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Why Calming Your Dog Can Help Improve Behavior

blurry picture of black and white dog with mouth open in the grass with a swirling background

Ever feel like your dog’s auditioning for a role in “Chaos: The Movie”? One minute, they’re calm, and the next, they’re barking like they’ve seen a ghost or turning your living room into the Indy 500. It’s like they’ve had way too much caffeine—except they don’t drink coffee. What gives?


If your dog barks nonstop, jumps like a pogo stick, or goes from zero to wild in seconds (zoomies), overstimulation might be the reason. Dogs, like people, can get overwhelmed when too much is happening. That overload can lead to behaviors you’re trying to change—like lunging, biting the leash, or ignoring you.


Managing overstimulation isn’t about shutting things down. It’s about knowing when your dog’s cup is full and helping them reset before it spills. Keeping things calm helps your dog stay focused, which is a game-changer for behavior modification.


What Is Overstimulation in Dogs?

Overstimulation happens when your dog’s senses get overloaded—too many sounds, smells, sights, or excitement. It's like how you’d feel if you tried to sleep during a wild concert with blaring music, flashing lights, and a crazy crowd.


Overstimulation is common in places like dog parks, pet stores, or during a wild playdate. You might see:

  • Zoomies that don’t stop

  • Nonstop panting

  • Whining or barking

  • Trouble settling down, even when things quiet down


The Impact of Overstimulation on Behavior

According to a study published in the journal Animals (2020), high arousal levels in dogs negatively impact their ability to focus and learn during training sessions. Research shows that when dogs become overstimulated, they struggle to process information. Their brain shifts into “go-go-go” mode rather than “listen-and-learn” mode, making training ineffective and allowing undesirable habits to take over. 


Here’s how high arousal can interfere with a dog’s ability to learn:

Loss of focus: With high arousal levels, dogs may struggle to concentrate on the task due to a limited attention span.


Reduced self-control: Elevated arousal can make it harder for dogs to manage their impulses and respond to cues.


Mental overload: Excessive arousal can impair the brain’s ability to process and retain new information, making learning more challenging.


Increased stress: High arousal can activate the stress response, hindering learning and memory formation.


Overstimulation can lead to:

  • Anxiety

  • Reactivity or snapping

  • Difficulty focusing

  • Destructive behavior

  • Frustration that turns into barking, pulling, or even growling


A calm dog is a teachable dog, ready to focus and absorb information. When a dog is relaxed and attentive, it becomes much easier to introduce new cues, reinforce positive behaviors, and create lasting habits. A teachable dog builds new behaviors that stick, leading to a happier and more well-behaved companion.


How to Recognize Overstimulation in Your Dog

Not all overstimulation looks like chaos or loud, chaotic environments. Some signs can be quite subtle and easy to overlook. Here’s what to watch for and why it’s important to recognize these less obvious cues:


Obvious signs:

Barking or whining are common ways that dogs communicate their needs, whether they're feeling anxious, excited, or trying to get your attention. Recognizing these vocal cues is important because it allows you to understand what your dog needs in the moment, whether it’s reassurance, stimulation, or addressing discomfort. Ignoring these signals may lead to frustration or behavioral issues over time.


Pacing back and forth or spinning in circles can also be a form of communication, often signaling restlessness, anxiety, or excitement. Recognizing these patterns is crucial because they may indicate your dog is stressed, needs exercise, or is trying to express an unmet need. Early identification helps prevent escalation into more destructive behaviors or stress-related complications.


Jumping or mouthing are common in dogs, often used to seek attention, display excitement, or explore their environment. Mouthing, where a dog gently nibbles, bites, or holds onto objects, people, or other animals, is one way they interact or communicate. Understanding these behaviors helps you connect with your dog better, respond appropriately, and prevent these actions from becoming bigger issues or being misinterpreted.


Subtle signs:

  • Tense body

  • Ears pulled back or pinned

  • Dilated pupils

  • Quick movements or darting eyes

  • Won’t take treats


The Secret: Know When to Stop

Let’s say you're practicing “sit” in your backyard. Your dog is responding well, and things seem to be going smoothly. 


Suddenly, a neighbor’s dog starts barking. Your dog perks up, their ears go forward, they start whining, and the treat you’re holding is no longer interesting. Instead, your pup pulls toward the sound, completely focused on the other dog. 


At this point, training should halt or be modified to reflect the new distraction in the environment—your dog has gone over the edge, unable to concentrate or respond. This is a sign it’s time to pause, step back, and bring the energy down to help your dog regain focus and calmness before continuing. Breaks don’t mean stopping progress—they make progress possible.


