Your Puppy Doesn’t Need to “Burn Off Energy”

The advice is everywhere—“A tired puppy is a good puppy.”

So you throw the ball a dozen times, take long walks, and let them wrestle with every dog they meet.

And yet, at the end of the day, they’re still bouncing off the walls, nipping at your hands, or chewing the corners of the furniture.

It feels like no matter how much exercise they get, they never fully settle.

Here’s the truth—more physical exercise isn’t always the answer.

In fact, chasing exhaustion can sometimes make things worse.

Why More Exercise Doesn’t Always Lead to Calm

It seems logical—puppies have energy, so the more you tire them out, the calmer they’ll be.

But puppies aren’t just physical creatures.

They’re driven by curiosity, problem-solving, and connection. Mental energy and emotional excitement fuel their behavior just as much as physical energy does.

When you try to “burn off” their energy without teaching them how to regulate it, you often end up with a dog who’s physically exhausted but mentally wired.

This shows up as:

Over-arousal after play – Barking, jumping, or rough mouthing that doesn’t fade.

Restlessness at night – Pacing or chewing even after a long day.

Frantic behavior on walks – Pulling or lunging because they can’t settle, no matter how far you go.

It’s like giving a child sugar and then expecting them to sit quietly. The body is tired, but the brain is still buzzing.

The Missing Piece – Teaching Emotional Regulation

What puppies need isn’t just more movement—it’s the ability to calm themselves down.

Calmness isn’t something that magically happens after enough fetch. It’s a skill, and like any skill, it needs to be taught.

Think of it this way:

You wouldn’t expect to wind down after sprinting full speed. You’d need a cooldown—a transition to shift from high energy to relaxation.

Puppies need that same cooldown process.

Why Over-Exercise Can Lead to Overstimulation

There’s a point where more activity doesn’t drain energy—it fuels it.

Highly stimulating play, like repetitive fetch or high-speed chase games, can push puppies into a cycle of adrenaline.

That adrenaline doesn’t disappear after the game stops. It lingers.

Puppies who spend too much time in that heightened state can struggle to switch gears, leading to restlessness, frustration, and poor impulse control.

Over time, this creates a pattern—the more they move, the more they need to keep moving.

Instead of tiring them out, you’re accidentally teaching them that excitement is the default state.

The Alternative – Building Calm Engagement

So what’s the alternative?

Instead of chasing exhaustion, shift your focus to teaching calmness through engagement.

This doesn’t mean avoiding play or exercise—it means balancing high-energy activities with impulse control and mental work.

Here’s how:

1. Slow Things Down Mid-Play

During play, pause frequently. Ask for a sit or down before throwing the ball again.

This teaches your puppy that calm moments lead to more fun, reinforcing the idea that excitement doesn’t have to spiral.

2. Engage Their Brain

Puzzle toys, scent work, and basic training drills are powerful tools. Ten minutes of mental work can drain more energy than an hour of running.

A puppy who learns to focus during training builds the skills to regulate excitement—making them calmer overall.

3. Introduce Structured Breaks

During walks, stop periodically and ask your puppy to sit and observe the environment. Reward stillness and quiet observation.

This creates micro-moments of calm, reinforcing that breaks are part of movement.

4. Play the “Settle” Game

Teach your puppy to lie down on a mat or designated spot. Reward calmness, slowly increasing the time they stay there.

This isn’t just about physical stillness—it’s about creating mental stillness.

5. End Play Sessions with a Cooldown

After energetic play, wind down with slow leash walking or gentle tug. This transition helps lower adrenaline, signaling to your puppy that excitement is over.

What Calm Engagement Looks Like in Daily Life

Imagine you’ve just returned from a walk. Instead of letting your puppy bounce around the house, you ask them to sit quietly by your feet while you sip your coffee.

At first, they might fidget. But after a few repetitions, they start settling faster.

Over time, this becomes the new normal.

Walks and play sessions stop being about reaching exhaustion and start being about building connection, balance, and calm.

Why This Approach Works Long-Term

When puppies learn how to regulate their energy, they don’t just become calmer at home—they become more adaptable in the world.

They know how to engage without spiraling into over-arousal.

They can handle exciting environments without losing focus.

And most importantly, they learn that calmness isn’t the absence of excitement—it’s something they can choose, even when the world feels busy.

That’s not just good training.

That’s life-changing.

Absolutely! I’ll start with the first one and follow up with the others in separate messages.