Does Your Dog Need a Stress Bucket Holiday?
- Deb from Busy Pawz
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Most of us know what it feels like to hit that point where everything becomes too much. And dogs feel that too.
But unlike us, they can’t just book a weekend away or take a mental health day. So when their stress bucket overflows, it shows up in their behaviour and it’s easy to miss the signs until things boil over.
This week, I want to talk about something a little different: giving your dog time and space to truly recover. Because sometimes… they need a stress bucket holiday.
When Behaviour Is a Clue
Recently, one of my older girls, Kenya, got an ear infection. Now, Kenya’s a tough Kelpie - stoic, low-fuss, and not one to make a scene. So when she started acting “off,” it took me a while to connect the dots.
What I first noticed were the subtle signs: she was less tolerant, more reactive, and not quite herself. Those small behavioural changes were actually her waving a little red flag. But it wasn’t until we discovered the ear infection which led to having to be sedated at the vet that I realised just how much was going on beneath the surface.
And while the infection itself is sorted, her stress bucket is still full.
What Is a Stress Bucket Holiday?
You’ve probably heard me talk about the stress bucket before. It’s a metaphor for how our dogs carry stress - little things add up until the bucket overflows.
In Kenya’s case, it wasn’t just the ear pain or the vet visit. It was the ongoing background noise of daily life - other dogs, chickens, horses, visitors, routines shifting… all of it.
Add one big event like sedation and restraint at the vet, and boom - her nervous system was in overwhelm.
Research suggests it can take up to 7 days (or more!) for a dog to fully recover from a significant stressor. That’s where the idea of a “stress bucket holiday” comes in.
It’s about stepping back, giving your dog more rest, more predictability, and less stimulation so their nervous system can down-regulate and fully reset.
It Sounds Simple… But It’s Not Always Easy
As dog owners, we want our dogs to be part of everything. It feels unnatural to leave them out or keep them away from the action.
But sometimes, space is the most compassionate thing we can offer.
Kenya’s stress holiday hasn’t just meant physical rest - it’s meant more time away from her (lovingly annoying) siblings, less pressure to interact, and more chances to just… be calm.
It’s not forever. It’s a reset.
And I’ll be honest - it takes effort. Managing multiple dogs and adjusting routines isn’t always convenient. But it’s already paying off. I can see her decompressing, rebalancing, and slowly finding her spark again.
Could Your Dog Need One Too?
Sometimes it’s not about constant, everyday stress - it’s about one big thing that tips your dog’s nervous system over the edge.
Maybe they’ve:
Had a stressful vet visit or procedure (like Kenya)
Moved house or had major changes to their environment
Dealt with a thunderstorm or fireworks
Welcomed a new baby (or puppy!) into the family
Had a scary incident at the dog park
Even confident dogs can get overwhelmed after a big stressor. Their stress bucket might not look full day-to-day, but when something big happens, they need time and space to properly reset.
That’s where a “stress bucket holiday” comes in.
Let them skip the usual walks. Give them a quiet, safe space to rest. Keep things calm and predictable. It’s not forever - it’s just a pause to help their nervous system recover, so they’re better equipped to cope with the world again.
Final Thoughts
Just like us, dogs need recovery time. Life can be loud, fast, and overstimulating and even the most resilient dogs have a limit.
So if your dog’s been through something recently (even if they “seem fine”), it might be worth asking: do they need a break?
Sometimes the best thing we can do is step back, give them space, and let the healing happen.
Thanks for reading!
Give your dog a moment of peace today and maybe one for yourself too. 🌿
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew xo
P.S. Want to learn more about the stress bucket and behaviour support? Download my free guide Chaos to Calm - it’s packed with gentle strategies to reduce overwhelm.
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