Dog Training with CBD – Why Is It So Effective?

You may have heard that CBD is used in dog training. Many dog owners report that it has greatly improved their training results. We, too, are already working successfully with several dog training schools and trainers who are convinced of and enthusiastic about the benefits of CBD and have achieved more effective training results with it.

But why is that? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the topic of “dog training with CBD”! 

How does CBD work in dogs?

To answer this question, we first need to look at where in the body CBD takes effect.

Cannabinoids are essentially the body’s own messenger substances, not synthetic chemicals. They are capable of influencing cellular metabolism and regulating cellular activity. They monitor the balance of all bodily functions and, when this balance is disrupted, work to restore it. Imbalances occur particularly in age-related diseases as well as in states of anxiety and stress.

But what does that have to do with dog training?

Modern research has shown that experiencing stress significantly impedes learning. Training can be a major source of stress for many dogs. This is where CBD can help. Thanks to how it works in the body, it can relieve stress and tension and prevent them from arising in the first place. CBD acts on hormonal imbalances in a dog’s body and helps restore balance. For anxious, restless, fidgety, wild, hyperactive, or restless dogs, it has a calming effect, thereby providing the ideal foundation for effective and sustainable dog training.

CBD helps your dog become more balanced, focused, and composed. This creates the ideal environment for learning.

Why is your dog having trouble with training in the first place?

During the alarm response phase, stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and aldosterone, as well as gastric juices and sex hormones, are released or increased. During the alarm response phase, it is only possible to achieve limited success in training.

• Adrenaline – Adrenaline sharpens the senses, provides energy, and boosts the body’s readiness to defend itself. In other words, the heart rate increases, blood is pumped to the large muscle groups, and the body is thus better able to react. This allows the body to tap into energy reserves so it can quickly flee or fight. These are ideal conditions for hunting or fighting, but not for dog training. CBD can help prevent this. It regulates the release of adrenaline and raises the threshold for when adrenaline is released. This has a positive effect on the dog’s concentration and attention.
• Cortisol – Cortisol is also released in greater quantities during times of stress. It suppresses the immune system, leading to immunosuppression. Stressed dogs that don’t get enough rest often develop many minor health issues. Our CBD products help your dog relax more quickly so they can better manage stress. This relieves physical tension and brings us one step closer to the ideal conditions for dog training.
• Aldosterone – Aldosterone regulates fluid balance. Imagine you’re with your dog in an unfamiliar new environment, such as a dog park. Your dog is bombarded with many new smells and stimuli that he first has to process. Stress hormones like aldosterone are then released. This usually becomes noticeable when, in such situations, the dog needs to urinate or defecate so intensely that it no longer resembles normal “business.” In sensitive dogs or those that naturally have elevated stress levels, diarrhea may even set in. Unfortunately, there are still dog trainers who prohibit urination or defecation at the dog park. However, the dog cannot turn off this mechanism. Therefore, please allow it under no circumstances and, if necessary, question the dog trainer. Then there are also cases where nothing works anymore. This often happens with anxious dogs after a move, on vacation, with shelter dogs, or with dogs that have just arrived from abroad. Due to sheer stress, these dogs may be unable to urinate or defecate for more than 24 hours.
• Gastric juices – The production of gastric juices increases during times of stress. Some dogs then go on real binge-eating sprees, while others can’t eat a thing. Some of them even have to vomit. That’s why many dogs can’t eat during group training, for example. They’re under too much pressure because there are so many dogs and people around. Other dogs, on the other hand, will practically bite your fingers off because they need their “comfort food.”
• Sex hormones – Sex hormones also play a role in the stress response. They further increase our readiness to defend ourselves or attack. During the life-or-death act of hunting, they provide enough courage to attack and kill even large prey. On top of that, nature has added a dose of rivalry to the choice of a sexual partner, which leads to quick defensive or aggressive reactions in tense situations. However, this amazing mechanism doesn’t make training any easier. Imagine your adolescent dog is slowly taking a liking to the ladies and, as a result, attacks another male dog. With CBD, you can better regulate this behavior and thus handle your dog more effectively.

These stress hormones are also released during anger, hunting, grief, fear, or intense joy (both positive and negative stress). Daily stressful moments therefore lead to a constant release of stress hormones. They are released in a matter of seconds and take 0.5 to 6 days for the body to break them down to normal levels again. That is why it is essential to make sure you get enough rest!

How can CBD help address challenges in dog training? 

This is exactly where CBD products come in. That’s because this cannabinoid helps reduce these stress hormones. So if you notice that your dog has hit a complete learning plateau with just this one task, give our CBD products a try. Often, even a little nudge can make a big difference.

Regular administration of CBD helps restore inner calm, allowing your dog to approach training with greater focus. What’s more, CBD helps your dog reach a normal state of alertness more quickly. CBD offers an excellent opportunity to fill the dog’s limbic system with positive memories. As a result, your dog can remain calm and composed by your side during training and in everyday life.