You Can’t Train a Dysregulated Dog: Why Foundations Matter More Than Obedience
Most people try to train their way through every challenge — but if you’re working with a dysregulated dog, that strategy will only get you so far.
Before you can build reliable behaviour, you need to rebuild stability. That means focusing less on “obedience” — and more on regulation, resiliency, fulfilment, engagement and trust.
Because training doesn’t work when your dog is already dysregulated. If their nervous system is overwhelmed, nothing sticks. It may seem like stubbornness a lot of the time, but it's because their brain literally can’t take it in.
It’s not until we start focusing less on “obedience” and more on regulation that we finally break the exhausting cycle that many people get stuck in...
Stress → Reactivity → More training → More stress → Burnout.
In this post, I’ll dive into why training doesn’t stick with dysregulated dogs, how to rebuild the right foundation step by step, and what really needs to come before the drills.
The Foundation Pyramid: Why Training Comes Last
Most people try to train their way out of chaos, but persistent chaos is usually a sign of a broken foundation.
Trying to train on top of a broken foundation with a dysregulated dog is like trying to build on top of game of jenga with that friend who understands the laws of physics (but imagine that friend is your dog's nervous system)...it's only a matter of time until it collapses.
The real magic? It happens in the bottom layers — the quiet, consistent habits that rebalance your dog from the inside out.
Let’s break each one down…
#1 - Safety: The Missing Ingredient Behind Most “Behaviour Problems”
You don't teach safety. You create it.
And for many dogs — especially those who tend to be reactive, anxious, or more hyper-alert — safety could be something that has been missing for a long time.
Now, don't shoot me okay...
This doesn’t mean your home is unsafe. It means your dog doesn’t feel safe — and that distinction matters.
Dogs that don’t feel safe:
Overreact to small triggers
Startle easily
Struggle to settle
Avoid eye contact or touch
Bark at new people, dogs, sounds, or even routine events
Safety is about predictability and the only way to create that is with consistency.
It’s about helping your dog feel secure in their environment, routines, in their day to day lives.
And until they have that?
They’ll be living on edge — no matter how many training sessions you do.
Start here:
Stick to a simple, predictable routine
Give your dog choices that don't interfere with boundaries (where to lie, when to engage)
Avoid unnecessary pressure (forcing greetings and outings they aren't prepared for)
Use decompression walks in calm areas instead of stressful environments
Build trust with low-stress, consent-based interactions
#2 - Structure: Clear Expectations Without Control Freak Energy
A lot of reactive dogs aren’t “badly behaved” — they’re often confused, overwhelmed, and constantly in a state of conflict.
They don’t know what’s expected of them.
Or they’ve learned that rules change depending on who’s around.
Or they’ve developed patterns (like barking or lunging) that worked — so they keep doing them.
Dogs thrive with structure. Not rigid rules. [Definitely] not micromanagement. But clarity.
Structure is:
Consistent cues
Predictable boundaries
Routines that create rhythm
Environments that are set up for success
It helps your dog understand:
“This is what I can expect. And this is what’s expected of me.”
Without it, they’re constantly trying to figure out the world — and that’s exhausting. Especially for dysregulated dogs.
Start here:
Use the same cue every time (don’t mix “wait” with “stay” with “hold on”)
Keep your tone neutral and predictable
Use structure through the day to make time for sleep (even if it's forced to start)
Add something in their day that speaks to their soul (tug, scent work, dig pit)
Practice short, structured decompression time after walks or meals
Use structure on walks to control arousal levels
Limit chaotic environments and energy — no, your dog doesn’t need to go to a beer garden
Structure builds trust. And trust is what helps your dog stop trying to control everything themselves.
#3 - Rest & Decompression: The Non-Negotiables That No One Prioritises
You’ve heard “a tired dog is a happy dog,” right?
Well, I disagree. A dysregulated dog is already tired. Just not in a healthy way.
We chase exhaustion, hoping it’ll bring calm, but end up causing overstimulation and stress in the process which only lead to burnout.
What we really want is a relaxed dog, because a relaxed dog? Is a fulfilled dog.
That doesn’t come from doing everything under the sun to burn them out.
It comes from guiding them into a state of calm relaxation — not chasing exhaustion.
That means meeting their needs every day, consistently and intentionally:
✅ Physical outlets
✅ Mental stimulation
✅ Time to decompress
✅ Structure and predictability
✅ Real rest
Not just lobbing a tennis ball for an hour and wondering why they’re still wired at home...
Rest doesn’t just happen. For some dogs, it has to be:
Enforced gently with structured down time (including wind-down routine)
Supported by routine
Prioritised like any other training goal
Decompression is the space your dog needs to let their nervous system settle and reset.
It’s not just about the sleep — it’s time away from pressure, triggers, overstimulation, and decisions (how nice does that sound though).
Start here:
Create calm time daily (no interaction, soft music, crate/pen, etc.)
