Causes & reasons for a restless or stressed dog [Part 3]
Introduction
Restlessness and stress can be caused by a lack of rest or incorrect exercise. Dogs need more rest periods than humans do. A healthy, fully-grown dog spends an average of 18 hours a day snoozing. You can find out more about the need for rest and the urge to be busy in the other blogs in this series.
Table of contents
Overload versus underload
Dog people like to think that a busy dog hears better. It is understandable that exercise and activity with your dog is necessary and that boredom awakens many a problem behaviour in dogs. However, the reason for activity should not be exhaustion, but a healthy amount of stimuli, impressions, movement and opportunities for rest. An increased cortisol level awakens the urge for movement in the dog in order to metabolise the excess cortisol with the help of activity. A vicious circle is created: a stressed dog becomes a hyperactive dog that is stressed. Lack of rest and sleep leads to nervousness, lack of concentration and tension. As a dog person, the dog's behaviour leads to the assumption that the dog needs more exercise. Wrong! What such a dog needs is rest!
Lack of sleep is not only a consequence of stress, but also the origin of other health complaints and problem behaviour. As a dog person, it is your job to teach your dog to rest if your dog is not resting. This not only helps with general behaviour and health, but also promotes the processing of training, exercises and experiences.
How to recognise that your dog is over-excited in certain situations
- Your dog is barely responsive or no longer responsive at all
- You are hardly noticed and there is little orientation
- the muscles are tense and the ears are alert
- the dog does not lie down and is constantly on the move
- Despite exercise, your dog does not calm down
- your dog shows a lot of howling, whining, whining, barking, trembling
- often over-jumping behaviour such as biting the Leash, excessive digging, jumping nervously at people, etc.
- your dog shows no signs of tiredness and demands more exercise
- Food is refused
Rest and stress - what happens in the dog's body
It is important to understand that chronic stress in dogs can not only lead to unpleasant behaviour, but also to health problems. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of infections and even lead to serious illnesses such as heart disease and gastrointestinal problems.
It is therefore crucial that we give our dogs enough time to rest and sleep. Dogs need about 18 hours of rest per day, depending on their age, health and activity level.
If we overtax our dogs in stressful situations, e.g. through too much training, too many social interactions or too much overstimulation, this can lead to overload. By giving our dogs enough rest and relaxation phases, we can help them to feel more comfortable and balanced overall.
Reasons for restlessness in dogs - Stress dog
If we assume that your dog's needs have been met, other factors may be the reason why your dog is unable to calm down. It should be obvious that a lack of sleep and hunger lead to restlessness. A feeling of hunger can cause nervousness and reduce impulse control. We have already explained how nerve food can have a positive influence in our article on the Impulse control If your dog's diet is sufficient and he still tends to feel very hungry, you can mix dietary cellulose into his food in consultation with your vet to keep him feeling full for longer. Carbohydrates can also promote calmness. You can teach your dog to be calm, but there are other factors that play a role in your dog's condition, including hereditary factors and health reasons.
Disposition & unfavourable developmentGenetic disposition influences character and behaviour. A restless bitch can pass on this disposition genetically and also demonstrate restless behaviour in her puppies. If puppies and young dogs also receive poor or inadequate socialisation, this can have a negative effect on their general perception of stress. The combination of disposition and environment plays an important role in the rearing and subsequent puppyhood. |
RaceIn addition to our dogs' need for rest, the level of activity depends on the breed and character. It is no mean feat to activate a high-energy dog, such as a husky, terrier, Malinois, border collie, American pit bull terrier, etc., within a millisecond. These dogs are like a sports car that goes straight from 0 to 100. High-energy breeds are dogs that have been bred to be highly active. When training high-energy dogs, the main focus should be on impulse control and frustration tolerance. These two core skills are helpful for all dogs and are essential for high-energy breeds. |
Lack of frustration tolerance & impulse controlIn everyday life, a lot of impulse control is demanded of our dogs. You can find out what influences your dog's impulse control and how you can positively influence it in the impulse control blog. We also show you with 3 training sessions how you can improve impulse control in your dog. Beginners, Fadvanced und Profi can practise. When stressed, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol, among other things. If cortisol levels are too high, your dog will be unable to resist impulses. If your dog is unable to calm down, he will be less focused and show less self-control. The better your dog can resist impulses and cope with frustration, the better he will calm down. |
