Many dogs greet their owners with intense bursts of energy. Jumping, spinning, barking, and racing around in circles are all signs of overwhelming arousal. To us it can appear as pure joy and affection.
However, this behaviour is often driven by stress and anxiety.
The body releases adrenaline and cortisol which limit clear thinking and self control. The dog is not choosing a happy greeting they are simply overwhelmed with emotion.
These high arousal responses also trigger other stress related hormones such as norepinephrine and ACTH. These chemicals further increase vigilance and emotional intensity making it even harder for the dog to regulate their behaviour.
This emotional overload does not occur only during greetings at the door. The same intense anticipation may appear when getting ready for a walk, waiting for meals, expecting treats, seeking affection, or seeing other dogs during walks. Any moment the dog looks forward to can become overwhelming if they lack the skills to stay calm.
Over time this constant heightened state can lead to behavioural issues. Separation related problems, reactivity, frustration, intolerance, fearful and aggressive behaviour, poor impulse control, and difficulty settling inside the home.
What looks cute in the moment may actually reflect a dog that is struggling to feel safe and stable in daily life.
All dogs benefit from developing impulse control. Without it their world can feel chaotic and emotionally overwhelming.
By teaching calm greetings and calming anticipation we support emotional balance and confidence. This allows dogs to enjoy the moments without feeling out of control.
If you live in Hanoi and would like guidance on helping your dog feel calmer and more stable visit my website for information on how I can support you and your dog through this process.
If you are outside of Hanoi please seek a qualified trainer who specialises in behavioural concerns and uses a balanced approach to behaviour rehabilitation.
It is so important that we learn to truly understand our dogs rather than relying only on our own emotional interpretation of their behaviour.
By recognising how they actually feel and helping them remain calm we support the development of a more emotionally resilient psychologically stable and confident dog.
© Mark Singer
