If your dog struggles to settle, mouths hands, barks around the house, paces, or seems constantly “on edge”, it’s easy to assume they need more training.
In many cases, what they actually need is regulation.
This is part four of the pre-training checklist. Once health, nutrition, and fulfilment are supported, daily regulation becomes the next foundation for behaviour and learning.
Chewing, licking, and sniffing are not optional extras. They are biological needs that directly support the nervous system and emotional balance.
When these needs are met consistently, many “problem behaviours” reduce without any formal training at all.
That can include barking, puppy biting, inability to settle, pacing, frustration, scavenging, attention-seeking behaviour, and even some forms of reactivity. Not because enrichment magically “fixes” behaviour, but because a calmer nervous system copes with life better.
Why Chew, Lick, and Sniff Matter
These three behaviours activate the parasympathetic nervous system, often described as the body’s “rest and digest” state. In simple terms, they help dogs move out of high arousal and into a calmer, more regulated state.
Without enough daily regulation, dogs often appear:
- Overstimulated or unable to switch off
- More mouthy or nippy, particularly puppies and adolescents
- More vocal around the home
- Quick to react to small triggers
- Restless despite exercise
- Unable to settle after walks
- Demand barking or following owners constantly
Supporting regulation doesn’t replace training. It makes training possible.
This is also why simply “exercising the dog more” often backfires. More arousal is not always the answer. Many dogs actually need help learning how to calm down.
If this sounds familiar, you may also find Trigger Stacking in Dogs useful.
Chewing: Releasing Tension
Chewing is a powerful stress reliever. It releases endorphins, helps dogs decompress, and provides an appropriate outlet for jaw pressure.
This is one reason puppies often become more mouthy in the evenings. They are tired, overstimulated, and looking for regulation. Appropriate chewing outlets can make a huge difference.
Natural, destructible chews are generally far more effective than synthetic chews designed to last forever. Duration matters more than longevity.
A good starting point is a chew that lasts around 10–20 minutes. For a deeper breakdown of options and timing, this guide is useful: Chewing: Why Dogs Need It
You can also use stuffed enrichment toys such as the Kong Classic or Toppl to combine chewing, licking, and problem-solving all in one activity.
Licking: Switching the Body Off
Licking has a strong self-soothing effect. The repetitive action helps slow breathing and reduce arousal, making it ideal after excitement or before rest.
Frozen licking activities can be especially effective as part of a wind-down routine. This article explores why licking is so regulating and how to use it well: Licking Aids and Relaxation
Licking is often the missing piece for dogs who struggle to settle in the evenings.
Simple options include:
- Frozen LickiMats
- LickiMat UFO for softer mixtures
- LickiMat Slomo XL for larger dogs or longer sessions
- Stuffed and frozen Toppls
- Frozen Kongs
You can use Pooch & Mutt Wet Food, Nature’s Deli Paste, Arden Grange Liver Paste, Purest Dog Peanut Butter, or Bone Broth for Dogs to create calming frozen enrichment.
For more frozen ideas, see Frozen Enrichment for Dogs, 3 Frozen Toppl Ideas Dogs Love, and Killer Kong.
Sniffing: Calming Through the Nose
Sniffing is one of the fastest and most natural ways for a dog to reduce stress. It allows them to process information at their own pace and disengage from visual triggers.
Sniff-based activities such as scatter feeding, search games, and slow exploration walks can dramatically lower arousal. This article shows how simple sniffing routines support calm behaviour: Sniff, Snack, Snooze, Repeat
For many dogs, sniffing is more regulating than additional physical exercise.
This is particularly important for reactive, anxious, or overstimulated dogs. Sniffing helps lower pressure without adding more adrenaline into the system.
Scatter feeding, sniff walks, cardboard-box searches, and simple “find it” games are often far more beneficial than another frantic game of ball throwing.
The Takeaway
Chewing, licking, and sniffing are daily regulation tools, not occasional enrichment. When they are built into everyday life, dogs are calmer, more settled, and far more capable of learning.
Once regulation is supported, the next foundation is rest. Sleep consolidates learning and stabilises mood.
Next in the checklist: support recovery and emotional balance with Pre-Training Checklist 5/6: Sleep.
Prefer to view the full checklist or jump between steps? Start here: 6 Essentials Before Dog Training Works
FAQ
Is chew, lick, sniff enrichment really necessary?
Yes. These behaviours support the nervous system and help dogs regulate stress. Without them, arousal often builds and spills into unwanted behaviour.
How often should my dog chew, lick, or sniff?
Ideally every day. Short, regular opportunities are far more effective than occasional long sessions.
Can this reduce barking or biting?
Often, yes. Many behaviours such as barking, mouthing, and restlessness improve when dogs are better regulated.
Does this replace training?
No. Regulation doesn’t replace training, but it creates the conditions where training can actually work.
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