Unlearned calmKommt dein Hund nicht zur Ruhe, kann das daran liegen, dass dein Hund Ruhe nicht gelernt hat. Eine fehlende Sozialisation oder mangelnde Erfahrungen im Welpenalter und der Jundhundezeit können ein Grund für Unruhe sein. Ruhe kann gelernt werden, wenn biologische und gesundheitliche Gründe ausgeschlossen werden können. Wir zeigen dir Ruheübungen für innen und aussen. Ruhe langfristig in den Hundealltag zu integrieren ist mehr als nur etwas Training. Baue Ruheübungen regelmässig in deinen Alltag mit Hund ein und lasse sie zur Normalität werden. Ruhe ist kein Training, dass mit Leckerli geübt wird, sondern ein Lernprozess, der Anspannung zur Entspannung führt. Deinem Hund Ruhe beizubringen, bedeutet Grenzen zu setzen und Sicherheiten zu bieten. Ruheübungen können unterstützt werden von Bewegungen, die bei deinem Hund Konzentration und eine ausgeglichene Ausführung verlangen, anstatt die Bewegungsausdauer. Damit dein Hund seinem Bewegungsdrang nachgehen kann, kannst du folgende Bewegungen mit deine
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Background stressorsBackground stressors are everyday situations that lead to stress in dogs. These can be the general restlessness of a large family, a multi-dog household or situations on your walks. Background stressors keep your dog's stress level permanently high and prevent rest and relaxation. Noise, the weather, pain are background stressors. But illness, distancing between child and human are also stress problems. A change of food is also a background stressor. So everything in everyday life can cause discomfort in a dog over a longer period of time. |
Mood transferMirror neurons are responsible for what is known as mood transmission. Research into mirror neurons began in 1992 with the Italian researcher Giacomo Rizzolatti and his team using macaque monkeys and is still in its infancy today. Mirror neurons ensure that tendencies to act arise based on observation. This is primarily important for survival in groups or herds and therefore makes a lot of sense. If a herd animal detects an enemy, it runs off and the others will follow it. This makes it more difficult for the enemy to choose and hunt and ensures the survival of the herd members. Mirror neurons and mood transmission are existential for our survival. Mirror neurons are not only responsible for action patterns but, as the name "mood transmission" suggests, also for mood and emotions. Mood transfer is possible within species, e.g. between dog and dog, and between species, e.g. between humans and dogs. If you are stressed and restless, you unconsciously transfer this mood to your dog. Your dog perceives your restlessness through different signals: your posture, your voice, chemically through your sweat or also through your actions. If your dog does not calm down, the restlessness may be due to your current emotional state. |
HyperthyroidismThe thyroid gland is a small organ with a major influence on animals and humans. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate many processes in the body and influence the metabolism as well as nerve cells and brain activity. In humans, we know that the thyroid gland has a significant effect on physical and mental health. In the case of an underactive thyroid, the two hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine are produced to a greater extent. The consequences of an overactive thyroid include restlessness and nervousness. A blood sample can be taken to determine whether your dog has an overactive thyroid and what measures can be taken. |
HyperactivityHyperactivity is a diagnosis that describes a dog that has several symptoms of inappropriate sensitivity to stimuli and triggers. Unlike humans, there is not yet a clear diagnostic form for dogs. Compared to dogs of the same breed and age group, there are some symptoms that may indicate hyperactivity. If you suspect that your dog may have this, you should consult a dog behaviour therapist.
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Aids for lack of rest - dog does not come to rest
Calmness can be supported by various aids in addition to exercises. It is important to mention that aids promote calmness, but without training they are not effective. In our blog you will find effective calmness training with free training plans. The aids work on different levels. The effectiveness is different for each dog and must be tested individually for you and your dog.
Music
Music therapy is widely used in some areas in humans. Music can promote relaxation in dogs. Findings by Lindig et al (2020) suggest that animals (not just dogs) appear less stressed or anxious when exposed to classical music. To date, there is little research examining music and relaxation in relation to animals. Music can provide relief from anxiety in the home environment. In most studies, quiet time and duration of barking were assessed and measured as indicators of stress. Measured by cortisol levels and heart rate, classical music could induce calm. In addition to the genre, conditioning and association with experiences and the music can also have a good effect. If your dog always lies relaxed next to you while you listen to your favourite music, the positive experience can lead your dog to calm.
CBD
CBD can be used in many ways in dogs and humans as a natural supplement. Dogs have their own endocannabinoid system, which works in a similar way to humans. This system is responsible for maintaining balance in the body and plays an important role in regulating mood, pain, inflammation and many other processes. CBD is a natural substance extracted from the hemp plant and has many positive properties.Unfortunately, there is not much evidence that CBD has the same positive properties in dogs as in humans. However, it is believed that CBD can help dogs with pain, cramps, anxiety and stress, to support the immune system or against inflammation. But it is important to know that it is used as a support and not as a sole problem solver.
