The Impact of Fetch and Exercise on Dogs

Sylvia Koczerzuk Koczerzuk Author

Jun 26, 2025 |

Fetch taps into a dog's instincts but can cause stress, fixation, and injury if overdone. Learn how to balance play with well-being and calm.

Summary: The Impact of Fetch and Over-Exercise on Dogs

Fetch is a high-energy activity that taps into a dog's natural chase behaviour, which can sometimes trigger predatory instincts. While playing fetch provides physical exercise and releases "feel-good" chemicals like endorphins and dopamine, it also stimulates adrenaline and cortisol, which can have negative long-term effects when overdone.

Key Chemical Reactions & Their Effects:

• Endorphins & Dopamine: Feel-good chemicals that relieve pain but can become addictive.
  
  

• Adrenaline: Increases heart rate, oxygen levels, and awareness but also suppresses pain, which can mask injuries and contribute to anxiety.
  
  

• Cortisol: The stress hormone that, when consistently elevated, slows healing, weakens muscles, and reduces focus and learning ability.
  
  

Emotional & Behavioural Fallout of Overdoing Fetch:

• Frustration & Arousal: A dog expecting fetch can show frantic behaviours like barking, jumping, grabbing, and even snatching toys.
  
  

• Over-Association & Fixation: Dogs may fixate on specific locations (parks, backyards) or objects (balls, frisbees), leading to increased anxiety or resource guarding.
  
  

• Escalation to Rage Circuit: Prolonged frustration can lead to reactive behaviours, including biting or fighting.
  
  

• Decreased Impulse Control: The delay of the game can lead to increased demand barking and stress behaviours.
  
  

Physical Risks of Repetitive Fetch:

• Soft Tissue & Joint Strain: Repetitive high-impact movements can cause muscle strain, concussive effects on joints, and even nerve damage.
  
  

• Increased Risk of Injury: Dogs may continue playing despite discomfort due to adrenaline masking pain.
  
  

• Heat Stroke & Overexertion: Especially dangerous in hot weather, as dogs may overheat before they show signs of exhaustion.
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Fetch should be balanced with other mental enrichment activities to fulfill a dog's needs holistically.
  
  

• Avoid over-expectation and fixation by incorporating different games that promote calmer states.
  
  

• Pay attention to physical health, ensuring the dog is not overexerting or injuring itself.
  
  

• Be mindful of heat and environmental conditions, as dogs often don’t self-regulate effectively during play.