The Best Ways to Tire Out a High-Energy Dog

Does your dog have endless energy no matter how many walks you take? If your pup is constantly zooming around the house, chewing on things, or struggling to settle down, they likely need more physical and mental stimulation.

Providing structured exercise and training not only tires out a hyperactive dog but also helps prevent destructive behaviors, anxiety, and disobedience. In this guide, we’ll cover the best ways to keep your high-energy dog engaged and how training can channel that energy into good behavior.

Signs Your Dog Needs More Physical and Mental Exercise

A tired dog is a happy and well-behaved dog. If your pup is displaying any of these behaviors, they may need more structured activity:

✔ Excessive Zoomies – Frequent bursts of energy, especially indoors.
✔ Destructive Behavior – Chewing furniture, digging, or shredding household items.
✔ Jumping on People – Overexcitement can lead to unwanted jumping.
✔ Barking or Whining – A restless dog may bark for attention.
✔ Inability to Settle – Struggling to relax even after a walk.

If your dog is bored or under-exercised, adding variety to their daily routine can help them burn energy productively.

Creative Ways to Burn Energy

1. Training Drills

Training is a great way to stimulate your dog’s mind while keeping them physically engaged. Try incorporating:

🐾 Recall Drills – Practicing “come” over increasing distances burns energy while reinforcing obedience.
🐾 Impulse Control Games – Work on “stay” and “wait” commands to mentally challenge your dog.
🐾 Trick Training – Teach new skills like spin, roll over, or weave through your legs for fun engagement.

2. Obstacle Courses & Agility Training

Setting up an at-home agility course is a great way to challenge your dog’s body and brain:

🏃 Use chairs or cones to create weaving paths.
🏃 Set up a tunnel using blankets or boxes.
🏃 Teach your dog to jump over obstacles like broomsticks or low hurdles.

This type of training is physically demanding and mentally stimulating, making it an excellent energy outlet.

3. Scent Work & Nose Games

Dogs love to use their noses, and scent-based activities provide excellent mental stimulation.

👃 Hide treats around the house and encourage your dog to find them.
👃 Play “which hand” by hiding a treat in one hand and letting them sniff it out.
👃 Use a snuffle mat to make mealtime a fun challenge.

Scent work engages a dog’s natural instincts, making them think and tire out faster than running alone!

4. Tug-of-War and Fetch Variations

Classic games like fetch and tug-of-war are great for burning energy, but switching things up keeps them interesting.

🎾 Try playing fetch uphill to increase difficulty.
🎾 Use different toys to keep your dog engaged (balls, frisbees, rope toys).
🎾 Add a training command (e.g., “sit” before fetching) to reinforce obedience.

5. Doggy Playdates

Social dogs benefit from playing with other dogs, which helps them release energy while improving social skills.

🐕 Visit a dog-friendly park or set up a playdate with a well-matched friend.
🐕 Ensure both dogs have compatible play styles to prevent overexcitement.

Supervised play lets your dog burn energy naturally while building confidence.

Why Mental Stimulation Is Just as Important as Physical Exercise

Many dog owners assume more exercise is the solution to high energy, but mental fatigue can tire a dog out even faster than physical workouts.

🧠 Problem-Solving Games – Puzzle toys, treat-dispensing balls, and hide-and-seek provide brain workouts.
🧠 Obedience Training – Learning new commands exhausts a dog mentally while improving behavior.
🧠 Enrichment Activities – Try interactive feeders, food puzzles, or DIY scent games to keep their mind engaged.

A balance of physical and mental exercise is key to preventing hyperactivity and destructive behaviors.

How Training Can Channel Energy Into Good Behavior

An energetic dog doesn’t have to be out of control. Proper training helps channel excess energy into obedience and focus.

✔ Impulse Control Training – Teaching commands like “leave it,” “stay,” and “wait” reduces overexcitement.
✔ Structured Walks – Loose-leash training provides exercise with purpose, preventing pulling and jumping.
✔ Calmness Training – Rewarding calm behavior helps dogs learn how to self-regulate their energy.

At Off Leash K9 Training Missoula, we specialize in structured training programs that help high-energy dogs learn to focus while still having fun!

Need Help Managing Your Energetic Dog? Let’s Create a Structured Training Plan!

If your dog’s energy feels unmanageable, the right training approach can make all the difference. We offer customized training programs to help channel that energy into good behavior and obedience.

📞 Call (406) 946-3037 or fill out the form below to schedule a FREE consultation!

Let’s help your dog stay active, engaged, and well-behaved!