Self Regulation

For years many of us were taught that a “good dog” was a tired dog. Walk them more. Throw the ball more. Keep them busy. Burn them out.

But what I’ve learnt over the years is that exhaustion and regulation are not the same thing.

A dog can be physically exhausted… while their nervous system is still completely overstimulated.

Self-regulation is a dog’s ability to return back to calm after excitement, stress, frustration, fear, or stimulation. It’s their ability to process the world without constantly living in a heightened state.

Some dogs naturally regulate better than others, while some dogs genuinely struggle with it — especially in today’s fast paced, high stimulation environments.

Many dogs are constantly flooded with:

• noise

• movement

• visitors

• constant entertainment

• repetitive ball throwing

• busy environments

• lack of quality sleep

• unpredictable routines

• constant adrenaline based play

• pressure to always be “on”

Over time this can create dogs that almost become addicted to adrenaline and stimulation. They struggle to settle because their nervous system forgets how.

A dysregulated dog doesn’t always look aggressive or “naughty.”

Often it looks like:

• pacing

• panting when not hot

• constantly watching everything

• barking at every sound

• inability to fully relax

• obsessive toy behaviour

• reacting instantly to movement

• whining

• inability to cope with frustration

• restless sleep

• hyper vigilance

• struggling to calm after walks or visitors

• inability to settle after ball play

• constantly seeking stimulation

• “tired but wired” behaviour

One of the most underrated forms of regulation for dogs is sniffing.

Sniffing is not “doing nothing.”

It is incredibly important nervous system work.

When dogs sniff:

• breathing slows

• heart rate can lower

• cortisol may reduce

• they process information about their environment

• they engage instinctive calming behaviours

• the brain works in a calmer, more thoughtful state

This is why slow decompression walks where dogs are allowed to sniff freely can often be far more regulating than intense structured walks or endless fetch.

For some dogs, 20 minutes of deep sniffing is more mentally fulfilling than an hour of overstimulation.

Licking and chewing can also be regulating behaviours.

This is why many dogs relax after:

• lick mats

• chewing natural treats

• enrichment toys

• foraging for food

• shredding cardboard safely

• sniffari style walks

These activities activate calmer parts of the nervous system and allow dogs to naturally decompress.

Rest is another huge piece people underestimate.

Many dogs today are actually chronically overtired.

Dogs who constantly follow owners around, monitor the environment, react to noises, or stay in busy households often never fully switch into deep restorative rest.

Some dogs genuinely need help learning how to rest.

This is one reason crate training can actually be incredibly helpful for regulation when done properly and positively.

We crate trained both our dogs and Pudsey is now 10 years old and still uses his crate regularly.

If I nip to the shops or go out for the day, we will put him into his crate and you can physically see him switch off in there. He will actually properly sleep.

If we don’t, he will often sit at the front door staring and waiting the entire time until we get home.

Pudsey actually has the tendency to become dysregulated if it isn’t monitored and supported properly.

For him it can look like:

• panting when he isn’t hot

• constantly watching every movement

• following us room to room

• whining

• struggling to fully settle

• remaining hyper aware of the environment

Without support, some dogs almost stay in a constant “on duty” state where their nervous system never fully relaxes.

For Pudsey, the crate became more than “training.” It became a safe predictable space where his body and nervous system finally switch off enough to deeply rest.

I think sometimes people underestimate how exhausting it can be for dogs constantly living in a heightened state of awareness.

Some dogs don’t necessarily need more stimulation.

Sometimes they simply need help feeling safe enough to truly relax.

A good crate should never feel like punishment.

It should feel:

• safe

• calm

• predictable

• quiet

• comforting

For many dogs it helps:

• lower overstimulation

• encourage deep rest

• reduce hyper vigilance

• teach an off switch

• create emotional safety

Another important part of regulation is allowing dogs appropriate choice and decompression where possible.

Not every walk needs perfect heel work.

Not every moment needs obedience.

Not every interaction needs excitement.

Sometimes allowing dogs to:

• stop and sniff

• walk slower

• observe from a distance

• choose to disengage

• rest without interruption

• say “no” to interaction

…can massively help nervous system regulation and confidence.

Regulation is not about shutting dogs down.

It’s about helping them feel safe enough mentally and physically to return back to calm.

Sometimes without realising it, we can accidentally reinforce dysregulation.

Examples can include:

• constantly throwing the ball the second the dog demands it

• hyping dogs up when they are already overstimulated

• constant high intensity play

• never teaching calmness

• always filling silence with stimulation

• rewarding frantic behaviour with attention

Many dogs now live in a near constant state of anticipation.

But calmness is a skill too.

Some of the best ways to encourage self regulation are:

• rewarding calm behaviour

• creating predictable routines

• encouraging deep rest

• allowing decompression days

• sniff walks over overstimulation

• calm enrichment activities

• reducing constant adrenaline spikes

• teaching dogs how to simply “be”

• not constantly entertaining them

• using slower calmer energy ourselves

• giving dogs safe quiet spaces

• allowing recovery time after excitement

Dogs also co-regulate with us more than people realise.

They observe:

• our tone

• body language

• stress levels

• movement

• tension in the home

Fast chaotic environments can keep sensitive dogs heightened. Calm predictable homes help dogs feel safe enough to soften.

A well regulated dog is not necessarily the most obedient dog.

It’s often the dog who can:

• recover after stress

• settle deeply

• cope with frustration

• feel excitement without losing control

• exist calmly without constant stimulation

Sometimes the goal isn’t to make dogs more excited, social, or stimulated.

Sometimes the goal is simply helping their nervous system feel safe enough to breathe. 🐾

#DogBehaviour #DogRegulation #CanineWellness #DogNervousSystem #SniffWalks #CalmDogs #DogEducation #HolisticDogs #PawsomeGrub #CanineHealth