Slow Down: Why You and Your Dog Both Crave Quick Fixes

Last night, I knew I shouldn’t have — but I found myself scrolling on my phone late into the night.

I’d had a fantastic weekend. I spent quality time with my daughter — swimming, going to the beach, the park, the mall. It was amazing. But by the end of it, I was exhausted in the best possible way.

And that’s when I did what so many of us do when we’re tired or stressed: I reached for comfort. I scrolled. I chased that little hit of dopamine — those quick bursts of distraction that feel good in the moment but don’t really leave us feeling any better.

The result - More exhaustion the following day.

We live in a world that craves, rewards, and promotes immediate gratification. It’s bloody hard to get away from. The more stressed we are, the more we seek those quick fixes — a scroll, a snack, a drink, a like — just to feel okay for a moment. But those moments are fleeting. They don’t restore us.

And our dogs are no different.

Dogs Chase Quick Fixes Too

When dogs are stressed, they also seek comfort through quick-hit behaviours — things that release bursts of adrenaline or dopamine but don’t actually help them recover.

You’ll often see this with dogs that become addicted to a ball. They beg for one more throw, one more chase. The game gives them a sense of control — they know what’s coming next — and it floods their body with feel-good chemicals. But it’s not true relief. It’s just another “scroll” for them.

Over time, this kind of endorphin hunting can actually make things worse. Instead of calming the nervous system, it keeps it wired. Just like staying up too late on your phone, it prevents proper rest and recovery.

What They (and We) Really Need

Whether it’s us or our dogs, the real solution isn’t more stimulation — it’s slowing down.

We need to help our dogs do the things that actually restore their nervous system:
✔ Genlte exercise with no pressure
✔ Movement through exploration and travelling with the family unit
✔ Rest, sleep, and predictability
✔ Enrichment that soothes, not excites

These are the moments that bring real stability — the kind that lasts long after the game or the scroll is over.

When dogs get that kind of recovery, they become more emotionally balanced, more flexible, and easier to train. Just like we become more present, grounded, and able to focus when we put the phone down and give ourselves real rest.

Takeaway

Fetch and high adrenalie activites are great. They’re important and shouldn’t be ruled out all together. But. Next time you see your dog chasing one more ball or bouncing off the walls after a big day, think of it like your own late-night scroll. It’s not bad — it’s just a sign that they need help winding down, not ramping up.

A calm, well-rested dog — like a calm, well-rested human — is more content, more stable, and far easier to live with.

If this feels like an impossible dream right now for you, get in touch and I can help you make this you and your dogs realitiy.