Making sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and playtime is important to their well-being. However, it’s important to be able to recognize signs that your dog may need a rest during exercise or playtime. Dogs don’t always know when it’s time to take a break, so it’s important not to over-exercise your dog. Here are a few different signs your dog needs a rest during play or exercise:

1. They look tired or are slowing down.
2. They’re panting a lot.
3. They’re struggling to perform a skill or a trick.
4. They’re not as interested in treats.
5. They start to vocalize more.
6. They show behavior and body language changes.

1. They Look Tired or Are Slowing Down

This might seem like an obvious sign, but sometimes it can be missed. If you notice that your dog is slowing down during playtime or exercise, stop what you’re doing and let them have a break for about five minutes. If after a five-minute break, they still seem to be a little bit sluggish or not enthusiastic about returning to playtime or exercising, you might want to call it a day and let your dog rest. This can be a sign your dog is getting too much exercise.

2. They’re Panting a Lot

While a common dog behavior is panting while running and exercising, a dog that is panting too much needs to take a break and rest. This excessive panting could also be a sign that they are starting to become dehydrated or are overheating.

Heat exhaustion or heatstroke in dogs is no joke, so make sure your dog has plenty of cool, fresh water available to help them recover and rest. If it’s too warm outside, you shouldn’t be exercising your dog too heavily. It’s best to find activities to do at cooler periods of the day or inside in air-conditioning.

3. They’re Struggling to Perform a Skill or Task

Another big indicator that your dog needs a rest during play or exercise is if they’re having trouble performing a skill, basic commands, or tricks as well as they normally can. They may also not be able to hold a certain position as well as they could earlier in training or playtime. You may notice that they are shifting their weight differently to compensate for being so tired. These are all clues that your dog might be feeling exhausted and needs rest.

4. They’re Not as Interested in Treats

While most dogs go absolutely bananas for treats, a lack of interest in their favorite treats might be a very big sign that they are too tired. If your dog is too tired to even work for treats, it’s time to let them have a rest.

You may also notice how the way they take the treats from you changes. If your dog was gently taking treats earlier, but now grabs at them in a more haphazard manner, this may indicate that they are losing the ability to make gentle movements. This doesn’t mean your dog is behaving badly; it just means that they need to give their body and brain a rest.

5. They Start to Vocalize More

If your dog feels frustrated and tired, they may begin to vocalize more, which is a way dogs try to communicate. If they were quiet earlier during training or playtime, but start barking or grumbling, they might be just trying to tell you they need a break. You should also watch for other signs such as yawning, sneezing a few times in a row, or sniffing at the ground.

6. They Show Behavior and Body Language Changes

If you start to notice that your dog develops tense body movements or dog body language, they might be trying to communicate to you that they are overstimulated and need a break. This might look like flattened ears, their tail tucked between their legs, or an abrupt stop in movement. You might also notice raised hackles. They may also start to exhibit avoidance behavior. If your dog starts to ignore you or other dogs during playtime or exercise, it might be time to wrap it up.

These are just a few signs your dog needs a rest during play or exercise. If you think your dog is trying to tell you that they’re exhausted during exercise or playtime, make sure you listen. Your dog needs ample rest in order to be ready to get back to training or playtime sooner rather than later!