Is your dog still hyper after a game of fetch or a long walk? Are they still showing problem behaviors such as chewing, excessive barking, and constantly "on"? It might be that your dog is getting plenty of physical exercise but isn't getting worked mentally.

It is a common misconception for owners that if they physically exercise their dog enough, they should be tired. That just creates a marathon runner. Most dogs also need mental exercise to tire their brains out.

Training sessions are a form of mental exercise (especially stationary ones like "down" or "place") and holding your dog accountable for the commands they know. However, it's always good to change things up a bit. In this section, we go over ways to mentally stimulate your dog and how to engage their brain.