Why busy isn’t always better
We live in an age of activity. Our dogs go to daycare, agility, scent work, beach runs, and park playdates. Social media tells us to ‘enrich more,’ ‘train daily,’ and ‘burn off energy.’ Yet, beneath the overload of advice, many modern dogs are quietly exhausted – not from too little exercise, but from too much stimulation.
Overstimulation isn’t about doing too much physically; it’s about asking the nervous system to stay switched on for too long. And just like people, dogs who never truly rest can begin to show anxiety, reactivity, and unpredictable behaviour, which often gets mislabelled as ‘bad manners’ or ‘training failure.’
The neuroscience of calm
At its simplest, a dog’s nervous system operates between two modes: arousal (the ‘on’ state, preparing for action) and rest-and-digest (the recovery state, where the body repairs and the brain processes information).
Many modern routines keep dogs in near-constant arousal: from early-morning ball throws to high-intensity play and fast-paced obedience work. Each activity releases adrenaline and dopamine, powerful chemicals that make the dog feel good in the moment but can leave them unable to self-regulate afterwards.
Over time, dogs who live in that high-arousal loop can lose the ability to settle; they may pace, bark, or demand constant attention. What looks like endless energy is often a stress response, not joy.
Just as human athletes build rest days into their schedules, dogs need space for their bodies and minds to come back into balance.
Excitement ≠ happiness
We often confuse excitement with happiness with a wagging tail, a bark, or zoomies seeming like joy. However, arousal and joy are not the same thing.
A calm dog is not a bored dog. In fact, a calm dog is one who feels safe enough to rest, to observe, and to simply be. True wellbeing isn’t measured by how fast a dog runs or how many toys they have; it’s measured by their ability to relax, nap, and recover between bursts of activity.
Rest builds learning
Calmness isn’t just good for behaviour; it’s essential for learning. When a dog is overstimulated, the part of their brain responsible for decision-making and memory (the prefrontal cortex) effectively switches off. They can’t process new information or respond thoughtfully.
Rest and sleep, on the other hand, consolidate learning. During deep rest, the brain literally reorganises and stores the day’s experiences. Dogs who sleep well and enjoy structured downtime are more responsive in training, quicker to learn new skills, and less likely to show frustration or fear-based reactions.
So when you build ‘training time’ into your dog’s routine, remember: rest is part of that training too.
The art of doing less
Helping a dog learn to be calm isn’t about deprivation; it’s about teaching regulation. Here are a few gentle ways to begin:
- Slow your walks
Allow sniffing, pausing, and exploring. Sniffing lowers heart rate and releases calming neurochemicals; it’s the dog’s version of mindfulness. - Replace ‘burning energy’ with ‘using the brain’
Low-arousal enrichment (lick mats, scatter feeding, scent puzzles) encourages focus without the adrenaline spikes. - Create a safe space
A consistent resting area, ideally in a quiet part of the home, helps the nervous system associate that spot with calmness. - Encourage decompression days
Every few days, skip the high-energy playdates or agility class. Go for a slow sniff walk, cuddle, or simply stay home. - Model calmness yourself
Dogs mirror our energy. Soft tones, slow movements, and predictable routines help them settle more easily.
Behaviour problems or burnout?
Many common ‘problem behaviours’ – barking, leash reactivity, overexcitement, attention-seeking – are symptoms of emotional overload, not disobedience. When we meet these behaviours with more activity (‘He just needs to get it out of his system’), we often feed the very stress we’re trying to relieve.
The solution is counterintuitive: less stimulation, more structure, and permission to rest.
When dogs learn to decompress, they become more resilient and adaptable.
Calm as an act of care
The best gift we can give our dogs isn’t constant excitement; it’s emotional balance. Rest is where trust grows. It’s where the nervous system learns safety.
So the next time you feel pressure to do more with your dog – more enrichment, more training, more outings – pause and ask: does my dog really need this, or do they need quiet?
Sometimes it’s okay to do nothing at all!
