Behaviour Terms
Arousal
The dog's level of physical and emotional activation.
In Review — Pending Editorial ApprovalWhat It Means in Practice
Arousal ranges from low (calm, settled) to very high (barking, spinning, unable to take food). Moderate arousal supports learning; very high or very low arousal makes responding harder.
What It Does Not Always Mean
High arousal is not automatically excitement, and low arousal is not automatically calm. High arousal can be driven by stress, frustration, or fear, not just joy.
Why Context Matters
The optimal arousal level depends on the task. A recall may need higher arousal; a settle needs lower arousal. Managing arousal is a key training skill.
Commonly Confused With
Stress
Stress is a response to challenge. Arousal is activation level. They are related but not identical.
Excitement
Excitement is a positive emotional state. Arousal is activation that can be positive or negative.
Examples
- 1A calm, soft-eyed dog working at ease is at useful arousal.
- 2A barking, spinning dog who cannot take food is over-aroused.
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