Shifting from Sympathetic Arousal to Parasympathetic Safety through Co-Regulation
Presented by: Leah Lykos, Canine Movement Lab
Written by: Leah Lykos, Canine Movement Lab
Polyvagal Institute Conference
"In the intensity of sympathetic mobilization your clients are looking for an organized way to use and safely discharge their energy." — Deb Dana, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection
Dogs, like humans, need intentional support to recover from stress. This poster presents a framework for shifting dogs from sympathetic activation to parasympathetic safety through movement, play, and touch. These activities are provided in an intentional way, grounded in awareness and relationship.
Hypothesis
Conscious human awareness of a dog's autonomic state, paired with structured opportunities to safely express or integrate sympathetic energy, supports a measurable shift from sympathetic activation to a regulated parasympathetic state.
Practices for Recovery & Regulation
Aerobic Exercise
Healthy activation through movement
- Constructive, predictable movement: Walking, running, low-impact canine resistance training
- Exhilaration without overwhelm: Builds tolerance for sympathetic activation
- Physical & emotional strength: Builds confidence and resilience to future stress
Walking in Nature
Grounding in natural areas
- Quiet outdoor environments: Support parasympathetic return, free from overstimulation
- Proprioception & stablility: Activities like swimming, climbing, and balancing strengthen the mind and build confidence
- Building resiliece: Challenging hikes under light stress expand the window of tolerance for future triggers
Touch Without Talk
Quiet hands as a gateway to co-regulation
- Parasympathetic shift: Gentle canine massage and bodywork
- Human nervous system monitor: Observe dog's response, trust the mirror
- Full-body relaxation: Slow, silent, predictable touch ("quiet hands") often induces rest or sleep
Tug-of-War
Playful co-regulation completes the emotional cycle
- Structured & relational: Engages natural bite and pull instincts safely
- Sympathetic discharge: Movement and grip release energy safely
- Emotional completion: "Parading" behavior (carrying "prey") aids decompression
Observing the Shift – From Arousal to Regulation
After these exercises, dogs frequently show observable markers of parasympathetic balance:
- Reduced hyper-arousal behaviors: Less barking, jumping, pacing
- Return to social connection cues: Soft eyes, mutual gaze, tail wagging
- Body softening and postural calm: Relaxed muscle tone
- Re-engagement: Curiosity, play, connection
- Co-regulation: Capacity for attunement and regulation alongside the human
These markers confirm that post-arousal rituals, especially when shared, effectively complete the stress cycle and restore safety.
Conclusion
Intentional, co-regulatory experiences—including movement, nature exposure, tactile connection, and play—help dogs shift from sympathetic arousal to parasympathetic safety.
By developing awareness of both canine and human nervous systems, guardians become true partners in the regulation process. These Polyvagal exercises offer a new model of relational repair, nervous system education, and embodied connection.
Healing happens in connection — when we move together, breathe together, and feel safe enough to rest.
Polyvagal Exercises for Dogs