When we consider behaviour, we must ask what is happening inside the dog. A dog who behaves calmly and appears content usually feels the same way. In contrast, a frantic dog is likely experiencing an internal reaction that leads to panic, fear, or some form of stress.
Eustress vs. Distress
There are two types of stress that a dog may experience.
The first is beneficial and aids learning, known as eustress.
Peak performance is achieved in a state of eustress—when the dog experiences just the right amount of environmental pressure to carry out an important task to the very best of their ability.
Eustress is why a mum can lift a heavy car off her child after an accident, or a nervous public speaker can deliver an outstanding presentation.
The second type of stress occurs when the dog cannot cope with environmental triggers and enters a state of distress.
It might be easy to assume that distress is shown by an obviously scared or unhappy dog, but in many cases, this isn’t so. Distress is also manifested through hyper-arousal and animation. The frantic dog could be living in a body that is continually exposed to excessive stress hormones, leaving him unable to control his behaviour.
The Stress Response in Dogs
The stress system in dogs is quite similar to that of humans. We both react to stressors with a fight, flight, or freeze response.
For a dog, the fight response may involve barking and attempting to scare something away; flight might involve hiding or trying to run away, while freezing is linked to emotional shutdown or learned helplessness.
Dogs may also exhibit playful or goofy behaviour when stressed—jumping up, mouthing hands, and generally acting silly—to try and dissipate the tension they are experiencing. This is not a training issue but a welfare issue.
The physiological stress reaction is universal, but when experienced regularly, stress hormones are continually produced, preventing the dog from ever fully relaxing.
As a result, the dog’s other systems, such as digestion, immunity, and general hormonal regulation, slow down, as the body prioritises dealing with what it perceives as a direct threat.
Why Some Dogs Become Frantic
It’s essential to remember that dogs are individuals. What worries one dog may not bother another, and not all highly aroused dogs are stressed—some may simply be bored and in need of an outlet for their energy.
Each dog that shows heightened arousal levels may do so for one or several reasons.
Genetic Influence
Domestic dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are content to snooze the day away, while others need daily activities that burn off their energy, allowing them to rest properly and truly, deeply relax.
The broad range of canine needs and behaviours is, in part, based on the diversity of dog breeds and their individual genetic influences and personalities.
Artificial Selection and Breeding
The next stage in the evolution of the domestic dog was significant. Humans realised that dogs could assist with tasks such as obtaining food and guarding possessions.
We may have even befriended them at this point, simply treating them as companions. We began to interfere in their reproduction, marking the start of artificial selection.
Choosing the mother and father of a litter of puppies influences the traits of the puppies, so we selected for the qualities we wanted to enhance. For example, sighthounds were bred for their speed and ability to catch prey, while scent hounds were bred for their tracking ability over distance.
This brief history of how the domestic dog’s ancestor evolved into the many breeds we recognise today is relevant to every dog. It explains why working breeds have been finely tuned over thousands of years to perform specific tasks.
We cannot expect them to live quietly in a home without mental stimulation. If we do, they may develop hyper-arousal, obsessive behaviours, and habits we consider problematic.
In many cases, we’ve created dog breeds prepared for a busy lifestyle, only to expect them to live quietly and peacefully in our homes without the mental exercise they need.
We can also fall into the trap of believing that long walks are enough or that playing fetch will tire them out. While this may work, if their mental energy is not expended, we risk creating an athlete dog with excessive, untapped mental energy.
Physical fitness combined with unused mental energy is one of the most likely routes to hyper-arousal. A body and mind bursting with excess energy are not conducive to relaxation or true rest.
Lifestyle Contributors to Frantic Behaviour
Lifestyle contributors to frantic behaviour may include excessive physical exercise, environmental triggers, fears, and sensitivity to various stimuli. Diet also plays a crucial role in canine behaviour, particularly in cases of hyper-arousal.
Stress causes a dysregulated nervous system that can also lead to over stimulated behaviour.
Activities like scentwork and enrichment can help an aroused dog relax, much easier than lots of extra walking which just tires the body but doesn't really use the finer areas of their mind. Sniffling for food can create a relaxation response.
It's really important that we look at what a dog actually needs before we start trying to change their behaviour.
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