Herbs and fragrances
Herbs and scents can have a calming effect on dogs, especially when they are stressed and anxious. Chamomile, lavender and valerian are three herbs that are often recommended to help dogs relax. The herbs can be given to the dog through the food to work internally or as an essential oil through a diffuser. The herbs should be started during a calm phase. Use only high-quality and carefully prepared herbs and essential oils. Essential oils can have an irritant effect, especially when used in high concentrations or on sensitive skin. Seek advice for correct dosage and application.
RelaxoPet
The RelaxoPet is a device that emits specially tuned sounds for dogs, cats or horses, depending on the device. We could not find any evidence or studies that confirm the effectiveness of the RelaxoPet. Some dog people have already had good experiences, others noticed no difference. However, if we think of conditioned relaxation, you can use the RelaxoPet to condition relaxation without disturbing humans because the sounds are hardly perceptible to humans. If you set up the RelaxoPet at home in a quiet environment as a relaxation sound while the dog relaxes, after a while the RelaxoPet can also be used in stressful situations (e.g. when driving a car) without disturbing you.
Cyclène and Adaptil
Zylkène and Adaptil can be used as natural remedies to promote relaxation. Both remedies promote calmness in temporary, transient stressful situations.
Zylkène is made from skimmed milk. The calming effect is due to α-casozepine, which is produced in the intestines of puppies while they are digesting their mother's milk. α-casozepine in turn enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid). GABA is responsible for all functions related to emotions, including stress. Adult dogs no longer produce α-casozepine, but the effect remains. Zylkène therefore creates the familiar comforting feeling in adult dogs and helps them to react more calmly to stressful situations.
Adaptil is now available in different product forms: as a Collar, as tablets, as an atomiser for the socket or as a spray. Adaptil works in the form of pheromones. Pheromones are messenger substances that help dogs to obtain information about each other. A mother dog releases pheromones through her udder to give her puppies a feeling of safety and security. Adaptil sends these pheromones into your dog's environment and gives him a sense of security. The feeling of security in turn creates relaxation.
Thundershirt and Tellington TTouch body tape
In stressful situations, a Thundershirt can be a possible aid. Thundershirts are special tight-fitting T-shirts for dogs that exert a uniform compression on the body. This is intended to have a calming effect on the dog, similar to swaddling a baby. The compression of the shirt imitates a close touch, which is intended to give the dog a feeling of security and promotes the release of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.
The Tellington TTouch body band is more versatile than the Thundershirt, but requires a little more practice to put on. We recommend trying out both aids several times before using them in important situations. The calming effect depends heavily on the individual perception of the dog. Dogs that find items of clothing or Harnesses uncomfortable will also find wearing a Thundershirt or body band annoying.
Whether and to what extent the compression of the shirt or the body band calms your dog and reduces stress therefore depends on various factors and can vary depending on individual needs and sensations - from disturbing and stressful to calming and soothing.
Vitomalias Fazit
To summarise, there are many different factors that can cause a dog to be restless or stressed. A dog's predisposition and unfavourable development, as well as its breed, can play a role. A lack of frustration tolerance and impulse control, as well as unlearned calmness, can also be a cause of restlessness in dogs. Background stressors and mood transfer from the owner can also trigger stress. Hyperthyroidism or hyperactivity can be further reasons for restlessness and stress in dogs.
It is important to identify the individual cause of restlessness and take appropriate measures to help your dog to relax. This includes allowing him sufficient sleep and rest periods, as this can help to reduce stress and maintain his health. A balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient rest periods and relaxation, as well as targeted education and training can help to make a dog more balanced and stress-free.
However, it is also important to emphasise that every dog is unique and has individual needs, so if you are unsure how to help your dog reduce their anxiety, you should always consult a vet or a qualified dog trainer to get the best possible support for your dog.
What are the causes of restlessness and stress in dogs?
There are many possible causes, such as predisposition and unfavourable development, race, lack of frustration tolerance and impulse control, unlearned calmness, background stressors, mood transfer, hyperthyroidism or hyperactivity.
Should I give my stressed dog medication?
The decision as to whether medication is necessary for a stressed dog should always be made in consultation with a vet. There are many alternative methods that can help to reduce stress in a dog, such as relaxation techniques, aromatherapy or special training methods.
Can I give my dog too much rest and relaxation?
It is important that a dog gets enough exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and feel good. However, too much rest and relaxation can cause a dog to become bored and unhappy, so it is important to find a balance between rest and activity.
Should I keep my stressed dog away from other dogs?
It depends on the cause of the stress. If the dog has problems with other dogs due to socialisation or fear, it may make sense to keep it away from other dogs. However, if the dog is stressed due to loneliness or boredom, contact with other dogs can be helpful. However, it is always important to consider the dog's individual needs and act accordingly.