My Dog Never Relaxes? 5 Key Ingredients to Help Your Dog Settle Down
Do you feel like your dog never relaxes? Are they constantly on the go, seemingly unable to settle down and restless? If so, you’re not alone. Many dog owners experience the frustration of living with a restless dog who just can’t seem to unwind or switch off.
Whether it’s constant pacing, barking, or the inability to be still for a long period of time, a dog that never relaxes can actually cause frustration for all parties involved.
Join me in this post as I share the five key ingredientsâmeeting needs with proper exercise and stimulation, implementing boundaries, adequate sleep, patience and consistency, and the wonders of a detoxâthat are crucial for guiding your dog to a place of peace and tranquillity.
My Dog Never Relaxes: Restless Dog Syndrome
Having a restless dog or one who can’t settle down can be very frustrating; one that paces around constantly, yo-yos up and down, pesters for attention and affection and regardless of how much they run around just don’t seem to shut off.
Watching a dog cycle through these behaviours on a daily basis can be very frustrating and also hard for many owners.
We want the best for our dogs, obviously, and seeing them in this state of restlessness constantly not only puts us on the edge with anxiety but also can make us feel guilty too.
My dog Jasper used to go through these motions constantly and of course my first thought was to increase exercise, run him around more, but even though that tired him out, he still wouldn’t be able to relax, in fact sometimes after big exercise sessions he’d seem a lot more restless than before.
Why Relaxation Is Important
On average dogs should get about 12-16 hours sleep a day! Obviously it depends on a number of factors that come into play but I tend to always tell people to aim for 13/14 hours sleep a day.
Not only do they need a decent amount of sleep but the quality of that sleep is so important! What you are looking for is high quality REM sleep where the body can repair, grow and detox the system of anything toxic such as stress.
If your dog never relaxes then chances are they also aren’t getting enough adequate sleep to eliminate those toxins from their body.
The key is to be able to bring these levels of stress down and then attempt to achieve proper rest and relaxation!
Common Causes of Restlessness
There are so many reasons a dog never relaxes. No dog has the same routine or lifestyle as another, but there are common factors that can increase levels of restlessness.
#1 – Medical Condition
Firstly and most importantly to always check is the fact it could be a medical issue.
Some dogs may have an issue that causes them pain. It’s very common for some dogs to struggle with lying down for periods of time due to pain.
As with the majority of issues, check with your vet to make sure there is nothing wrong with dog before continuing.
#2 – Too Much/Little Exercise
Next is exercise. This is a tough one because the obvious is that some dogs don’t get enough exercise but on the other hand some dogs are exercised too much.
The key is adequate exercise that helps in meeting a dogs needs.
Some owners believe that running their dog around franticallyâwhether through playing fetch or frequent trips to a dog parkâis sufficient exercise. However, these high-energy activities can sometimes lead to increased frustration rather than fulfillment. Itâs crucial to provide your dog with an adequate outlet that meets their individual needs and encourages calmness (you can find more about meeting your dogs needs in this post here).
Continuously running a dog around without rest, stimulation or without boundaries and structure will leave them in that frantic state of mind which is why some dogs are more strung up when they get back from being outside.
#3 – Lack of Stimulation
A lot of dogs who lack adequate stimulation especially throughout the day end of showing signs of restlessness and behavioural issues trying to relieve their boredom.
A lot of people confuse adequate stimulate with boredom busters such as Kongs, lick mats and snuffle mats. Although these are good methods of stimulation, if you have a dog that is highly strung these are just a part of the stimulation puzzle.
Dogs need more stimulation than having a frozen Kong during the day. Don’t get me wrong I love boredom busters and fully believe you should have these in your daily routine, they are great way for getting a dog ready to relax but don’t rely solely on these.
Activities that tap into natural instincts such as scatter feeding, sniffaris, scent work, tracking are amazing activities that are easy to do and fulfil that stimulation need.
#4 – Not Enough Rest
Dogs need a lot of rest, especially pups. In fact a lot of dogs don’t get the daily rest they need, a lot of the time because owners are trying to curb restlessness and behavioural problems with more activities.
Not getting enough adequate daily rest will lead to dogs being more restless and struggling to actually rest when it’s required. It’s a horrible cycle to get trapped in. I’ll delve a little deeper on this in the next section.
#5 – High & Chronic Stress
This is a very common reason for a lot of issues. A build up of stress can lead to behavioural issues, unpredictable behaviour and the inability to settle down.
If your dog never relaxes then it could be the chance they are too stressed out to relax (take a look at my blog post on trigger stacking for information on how stress can build up and what you can do about it).
High levels of stress, especially for dogs who struggle with self regulation, anxiety and reactivity must be addressed otherwise behaviours can get worse, more unpredictable and also lead to deeper health and mental issues.
#6 – Lack of Routine and Structure
Finally another common cause is lack of routine and structure.
Dogs thrive in routine and many will happily go along with routine but some dogs are a bit more pushy. They try doing what they want, when they want and this can lead to restlessness.
This is why having a routine is important and implementing structure is just as important for dogs who tend to push out of the routine.
For example after exercise and stimulation, many dogs will be ready to shut off and sleep. Others on the other hand will avoid sleeping, will pace around, pester for attention and find their own entertainment. These dogs literally will do anything to avoid relaxing, these are the dogs where you have to give structure; sending them to their crate, bed, another room or safe spot etc.
The Importance of Routine and Predictability
For dogs that seem like they never relax, one often overlooked factor is the lack of a consistent routine. Dogs, much like humans, thrive when they know what to expect each day. Without structure, they can feel anxious or unsure, leading to restless behaviors. Establishing clear routines for feeding, walks, playtime, and rest periods can help a dog feel more secure, making relaxation easier.