Prioritise rest after walks or training sessions
Use sniffing and slow enrichment over high-arousal games
Cap social interactions — dogs don’t need to meet everyone, especially for now
A dog that rests well is a dog that recovers well. And recovery is what builds resilience.
#4 - Outlets & Enrichment: The “Fix” Most Dogs Are Missing
Most people see behaviour as a training issue, but a lot of the time its a drive issue.
If your dog’s brain and body have needs that aren’t being met — they’ll find a way to meet them.
That’s where the destruction, barking, lunging, chasing, chewing, digging pacing, and other behavioural issues often come from.
Every dog needs an outlet.
Terriers need to dig and rip
Scent hounds need to sniff
Collies need to stalk and move things
Shepherds need tasks and purpose
If you’re not fulfilling their needs? You’re bottling pressure that will leak out into everyday life until it explodes elsewhere.
Start here:
Offer daily scentwork (sniffing in long grass, scatter feeding, find-it games)
Use enrichment boxes, digging pits, food puzzles, and safe destructibles
Provide breed specific outlets where possible
Let them “do the thing” in a healthy, controlled way
When a dog is fulfilled, they’re regulated.
They’re less likely to overreact — because their needs are being met, not ignored. That pressure and frustration that currently lingers over your dog and clouds their judgement? That disappears when you start giving them activities that make them feel good.
Want to learn how to meet your dog’s needs without overstimulating them?
👉🏾 [Grab my FREE Outlets Guide] — it breaks down the most effective, regulation-friendly ways to give your dog purpose, fulfilment, and a proper release for their natural instincts.
#5 - Training: The Cherry On Top — Not the Whole Cake
Training isn’t how you fix a problem. It’s how you rebuild the cracks in the foundations that fixes the problem.
Once your dog feels safe, has structure, knows how to rest, and is being mentally and physically fulfilled…
Then you can train.
Because now?
They’re not running on cortisol.
They’re not reacting from panic.
They have the capability to take a thought before reacting
They’re actually capable of learning.
Training without this foundation is like trying to teach algebra to a sleep-deprived child...in a burning classroom.
Why This Matters for Reactive, Anxious, and “Difficult” Dogs
If you’re living with a reactive, overwhelmed, “hard to reach”, or dysregulated dog — this is everything.
Because those dogs?
They often don’t need more pressure.
They need more understanding.
They’re not struggling because you’re not strict enough or they need a stronger hand.
They’re struggling because their nervous system is in overdrive, they're struggling to understand anything.
Regulation makes training possible.
And yet it’s the thing most people skip...
If this post hit home, my FREE 5-Day Stress Detox Protocol is made for you.
It walks you through exactly how to help your dog reset their nervous system so you can start building real, lasting progress — not just temporary obedience.
Because training is important.
But regulation is essential.
You don’t need to train harder. You just need to start in the right place.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to regulation.
No amount of obedience drills, impulse control games, or extra walks will fix what’s rooted in a dysregulated nervous system.
If your dog is struggling to settle, think beyond “training harder” — and start building smarter.
Meet their needs consistently.
Prioritise decompression and rest.
Lay the groundwork for real emotional balance.
Because when the foundation is strong, everything else becomes easier — behaviour, focus, connection, progress...life!
Frequently Asked Questions - Understanding Dysregulation
Dysregulation is usually caused by chronic stress, overstimulation, lack of rest, inconsistent routines, unmet needs, or unresolved trauma. Triggers can include noisy environments, unpredictable handling, excessive socialisation, and so much more. When the nervous system is overwhelmed, dogs can struggle to cope with everyday situations — leading to behaviours like barking, reactivity, or hyperactivity.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — some dogs may bounce back in a few hours, others might take days or even weeks depending on how long they’ve been dysregulated and whether their needs are being met. If left unaddressed, dysregulation can become a chronic state. That’s why creating calm, structured, and "needs based" routines is so important — it gives the body and brain a chance to reset.
Dysregulation isn’t a behaviour issue — it’s a nervous system state. A dysregulated dog can’t make good decisions, even if they know the cues. Disobedience implies a dog won’t listen, but dysregulation means they can’t. If your dog is ignoring you, struggling to settle, or slowly spiralling out of control, the solution is not going to be more obedience drills — it’s supporting regulation first.
Yes — but only when it’s built on a solid foundation. Training alone won’t fix dysregulation. But when you pair that with decompression, enrichment, proper rest, and outlets for natural behaviours, it becomes far more effective. Think of it like this: regulation helps make training stick. Without it, you’ll keep repeating the same lessons without real progress.
The small changes will tell you everything. Your dog might start settling on their own, taking longer naps, bouncing back from stress quicker, or showing more curiosity instead of panic. You’ll also see improvements in things like leash reactivity, frustration tolerance, and impulse control — not because you trained harder, but because their nervous system is finally in a state where learning can happen.
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