10/07/2025
“One of the most common errors we dog owners make is assuming that our dogs need more exercise when they demonstrate chaotic energy or begin demonstrating more mouthy and impulsive behaviors, even though we are pretty confident that we have already satiated their physical and mental enrichment requirements.
While ‘a tired dog is a good dog’ is true to some degree, just like with toddlers, there is a balance in all things. An overtired dog or a dog who is unsure how-to self soothe can often look like a dog with energy to burn. The difference between the two is that while you can exercise many dogs to the end of the earth, you will be doing so in an unproductive and potentially even harmful way at a certain point. (Think overstressed joints, poor form, or more reckless behaviors when overtired for example.)
Dogs, like humans, have the ability to build physical endurance.
What we DON’T want to do is to accidently create more of an athlete by simply extending the length of our walks every day or adding more physical exercise.
Instead, we want to find a balance between offering opportunities for physical exercise, mental enrichment, and teaching and practicing self-soothing and settling behaviors.”- from our blog:
Skill Breakdown: Teach your dog to settle
