We don’t often talk about frustration in dogs, and when we do, it’s usually framed as something to stop, fix, or shut down. But frustration itself isn’t a bad thing. It’s a normal emotional experience, and one that plays a huge role in how dogs cope with the world around them.
In this week’s episode of Paws and Pawsitivity, I’m exploring frustration tolerance, the emotional skill that quietly sits underneath anxiety, reactivity, and even separation-related distress. When dogs aren’t helped to cope with small frustrations early on, those moments don’t disappear. They stack. Over time, that unresolved frustration can spill over into barking, lunging, pacing, vocalising, or panic when things don’t go their way.
This episode isn’t about letting dogs struggle or pushing them through discomfort. It’s about understanding how frustration tolerance is built gently, safely, and ethically through everyday moments, and why avoiding frustration entirely can actually make dogs more vulnerable, not more confident.
If you’re living with a dog who struggles when things are delayed, blocked, or unpredictable, this episode will help you see those behaviours differently, and more importantly, help you understand how to support your dog without force, pressure, or punishment.
If this episode resonates with you, share it with another dog guardian who might need to hear it, and if you’re struggling with anxiety-based behaviours at home, you can explore working with me online through Pawfect Training Academy.
If you’re ready to level up your dog’s training and unlock their full potential, hit that play button and join me for this exciting episode of Paws and Pawsitivity! 🐾
🎧 Listen to the full episode now!
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