'Good stress', known as eustress, is a positive cognitive response to stress that's healthy - your dog's engaged, happy, and learning. A little bit of stress makes us stronger! While the stress response is a normal part of daily life, it's harmful when triggered too intensely or for too long - and then it becomes bad stress or distress.
What happens with bad stress? Well, in simple terms, the effects of stress on the immune system may shift from immunoenhancement to immunosuppression.The immune system can forget how to function normally. (It's called immune dysregulation.) The system needs a Pep-Up!
Not only that, but chronic stress is associated with high levels of cortisol in the blood stream, which in turn has been related to a number of human disorders including obesity, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, immune disturbances, altered endocrine responses and nervous system disorders. Research also shows that chronic stress from anxiety disorders is associated with shortened lifespan in dogs.