Some of the most lovable, adorable dogs are also the most energetic. Whether you have a breed known for higher energy levels or a puppy who can't seem to sit still, you may find yourself at a loss for how to meet those needs and get your pup to calm down. Fortunately, there are three tried and true things you can do for this.

Physical Exercise

This one may seem obvious, but it is important to mention physical exercise when you have an energetic dog. Being able to run and chase is very important for energetic dogs. It is hard-wired into them to chase,run, and move their bodies. Keep in mind that dogs often move a lot faster than us, so going on a long walk may not always meet their needs. In fact, walks have the potential to cause frustration in an energetic dog if they aren’t  able to move as fast as they would like. So, instead, take them somewhere they can run freely, or take them on an adventure walk where they can burn physical energy in an unrestrictive way. Flirt poles are also a great option for letting your dog run when you don't have a lot of space.

Mental Exercise

More and more people are incorporating mental exercise into their dogs’ lives, which is wonderful! Mental exercise is anything that helps work your dog's brain. It’s also a great opportunity to drain your dog's energy when the weather is not cooperative for physical exercise options. Some examples of mental exercise are:

Scent Enrichment

The opportunity to sniff is so important for dogs- and it burns a lot of energy! Allow your dog the opportunity to sniff by hiding treats around your home and letting them sniff them out. You can also take a rag and rub it in the grass and on trees and take it inside for your dog to sniff.

Meal Enrichment

There are lots of meal puzzle games out there that slow down fast eaters and allow your dog to think and forage. However, you can make this a lot simpler and use things in your home. For example, you can fill a paper bag with food,crumple it up, and let your dog try to figure out how to unfold it. You can also scatter food in your yard or a snuffle mat for your dog to get out by working their brain. Anything that involves problem-solving and thinking to get food qualifies here!

Training

This is a great way to incorporate energy-draining opportunities to your regular routine while also raising a well-behaved dog. Any time you train your dog, you're teaching them new skills and asking them to think, which is exactly the purpose of mental exercise!

Rest

The most neglected part of meeting an energetic dog's needs is teaching them to rest. This may not seem like something that needs to be taught, but energetic dogs - especially working breed dogs - are constantly looking for the next task to do. It is essentially like living with a workaholic who doesn't know how to take a vacation! With that in mind, it’s important to have regular nap and rest times to teach your dog that they also need to rest and calm down. One way to do this is to have a regular cool-down period after physical play. An example is telling your dog to go to bed while licking a frozen stuffed Kong or lick mat. It's also a good idea, especially for young puppies, to have regular nap times where they have to go to bed and take a nap or at least rest while you put on calming music after a calming bedtime treat.

So next time your energetic dog seems to be running non-stop, and you find yourself unable to find your dog's off-switch, ask yourself if you have met the three energy needs for the day- physical exercise, mental exercise and rest.