Several times a month I will meet a potential client who is exasperated by their dog’s energy level.

In almost all cases, the owners have tried to run it out of the dog.

Maybe they throw the ball for the dog to fetch it. Maybe they jog with the dog, or bike with them. Maybe they just put two dogs in the yard together and let them play it out. All over the country, people are doing the same thing. And all over the country many of those people end up in front of a dog trainer. I know. I’ve asked around.

The mantra is simple “A tired dog is a good dog.” This is a true statement as far as it goes. But there’s a few problems with it. The first is that good behavior created by exhaustion is an illusion. We want the dog to be able to make good choices not simply remove the ability to make bad choices. The second problem is that pure physical exercise is a terrible way to wear a dog out.

It is an easy assumption to make that the quickest way to tire something out is to get them moving. But the problem is that truly high energy dogs don’t wear out with mindless physical exercise. You can throw the ball until your arm falls off and these guys will carry your arm back to you.

To make matters worse, by running them regularly, you are increasing their cardio, meaning they are going to need more exercise just to be normal!

Cesar Milan is a polarizing figure in the dog world, but regardless of what you think of him or his methods, you must recognize that he’s largely responsible for people realizing that they need to exercise their dogs. Overall, this is a good thing, but when he walks a dog, there is a detail that average viewer often misses.

The dogs are engaged in mental effort the whole time.

Exercising impulse control drains energy at a dramatic rate. So when the dog is asked to stay next to us, or ignore an enticing distraction, he will be using up more energy reserves than if he’s chasing a squirrel at full speed. When Milan walks a dog, he requires the dog’s brain to burn energy at a much higher rate than the simple act of walking forward will. Focused walking will tire your dog much faster and more thoroughly than letting him run full speed ahead.

Another nice option to engage your dog’s brain and body together is to use a structured retrieve. This is very different from what most people do when playing fetch with their dogs.

In a structured retrieve, the dog holds a stay while you throw the ball, and he waits until you send him after it. He returns it directly to you. If you have a ball crazy dog this is fun and easy way to burn energy and improve the dog’s overall demeanor. This takes a little time to build, but it’s not hard if the dog is already motivated.

Another great way to get your dog’s brain working is to practice basic obedience commands while on your walks.

All of these things share two very important things.

Let’s go back to something I said early on, “… good behavior created exhaustion is an illusion. We want the dog to be able to make good choices not simply remove the ability to make bad choices.” It might seem like I have been offering better ways to exhaust your dog, and that’s true, but there’s more to it than that.

These practices also teach your dog how to practice impulse control and maintain focus. More than just creating the temporary good behavior that comes from being exhausted, they get practice at being less impulsive … even when they are full of energy and excited.

By adding structure to the dog’s exercise you will:

make it more fulfilling

make it more exhausting

increase the dog’s ability to make good decisions regardless of his energy level

Overall, the right kind of exercise will improve your partnership with the dog, build trust and cooperation, and will in usually make the dog a more enjoyable family member.

Don’t just exercise the dog, make his exercise meaningful.