How to Reduce Dog Energy and Nervousness

Exercise to Burn Off Energy

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. If your dog is bouncing off walls, jumping, or chewing, it’s likely due to pent-up energy. Simply walking on a leash isn’t enough—this is often just a warm-up for young, active dogs. Instead, schedule at least three intense sessions of fetch or play per day. Climb stairs or hills while throwing the ball to increase effort. Set up obstacle courses indoors or outdoors with jumps and tunnels. Be mindful of heat stroke, but push until your dog is truly exhausted.

Breed matters: a Border Collie can handle more physical challenges than a Bulldog. If no one in your family has time, hire a dog walker or enroll your dog in doggie daycare—eight hours of play with other dogs can drain even the most energetic pup.

Manage Behavior with Calm Routines

Even with exercise, nervousness can persist if routines reward chaos. Use the “All Is Calm” program to teach your dog that calm behavior leads to rewards. Start walks with a sit-stay at the door—don’t open it until your dog is relaxed. This teaches that calmness, not excitement, gets the door opened.

Tether your dog briefly before walks to build patience. If your dog pulls or barks at the door, turn around and return home—this stops the behavior from being rewarded. Over time, your dog learns that calmness leads to movement, not chaos.

Use Mental Enrichment to Calm Nerves

Physical exercise isn’t always the answer. Some dogs, like Peanut the 7-month-old puppy, become more anxious after extra exercise due to underlying stress or poor self-regulation. In such cases, less exercise and more mental enrichment may help.

Try stuffed toys like Kongs, training games, or simple commands during quiet time. These activities engage the mind and help dogs learn to relax. In one case, a dog only settled when her owner gently massaged her—showing that calm human presence can be a powerful tool.

Avoid Overstimulation and Set Rules

Unstructured play can turn into stress if not managed. If your dog pulls to the dog run or ignores calls during play, it’s time to set rules. The pack leader (you) must control the pace and duration of play. Let your dog play only after a calm walk to the park or run.

Avoid letting your dog dominate play sessions. If she starts to bark or pull, stop and return home. This teaches that calm behavior is required for access to fun. Consistent rules prevent overexcitement from becoming a habit.

Know When to Slow Down

If your dog remains hyperactive despite daily exercise, it may be a sign of underlying anxiety or poor self-regulation. In some cases, more exercise makes things worse—the dog becomes overtired and cranky, like a toddler.

Instead of burning more energy, focus on teaching your dog to recognize and choose calmness. Use gentle touch, quiet time, and consistent cues. With time and training, your dog can learn to relax on her own.