11 tips to tire out a dog (quickly)

Are you looking for ways to tire out your dog?

Especially with a high energy dog, you’re probably also looking for ways to tire him out quickly.

Well, luckily there are a few very easy and fun things you can do to help your pup be tired and relaxed.

Not all of them are super quick, but therefore very effective.

11 tips to tire out a dog

A tired dog is a happy dog, so it makes sense that you want to find ways to tire out your pup. But if you need to tire him out fast, you might be looking for some quick solutions.

There are lots of reasons why you might want to tire out a dog quickly. If your dog is acting out because of boredom, then finding a quick fix will help both of you relax.

If you need to head out of the house and haven’t had enough time with your dog to tire him out, then finding a way to get that done fast will help to keep him calm while you’re gone.

Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for a fast way to tire out your dog, don’t worry. There are lots of super fun and super tiring activities you can try.

1. Take long walks

One of the best ways to tire out a dog is going for a walk. And if you’re looking to make sure your dog is nice and tired after his walk, then the longer the better.

So how long can a dog walk, exactly? Well, that depends on a lot of things. First, there’s your dog’s breed, as well as his age. Each individual dog will also have a different level of stamina.

You might need to experiment a little bit to find the right amount of walking for your dog. But if you’re looking to tire your pup out fast, then a longer walk than usual is a great option.

2. Add some weights in a dog pack for walks

While you’re walking your dog, you could consider adding some weights in a backpack to help tire him out.

This is a great way to add in some resistance, keep your dog’s muscles strong, and tire him out faster.

If you’re adding weights, just make sure you’re not adding weights any heavier than 10% of your dog’s own body weight. This will prevent any injury.

3. Go swimming

One of the best ways to tire a dog out is by going for a swim. Water adds a lot of resistance, which means your dog’s muscles need to work harder. And because his muscles are working harder, he’ll get tired quickly!

Many dogs enjoy swimming, but not all do. Breeds like Poodles and Labrador Retrievers were bred to be able to swim well. But other breeds like Shih Tzus aren’t necessarily the swimming types.

And there are exceptions: my Mini Poodle Baloo hates water. Not sure what went wrong there 😉

The important thing is to make sure that your dog is safe while swimming. The AKC has a great guide for owners looking to teach their dogs to swim.

4. Go hiking

Hiking offers some more challenge than just a regular walk, which makes it a great way to tire your dog out.

Plus, hiking is super fun for you too! Who doesn’t love getting out and exploring nature?

Dogs make fantastic hiking companions. But if you’re thinking of going hiking with your dog, then it’s important that both of you are properly prepared.

If you’d like some more information on hiking with your dog, check out these articles:

• How Far Can a Dog Hike in a Day? Probably More Than You Think!
• Can Small Dogs Hike Long Distances? 9 Tips to Make It Work

5. Create an obstacle course

Agility and obstacle courses are great ways to work both your dog’s body and brain. He’ll get physical exercise as he navigates the course, and he needs to think hard to figure out where to go next.

And the best part about obstacle courses is that you don’t even need to leave the house to set one up for your dog! You can use things like chairs, hula hoops, and other household items to make your own obstacle course at home.

6. Join a dog sports club

If working your dog at home isn’t quite enough for him, then participating in a dog sport can be a fantastic way to tire your dog out quickly.

There are lots of different dog sports that you and your dog can join. Try a few different ones to see what you and your dog prefer! From agility to obedience to herding, there’s a dog sport for every dog.

One of the major benefits or participating in dog sports is that you also get to join communities of like-minded dog owners. Plus, doing dog sports with your dog will help build up the bond between you and your pup.

7. Play sniffing games

A dog’s nose is incredibly strong. That’s why your dog loves sniffing everything so much. His nose is how he learns about the world around him!

That means that sniffing games are a really good way to work your dog’s brain. And brain games require a lot of effort from your dog, which means they’ll tire him out fast.

There are lots of great sniffing games you can play with your dog.

You might also want to try some other brain games as well. If you’re looking for a great place to start, check out these 10 brain games for dogs to play at home.

8. Teach him new tricks

Anything that works your dog’s brain is a great way to tire your pup out. And teaching tricks is one of the best things you can do!

There are lots of fantastic tricks you can teach your dog. Check out these 11 easy dog tricks for beginners for a little extra inspiration.

9. Play a round of fetch

Does your dog love fetch? Fetch is a super fun way for you and your dog to burn off a little energy.

Grab a ball or your dog’s favorite toy and play a round or two of fetch to help tire out your dog.

This video from Zak George will help you teach your dog to love playing this game.

10. Go to the dog park

Heading to your local dog park and visiting other neighborhood dogs will help your dog for a few reasons. First, playing with other dogs burns off a lot of energy!

Playing with other dogs is also a great way to keep up your dog’s socialization skills.

Plus, it gives you the chance to make new friends as you chat with other dog owners at the park!

11. Use a food puzzle

Feeding time is a great opportunity to work your dog’s brain. Consider investing in a food puzzle or two, and make your dog work for his food.

There are lots of really great food puzzles available that will help tire out your dog’s mind. You’ll be surprised by how effective these puzzles are at burning off energy!

How to make a puppy tired fast?

Puppies tend to be little balls of energy for very short periods, and then they pass out completely. During their waking moments, tiring them out will help them stay calm and go for his naps more easily.

Puppies will probably require a little less work than an adult dog does to tire them out. With puppies, however, it’s important to make sure you’re tiring them out safely.

For some advice, check out How to Tire Out a Puppy—13 Ways that Help.

How to tire out a puppy at night?

If your puppy has a little bit of trouble settling down for bed at night, then tiring him out before will help.

Make sure you’re giving him adequate stimulation during the rest of the day.

Before bed, it’s best to go for something lower energy to help your puppy settle down. Brain games or teaching your dog some new tricks are fantastic ways to do that.

How to tire out your dog indoors?

If you’ve been under the impression that you need to take your dog outside to tire him out, think again! Even on days where the weather isn’t great or you just can’t make it outside, there are still lots of great ways to tire your pup out indoors.

Set up an obstacle course in your house for your dog to gain and demonstrate a little agility. A rope toy for a few rounds of tug is another great option.

And, of course, there are all those brain games you can play with your pup! And you’ll be able to play most brain games safely inside.

Conclusion

It’s important to make sure that you’re giving your dog enough exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog, after all.

Luckily, there are lots of super fun ways you can tire your dog out. Things like dog sports are great ways to meet other dog owners and build up the bond between you and your dog. Working your dog’s brain with food puzzles and new tricks will also make your dog nice and tired.

Make sure to try new things and switch up your activities to help keep things fresh. And most importantly, make sure that you and your dog are having plenty of fun no matter what you do!

Don’t forget to get your Hyper Puppy Training 101 today to get your puppy to calm down the quickest way possible.