Stress Inoculation: Can Early Life Stress Support Healthy Behavioural Development? with Daniel Shaw

This webinar session was broadcast as part of the Brain Train event – November 2025

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Webinar Description

Stress is often viewed as something to be avoided in dog training and behaviour modification, but can the right kind of stress actually help dogs develop resilience? Research suggests that mild, controlled exposure to stress in early life known as stress inoculation, may support emotional regulation, problem-solving, and behavioural flexibility. However, not all stress is beneficial. Chronic, overwhelming, or poorly managed stress can increase fear, anxiety, and reactivity, making it crucial to distinguish between beneficial and harmful stressors.

This talk explores the complex relationship between stress and behavioural development, highlighting the challenges of differentiating positive and negative stress and the hidden role of stress in experiences we often perceive as positive. Many routine socialisation and learning experiences involve mild stress, yet they are essential for shaping a dog’s stress response system in a way that promotes confidence and adaptability.

By blending neuroscience, psychology, and practical training insights, this session will help dog professionals understand how to harness controlled stress exposure without pushing a dog into distress.