Getting Your Puppy's Energy OUT?

by Heidi Atwood

The title of this blog post could be misleading! You may have already figured out that energy levels rise when a puppy is more active. You may also have friends or relatives who advise you to run your dog around the yard for 30 minutes before bedtime, to help them sleep. You might even try this, and find that your dog comes bolting back into your house, jumping and lunging and in a state of overstimulation that makes it almost impossible to settle down and go to sleep. 

Thinking of this as it relates to humans, if I attend an exciting event in the evening and perhaps get home a bit late, I am not able to go directly to sleep. My mind is busy going over the events of the evening, the visits with friends, and so on. I need a little bit of calming downtime to get my brain to settle down and rest, even if my body is exhausted. This is a time when I want to tire myself mentally, and reading usually works well for me. Even 20 minutes of settling down with a good book can complete my day, and help me drift off to sleep. 

When puppies play, run around, and are physically active, their bodies get tired. While we know that physical exercise is a good thing, puppies get a lot of exercise just by being busy puppies, going out for potty breaks, playing, and training. Certain times of day are better for exciting activities, allowing plenty of downtime afterwards, and encouraging more calm activities to help your puppy settle down nicely by bedtime. I will usually make sure I am done with any physically demanding walks or play around a puppy’s dinnertime, which will allow 2-3 hours of low-key activity or rest before bed. 

The recommended daily amount of exercise that is best for a puppy varies per breed, age, and even their living situation. Some dogs may be acclimated to having a lot of exercise, while others may be more limited due to their surroundings, the schedules of the handlers, or other factors. In general, the recommended range is around 30 minutes to 2 hours, spread throughout the day, but your vet can suggest an appropriate length of time for your individual puppy’s requirements. 

Maybe you are a runner or a power-walker, and you want your dog to participate in your walks and runs. Stamina is something that you will want to build up gradually, keeping in mind that as your puppy gets used to having a lot of exercise, they will expect and crave it even more. If you want another person to take your dog for a walk, be sure your puppy has also learned how to walk at a more casual pace at times when this may be necessary. 

In the evening, as bedtime approaches, offering some calm and comforting body handling, belly rubs, or a bit of gentle training are great ways to wind down. This could be a good time to practice low-key cues, such as “settle”, or increasing the “down-stay” you have already established, or simply spending some time cuddling with your puppy. 

If your puppy is having a hard time getting into sleep mode, try offering some calming mental stimulation in the evenings. Check out our blog article called The Importance of Mental Stimulation, which explains more about tiring out your puppy’s brain as well as their body, to help with total relaxation. I like to set up a routine that works for my relaxation as well, so that a puppy doesn’t expect me to entertain them at this time, and instead, is happy to just hang out while we both get sleepy and relaxed. 

Offer quick and “all business” potty breaks just before bedtime and hold off on that dark, exciting, nighttime walk. Your puppy doesn’t need to become overstimulated at this time, and this may be better for you as well, getting your exercise during the daylight hours.