The adage “A tired dog is a good dog” implies that physical exercise alone is the key to a well-behaved dog. This also leads to the misconception that if your dog continues to misbehave, simply increase their activity level and all their behavior problems will disappear. However, this approach may not address the root cause of the issue, which could be a lack of mental stimulation or discipline for poor behavior. This highlights the disproportionate and immensely important impact of mental exercise (also known as mental stimulation) on a dog’s energy levels and overall behavior.
Mental exercise, such as training obedience commands, socialization in new environments with new objects around new people, following expectations, disciplining for rule-breaking, and problem-solving, tires a dog far more effectively than physical exercise alone. This is because mental effort requires focus, concentration, and the use of cognitive skills. In contrast, physical exercise, while important for a dog’s physical health, may not be as effective in addressing behavioral issues that stem from boredom, lack of training, not knowing or understanding rules and social expectations, and underlying and unaddressed behavioral issues. By incorporating mental exercise into a dog’s routine and seeking professional help to address behavioral issues, owners can ensure their dogs are not only physically fit but also mentally stable, aware of the rules and expectations of the home, and ready to relax.
Replace the old adage with a new one: “Make a dog run for eight hours, he’ll sleep ten minutes. Make a dog think for ten minutes, he’ll sleep eight hours.”
