24/08/2025
In dog training, we often hear terms like "overaroused" and "hyperaroused."
The problem is that these words can end up pathologizing behaviour that is actually normal. When a dog is excited, playing, running around, not listening to their handler because they want to play with their friends, barking, or doing any other thing that is typical dog behaviour, even if it looks “over the top” to us, calling it hyperarousal can make people think there’s an issue when there isn’t.
Hyperarousal is a very real physical and mental state where the fight-or-flight system gets stuck in overdrive, even without a true threat. It means being on edge, always alert, with your body and mind running too fast and too loud. In humans, it shows up in conditions like PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia. It’s a serious state, not just a casual way to describe a dog who is “too excited.”
Of course, some dogs do experience this as part of bigger health or behavioural diagnoses. And more dogs are being diagnosed with anxiety and other conditions. But at the same time, many happy, excited dogs are now being described as hyperaroused.
Normal dogs jump. They bark. They do zoomies. They might be mouthy. They might not want to stop playing fetch. They may tune out when they’re with their dog friends, and in those moments they might look wild and over the top. They can frustrate us, make us feel like all our training has disappeared, wear us out, maybe even make us cry.
But that still isn’t hyperarousal. It’s just normal behaviour. What it really reflects is what we as humans tolerate, or don’t.
Dog behaviour rarely lines up neatly with what we think is “acceptable.” Normal dogs eat poo. They hump for fun. They sniff and lick each other’s bums. They eat vomit, or guard it if they don’t. They pull underwear out of the laundry basket in front of guests, they counter surf and eat entire steaks. And they do these things because it works for them. On one hand, people love to imagine they’re living with wolves and leading packs. On the other, they dislike a lot of dog behaviour, especially when it’s inconvenient or when they’re not the centre of the dog’s world.
So, when dogs run like maniacs and want the ball thrown for the 50th time, instead of accepting them for who they are, we sometimes reach for labels. When we use terms like hyperarousal, we risk turning normal behaviour into something that looks pathological. And normal dog behaviour, even if it doesn’t suit us, isn’t automatically a problem.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t teach dogs not to jump on grandma, or that we can’t be grossed out when they eat the neighbour’s cat’s p**p. But framing normal behaviour as a disorder can be misleading.
This is where clarity matters. Trainers can raise concerns about real issues such as compulsive disorders, anxieties, and the like. We can notice when behaviours may point to something more serious. But we cannot diagnose. If we do see signs of genuine hyperarousal, the right next step is always referral to a veterinarian.
If a trainer tells a client their dog has anxiety because the dog “seems stressed,” or says a dog has compulsive disorder because they want to play fetch, or declares a dog is hyperaroused simply because they’re very excited, that crosses into territory outside the scope of training. A good comparison would be a teacher suggesting a medical diagnosis for a child, or a dental hygienist recommending a root canal. Those are roles best left to the professionals trained for them.
When we look at intense breeds, we should also expect intensity. Malinois are laser-focused. Border collies don’t want to quit. ACDs are gritty and determined. Using terms like hyperarousal without being clear on the difference between natural intensity and an acute stress response blurs the line between normal and clinical.
Yes, happy and excited, working and intense dogs can be aroused. But when we add qualifiers like "over" or "hyper," it suggests the dog’s behaviour is above what is normal in that moment. That risks pathologizing what may just be energy or excitement. If you suspect true hyperarousal, that’s a medical concern and should be referred to a vet. But if the term comes up simply because a dog is excited, playful, or intense, it may reflect our perspective more than the dog’s reality.
By being thoughtful with language, we can better support both dogs and clients, keep clinical terms where they belong, and still address behaviours that need management or training without suggesting there’s something “wrong” with the dog.
