To ensure that our four-legged friends stay happy and healthy, it is important that they thrive in their everyday lives. An essential part of this is to provide your dog with enough stimulation, both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, sometimes a dog does not get the necessary activity they need, which can lead to understimulation. The result is an excess of energy that they will find an outlet for in other ways, for example by attacking shoes or furniture. We explain common signs of an understimulated dog , and what you as an owner can do!
Concrete signs that your dog is understimulated
1. Increased restlessness
If your dog seems restless and restless, it could be a sign that they are not getting enough mental or physical activity during the day. This can lead to destructive behaviors, such as chewing on the couch or destroying other things.
2. Excessive barking
An understimulated dog may start to bark excessively to try to get attention or express frustration. Not only is this a sign that the dog is stressed or unhappy, it can also be problematic for both you and your neighbors. This is especially common in breeds like the Border Collie.
Read why dogs bark and how to stop it .
3. Little interest in play
If your dog shows less interest in playing than usual or seems apathetic, it may be a sign that they are not getting enough stimulation and that they are simply bored.
4. Increased irritability
Understimulated dogs can become irritable and angry more quickly. This is especially true if you notice that they are suddenly irritable in situations where they would normally remain calm.
5. Chasing his own tail
Although it may seem funny and cute when a dog chases its own tail, this can actually be a destructive behavior that is often caused by understimulation. It is therefore important to work on breaking this habit while increasing the amount of mental stimulation. However, for puppies and young dogs, it is not a problem to occasionally chase their tail as part of play, as this is completely normal.
6. Abnormal sleep pattern
If your dog starts to change his sleep patterns and shows signs of restlessness at night, it may be related to understimulation during the day.
Note: These behavioral changes can also be an expression of other needs or symptoms of other illnesses. It is therefore important that you are sure that your dog is otherwise well. If you experience that your dog is showing these behavioral changes and you are unsure of the causes, it is time for a veterinary visit.
How to avoid an understimulated dog – daily stimulation and activation
The exact amount of mental and physical stimulation your dog needs to be happy depends largely on the breed. Working dogs like Collies and other herding dogs are particularly known for needing a lot of mental activity, as well as physical exercise. It is therefore important to provide your dog with a good mix of both physical and mental challenge to ensure they are happy and healthy.
Play and exercise
Invest in toys that challenge your dog's intellect and stimulate different senses. Activity toys , puzzles and treat dispensers are great options to provide an extra mental challenge. Set aside plenty of time for daily play and physical exercise with your four-legged best friend. Make sure to go for a walk every day, play fetch games or teach him new tricks that provide both physical and mental stimulation!
Socialization
Make sure your dog has the opportunity to meet other people and animals in a safe and controlled environment. Socialization is important to keep your dog mentally active and build trust with people and their surroundings.
Variety and mental challenge
Try to vary the environment and activities your dog participates in. This helps maintain curiosity and engagement. For example, you can let him solve problems by hiding treats around the house or yard, or offer special brain teaser toys .
An overstimulated dog is not a happy animal either.
Just as too little stimulation is not good for Fido, too much stimulation is not good either. An overstimulated dog will become accustomed to being busy and active all the time, and will struggle to calm down and relax. Often, it is well-intentioned on the part of the dog owner and just a desire to give the dog lots of stimulation, but it can be too much of a good thing.
Find balance and adjust your activity level
If you suspect that your four-legged friend is overstimulated, you can help him relax through relaxation exercises, such as massage. It is also important that the dog is not pressured to work too much and that walks are kept calm. Over time, the training can be adjusted to a more appropriate level.
Also remember that different dog breeds and individual personalities affect the need for stimulation, so it's important to find the right balance so your dog is happy!
