Does Your Dog Need a Holiday?
- thepositivecanine
- Aug 25, 2025
- 3 min read
When life feels overwhelming, we usually think of taking a holiday: somewhere quiet, calm and free from our day to day stress. For some dogs, especially those living with severe anxiety, chronic stress or reactivity, they need exactly the same thing.
In the dog behaviour world, we call this a “trigger holiday”.
What Is a Trigger Holiday?
A trigger holiday is a set period where we remove as many stressors and triggers from your dog’s world as possible.
No stressful walks through busy streets
No meeting unfamiliar dogs or people
No pushing them into situations they find scary or overwhelming
No interaction with things we KNOW might cause them stress
Instead, we create a bubble of safety: a predictable, calm environment where your dog can just exist without constantly being asked to cope.
It’s not about training. It’s not about fixing anything. It’s about letting your dog’s mind have a bit of a reset.
Why Some Dogs Need It
Dogs who are constantly exposed to their triggers, whether that’s other dogs, strangers, traffic, noises or handling, can live in a state of chronic stress.
When this happens, the brain and body are flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are useful in short bursts, but if they stay elevated for too long, they can:
Lower your dog’s ability to learn
Make them more reactive
Impact sleep and digestion
Even affect their overall health
This is called trigger stacking: when small stressors build up over time until your dog’s “stress bucket” overflows.
A trigger holiday is about emptying that bucket. By removing stress for a period of time, we allow those hormone levels to drop back to normal, helping your dog reset emotionally and physically.
Trigger Holiday vs. Decompression
You might have heard of decompression time: giving your dog enrichment, sniffy walks or a lick mat after a stressful event.
While decompression can be great, a trigger holiday goes one step further.
Decompression = providing calming activities after a stressful day.
Trigger holiday = preventing stress from happening in the first place.
Think of it like the difference between a spa day and taking two weeks off work. A spa day feels good, but it doesn’t undo months of burnout.
For some dogs, a proper break from all triggers is the reset button their nervous system needs.
What a Trigger Holiday Might Look Like
Every dog is different, but a trigger holiday often includes:
No stressful walks → swap for garden time or secure field sessions
Safe spaces indoors → comfy beds, hiding spots, predictable routines
Controlled environments → avoid visitors, busy roads or meeting unknown dogs
Gentle enrichment only → licking mats, sniff games, scatter feeding or slow chewing
Predictability → keep routines the same so nothing feels unexpected
It’s about removing pressure rather than adding more tasks to your list.
What Happens After a Trigger Holiday?
Once your dog has had time to reset, they’re often better able to cope with training and learn calmer responses to their triggers.
Training during a state of chronic stress is not going to work, the brain is too busy surviving to learn. After a trigger holiday, your dog is in a much better (even if not perfect!) state of mind to learn.
Want to Help Your Dog Feel Calmer and More in Control?
A trigger holiday can give your dog the reset they need, but that’s just one part of supporting their overall wellbeing.
Inside my Wellbeing Blueprint, I guide you through the five key pillars of emotional health for your dog.
If your dog struggles with anxiety, reactivity, or feeling constantly “on edge,” this blueprint is your step by step guide to helping them feel safe, calm and understood.
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