02/02/2023
Great information to keep in mind
Repost but such an important message.
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This needs a bit of explanation....and yes every dog is different, however way too many dogs are OVER exercised which leads to no off switch and a dog we see as needing MORE exercise (which is the total opposite of what should happen).
That "smile" on a heavily exercised dog....can mean the complete opposite.
Highly stressed dogs "smile".
Isn't more exercise the answer to a high energy, over aroused, ball obsessed dog ? No....in fact the opposite is true. This dog needs to be taught to have an off switch.
Exercising a dog too much leads to over arousal. Though this is often read as "needs more !"
Over aroused dogs are stressed....and yes, over exercised dogs are also stressed.
You will maybe notice these changes when playing ball again and again or if your dog has been playing with another for too long.....your dog may become over aroused.
Over arousal refers to a dogβs level of excitement. A highly aroused dog will be very excited, will have a faster heartrate and respiration, may not listen....(and importantly) poor impulse control.
This dog may have dilated pupils, pant excessively, jump over and over at you or on you (or other dogs). They may be more mouthy or grabby. Over aroused dogs can become fixated, obsessive ......wanting that ball thrown again and again.
That is when playing should stop.
However often these signs are taken by humans as "needs more exercise" because the hyper behaviour is mistaken for energy needing to be "burned off"......
no...it needs to stop.
If you continue to allow an over aroused dog to play or exercise... all you are doing is creating a dog that has no off switch, a dog that cannot regulate its energy or emotions.
A dog that CANNOT calm itself down easily.
This dog may become βlocked onβ or fixated on an activity or dog, and stares at the object of his/her obsession, barking, vocalising, spinning in circles, running in circles or pacing.
Highly aroused dogs are stressed.
Stress causes physical changes in your dog.
Hormones are released and often these are the same hormones that trainers do so much work to help dissipate...Cortisol especially is at unwanted and at unhealthy levels with over aroused dogs. Dogs with high Cortisol may be showing this stress as pacing, reactivity, unable to settle, jumpy, mouthy, barky, constantly trying to engage with us.....and again some people see this as " needs MORE exercise".
No....your dog is amped up, wired and cannot calm down.
A physically exhausted dog STILL has those hormones racing through their body....they are just physically exhausted. Their brain is still frazzled.
Cortisol and other stress hormones can stay in a dog for days or longer, however with over aroused dogs it stays HIGH when the very next day or evening....you take your dog to the park again for a round of fetch.....flooding your dog with more hormones.
You may be (inadvertently) creating an overly stressed dog that cannot switch off....a dog that shows this as "excess energy" when not getting exercise or play....when the reality is your dog has Cortisol and Adrenaline surging through its system.
This dog NEEDS calm, not more exercise.
Cut down on those overly arousing activities. Keep fetch or frisbee play to a minimum, maybe only once a week. Maybe give the "play dates" or dog park a miss for a while...or at the least cut right down.
Add in MENTAL stimulation. I promise you they will tire your dog out MORE than being over aroused. Start engaging your dogs brain with puzzles, seek games, sniff games....you dont need expensive puzzle toys...a paper towel inner, some kibble and a cardboard box can make a great puzzle.
Yes...all dogs are different and have different exercise needs but regardless of breed over exercised, over aroused STRESSED dogs need a break from all those hormones surging...they do not need more exercise.
After a long walk/run or visit with another dog....immediately pop them away for a sleep, this can help to switch off a dogs energy and stop those hormones.
I promise you....if you cut down on overly exercising your dog, add in some puzzles to engage their brain, and remove what objects cause those extreme emotions .... you will see a calmer dog.