Techniques to Reduce Overstimulation

Want a calmer dog? Start with their environment. A peaceful, structured space can do wonders for reducing stress and promoting better behavior.


Soft lighting or natural light: Use warm, dimmable lamps or light candles to create a relaxing atmosphere. If it’s daytime, open the curtains to let in natural light, but consider sheer curtains to soften the brightness. Avoid harsh, overhead lighting that can feel jarring.


Calming music: Play gentle, soothing music, like instrumental or nature sounds, at a low volume. Consider creating a playlist of relaxing tracks ahead of time or using a streaming service that offers pre-made calming playlists—this can help set the mood and reduce stress.


A cozy bed in a quiet corner: Arrange the bed with soft, clean bedding, plenty of pillows, and a warm blanket. Place it in a part of the room that feels quiet and secluded, away from distractions like electronic devices or loud areas. Add personal touches like a soft throw or a favorite stuffed pillow to enhance comfort. 


Reducing Overstimulation to Enhance Behavior Modification: Tips 

Keeping a consistent daily routine is key to a happy and well-adjusted dog. Try to stick to the same wake-up time, walk schedule, and mealtime daily. Dogs thrive on predictability, and knowing what to expect helps them feel secure. Set aside blocks of time for play and training, and stick to them—even if it’s just 15 minutes. Your pup will start to look forward to these moments and engage with you even more enthusiastically!


Not every dog is a social butterfly. Don't force playdates or interactions with other dogs or people. Instead, pay close attention to your dog’s body language—signs of stress like lip-licking, yawning, or turning their head away mean they might need a break. Always give them space when meeting new friends, whether furry or human. It’s better to go at their pace than to overwhelm them.


Provide your dog with calming outlets to help them healthily channel their energy. Slow, sniff-filled walks can work wonders for their mental stimulation and relax them. Introduce fun distractions like licking mats, puzzle toys, or even a gentle game of tug or fetch in short bursts. These activities entertain and provide a sense of accomplishment for your dog, leaving them more relaxed throughout the day.


Training is vital, but less is often more. Keep training sessions short and sweet—five to ten minutes is ideal. Dogs learn better in small doses, and overloading them can lead to frustration. After play or training, make sure they have plenty of time to rest and recharge—reward calm behavior with quiet cuddles, gentle praise, or even sitting together in peace. 


From Chaos to Calm

When your dog is relaxed, they can hear you. They can think. They can learn. Training “clicks” faster. Rewards feel more rewarding. And the bond between you grows stronger.

You’ll see better results in less time because your dog is in the right state to want to learn and process the information you are providing. That’s everything!


Overstimulation makes training harder and behavior worse. But with the right tools, routines, and a calm space, you can help your dog stay balanced. That means fewer outbursts and more success with behavior changes.


Watch how your dog reacts to their world. Adjust the chaos. Build in calm. Your dog’s behavior—and happiness—depends on it.


About Stephanie Barger, Canine Zen

Stephanie Barger is a dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety and behavior modification. She spent the early years of her career teaching humans before transitioning to dog training over a decade ago. Her passion is helping you and your dog live more harmoniously together.


The name of her business, Canine Zen, embodies her approach to life with our dogs. She recognizes that dogs are living, breathing, sentient, social beings that need human support, compassion, and understanding to live beside us in our strange human world. She shows people how to effectively communicate with their dogs and understand what their dogs are trying to say to them. She strives to provide a safe environment for dogs and humans to learn and thrive together without fear, pain, or judgment.


If your life with your dog is not what you anticipated and "nothing has worked" to change things, Stephanie can help you understand and work with your dog to achieve your goals and a better life together. She is an amazing teacher who works compassionately with humans and dogs and provides practical solutions for your dog training needs. Her goal is to calm the chaos in your home.


Feel free to contact Stephanie if you want to transform your relationship with your dog and create a more harmonious home. You can also ask questions in the comment box below. 


Free Discovery Call with Stephanie: https://train.caninezen.com/book-discovery-call-page


Stephanie and Canine Zen's links/handles:  


Stephanie’s Certifications/Organizational Affiliations:  


Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)  

Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA)  

Certificate of Completion-Aggression in Dogs Master Class  

Fear Free Certified Professional (FFP-Trainer)  

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)  

Member of the Association of Professional Trainers (APT)  

Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)  

Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG)  

Alignable Ambassador: Alliance of Central NM  

Alignable Group Co-Leader: Pet Industry Group  

Owner/Operator of Canine Zen LLC

 
 
 
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