Both physical and mental exercises are essential to keep a dog occupied and “out of trouble” – and this is particularly true for herding dogs, most especially for young ones. Optimally, your dog needs to exercise to the point of “tiredness” daily. Frequently, behavior problems in dogs can be addressed simply by increasing the amount of exercise the dog gets. This can be challenging when everyone leaves the house to go to work for the day.

Here are some ideas others have used to help:

For physical exercise, the dog really needs to do some running. A walk around the block — or even several blocks — is not enough exercise for most cattle dogs! Fetch games (ball, Frisbee, etc.) when you are at home are a good way to provide excellent exercise. If you have a large area available where distant throws are possible (park, open area), the dog can get a lot of running in without the requirement of too much work on the part of the human. Even short retrieves in a small area, done repeatedly, will work. Indoors, such games played up/down stairs can increase the effort required of the dog in a rather limited area.

You might also consider teaching obedience and/or agility exercises and doing regular practice. These have the advantage of offering both physical and mental burn in one package and can help tire a dog out.

Having a professional dog walker come in during the day (or a willing teenager or neighbor) to take the dog out for a walk and play session can help tremendously. Some people have found that placing the dog in doggy “day care” a few times a week has made a huge difference.

Mental exercise means requiring the dog to think, and this also contributes to a well-behaved dog. Try teaching tricks, scent games, hide and find games – indoors or out.

It also helps to replace the “free-food-in-a-bowl” meals with situations where the dog must work for his daily rations. Try stuffing your dog’s meal into a Kong or two and leaving them for him to work on while you’re gone. Or consider scattering the kibble about widely (indoors or out) for him to hunt down his meal.

Even if you do not feed this way (and it is highly recommended), you can still use stuffed Kongs, etc., and other treat dispensing toys to provide occupation and stimulation for the dog. A RAW, meaty bone will also occupy most dogs for quite a while. All of these also constitute mental exercise as well as occupy their time.

You might also consider hanging a tug toy (from a doorway inside or tree, etc., outdoors) if you dog likes to play this way.

Be inventive and you’ll find lots of ways to keep your dog busy and occupied even when you’re not there. But if your dog is destructive, please consider a crate or ex-pen as confinement while you’re not there to supervise. (Use those stuffed Kongs, etc., in the crate) Dogs do not mind, as they are natural den animals. Just make sure that when you do get home, the dog receives ample physical exercise. And a walk will probably be good for you, too! 

Last updated on February 24, 2011 by Marianne Ahern