Walks Aren't Enough? What Owners and Trainers Do With a Bored, High-Energy Dog
An owner of an 8-month-old rescue mix asked for "all the recommendations": no matter how many walks they took, their dog still wasn't tired. They were already doing indoor games, toys and chews. The replies - from fellow owners and several trainers - had a twist we didn't expect.
The twist: some dogs need less, not more
Several replies said the same thing in different words: this dog may not need more stimulation - they need to learn to relax. One trainer who said this is their specialty put it simply: the dog needs to learn to "do nothing", be a little bored, and be present. Another owner agreed that having a dog on the go all the time isn't great.
It sounds strange, but it makes sense. A dog who is always entertained never learns to switch off. And a young dog (8 months is basically a teenager) has a lot of energy anyway.
Teach "place"
One owner suggested something that sounds counter-intuitive: teach your dog "place" - a bed or mat where they lie down and stay calm. Start while you eat dinner: your dog lies on their place the whole meal, without "doing" anything. Add small calm moments to the day too, like sitting before going outside or before food. Over time, that spot becomes your dog's place of peace.
Work the brain, not just the legs
A dog trainer in the thread asked the key question: what kind of training are you doing? A dog learning new commands uses a lot of brain power, and mental work tires dogs out in a way walks don't. Ideas from the replies:
- Learn new tricks in short, fun sessions.
- Shaping games - like the "two bowl game", where your dog figures out which bowl hides the treat.
- Sniffing - several owners scatter kibble on the grass or hide treats around the house. Sniffing is hard work for a dog.
- Car rides - one owner said a ride with the window down (safely!) is as exciting for their dog as exercise. All those smells.
A brain game for rainy days
Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle
Hide treats under sliders and lids and let your dog work out how to get them. Start by showing them, then let them figure it out alone - and always supervise.
See it on Amazon - Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle (opens in a new tab)Make meals last longer
Instead of a bowl that's empty in 30 seconds, owners turn meals into a job:
- Freeze breakfast or dinner inside a food toy. One foster owner said it kept their husky busy for 10-15 minutes.
- Freeze a slow-feeder bowl with wet food.
- Stuff and freeze a KONG.
Other owners mentioned tough chews (Benebone came up), and a toy subscription box that replaces toys your dog destroys.
A 'find it' game in a toy
Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel
Squeaky squirrels hidden inside a plush tree trunk. Your dog has to dig them out - a simple, quiet way to use that hunting energy indoors. Pick the size for your dog.
See it on Amazon - Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel (opens in a new tab)A word of caution on DIY games
When a dog trainer's page shared easy DIY games (towels rolled with treats, egg boxes, plastic bottles), owners in the comments added some real-world warnings: don't let your dog chew plastic, be careful with tennis balls that can be chewed up and swallowed, and know your dog - as one Lab owner said, a towel or egg box "would last a nanosecond" and get eaten. Always supervise DIY games and take them away when the game is over.
What about daycare and dog walkers?
Some owners suggested a professional dog walker who takes dogs on real hikes. Daycare got mixed reviews: one owner found it over-stimulating, even for dogs that don't usually get over-excited. Their advice: teach your dog to calm down first, then try daycare.
The short version
If walks aren't enough, add brain work: training, sniffing games, puzzles and frozen food toys. But just as important, teach your dog to settle on their "place". A tired brain plus a dog who knows how to relax is what owners and trainers said makes the real difference.
Got a dog who never stops? Share your best boredom-buster in our Facebook group (opens in a new tab) - and see today's dog pick.
Some links in this guide are Amazon links. If they become affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.