A predictable environment allows dogs to trust that their needs will be met, reducing the anxiety that might keep them constantly on edge. If your dog seems unable to settle, take a closer look at how structured their daily routine isâintroducing a more predictable schedule could be the missing ingredient in helping them relax.
My Dog Never Relaxes – 5 KEY Ingredients To Eliminate Restlessness
#1 – Stress Detox
As mentioned multiple times, if you have a dog that never relaxes then chances are stress is going to play a big part in that.
If you don’t work on reducing and eliminating those stress levels then you will struggle to get your dogs behaviour to change. If your dog stays chronically stressed then their behaviour will probably get worse slowly but surely.
This is where a stress detox comes in. By spending a period of time intentionally working on reducing and eliminating stress from your dog you then can start to work on achieving the desirable behaviour you’re seeking.
If you have a reactive dog then going on walks may not be the best idea if they continuously keep seeing triggers and struggle to regulate the stress from that.
The same goes for hyperactive dogs, continuously running them around trying to burn that energy could just end up making them more frantic and stressed.
By implementing a stress detox you take away the things that stress out your dog and replace them with activities that fulfil and meet your dog’s needs. Slowly over time you start to introduce activities back into your dog’s routine.
By reducing and eliminating the stress you are then able to make progress in training the issues you’re having trouble with.
Eliminating stress from a dog allows them to think clearer, make better decisions and allows for more rest and relaxation.
If a stress detox is something you’re interested in then you can download my FREE STRESS DETOX GUIDE that spans over 5 days to start reducing and eliminating your dog’s stress!!!
#2 – Meeting Your Dog’s Needs
It is crucial to meet your dog’s needs, as owners it’s a responsibility that we have to endure. Whether it be mental, physical or just drive fulfilment, meeting a dog’s needs is critical to having a balanced and well behaved dog.
Many people who have dogs that have behavioural issues such as reactivity, destructive behaviours, nipping, constant barking and anxiety, struggle to actually meet their needs.
Dogs who don’t have their needs met find ways to try fulfilling that need especially if it’s a breed trait. For example high drive working dogs such as border collies are popular as a family pet, but if that high drive isn’t met you can expect these dogs to âact outâ to fulfil themselves.
Make sure that you are providing your dog with adequate exercise and stimulation daily plus fulfilling any drive/breed related behaviours.
Adequate exercise and stimulation doesn’t mean go on longer walks and hope for the best especially if your dog gets stressed on walks due to triggers and experiences constant trigger stacking.
Exercise and stimulation must be intentional and work on meeting a dogs needs, especially for dogs that are under stress!
#3 – Deep Rest and Relaxation
Deep sleep is important for both dogs (and for us). Deep sleep is where the body recovers and grows.
Dogs need up to 14 hours sleep a day, yet many struggle to get this.
Many owners who struggle with their dogs behaviour will try adding more exercise and stimulation to their daily routine instead of looking at the rest and relaxation factor.
Adequate sleep where the dog hits REM sleep is essential for reducing and eliminating stress.
If a dog is too stressed then achieving this state of sleep is so much harder! Some dogs will need help to achieve this which may include forced relaxation and alone time.
Adequate exercise and stimulation throughout the day will help burn pent up energy and stress and allow for the beginning of deep sleep.
#4 – The Right Sleep Environment
Creating the right sleep environment is essential for helping your dog relax and unwind. A calm, secure space allows your dog to feel safe and promotes deeper rest. Here are some tips to establish an ideal sleep environment:
- Choose a Quiet Location: Place your dog’s bed or crate in a quiet area of your home, away from loud noises or high-traffic zones. This minimizes distractions and helps your dog feel more secure.
- Comfortable Bedding: Ensure your dog has comfortable bedding that suits their preferences. Some dogs prefer soft, plush beds, while others might enjoy orthopedic options that provide extra support. The right bed can make a significant difference in your dog’s willingness to settle down.
- Consistent Temperature: Keep the sleeping area at a comfortable temperature. If itâs too hot or cold, your dog may struggle to relax. Ensure they have a cozy blanket for colder nights.
- Limit Distractions: Reduce visual distractions by covering windows or using curtains. If your dog tends to react to noises outside, consider using white noise machines or calming music to create a more serene atmosphere.
- Establish a Sleep Routine: Like humans, dogs thrive on routine. Establish a consistent bedtime routine that signals to your dog itâs time to wind down. This could include quiet time, gentle petting, or a short calm walk to help them transition into relaxation.
#5 – Patience and Consistency
As with anything when it comes to our dogs, patience and consistency is a major factor.
The changes you want will take time, especially if your dog has lived in these levels of stress and arousal for a while.
If your dog never relaxes then you have to be consistent with your structure and even boundaries. This allows them to fall into a routine and feel more comfortable.
If you lack patience in times like this then you can actually become a stressor for your dog. Be patient, calm but also don’t be a pushover when it comes to setting structure and boundaries.
Being clear, consistent and patient with your dog will allow them to feel a lot more comfortable and will also help when it comes down to rest and relaxation.
Final Thoughts
If your dog never relaxes then you need to make sure that you have all 4 key factors to help reduce restlessness and allow for proper rest and relaxation.
A stress detox is always a good idea (for both dog and owner) for resetting the dial, allowing proper rest, rebuilding that relationship and also allowing you to have a good baseline if you’re struggling with behavioural issues.
Do you have any experience with a dog that never relaxes? Comment below and share any other tips you’ve found to help others!
