Overwhelmed by Your Dog’s Energy? You Might Be Missing This Key Need
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your dog’s boundless energy, you’re not alone. Many dog owners struggle with controlling excitable or high-drive dogs, wondering if something is “wrong” or if they’re simply not doing enough. But the truth is, your dog’s high energy is completely natural and it’s rooted in biology far deeper than most people realise.
The Power Behind the Sniff
Dogs experience the world through their noses, so their sense of smell is their superpower, far more advanced than our own. While humans have around 5 to 6 million olfactory receptors, dogs have an astonishing 300 million. Their brains are also wired to process scent on a massive scale, with the part of the brain responsible for analysing smells being 40 times larger than in humans.
This means that when your dog sniffs a lamppost, they’re not just "having a sniff" they’re reading a full sensory novel. They know which dogs have been there, what mood they were in, what they’d eaten, and even how healthy they are. They can smell hormonal changes in humans, detect illness, and even remember places and emotions through scent.
Why This Matters for Energy and Behaviour
Here’s where things get interesting: because dogs rely so heavily on their sense of smell to explore and make sense of the world, not being given opportunities to use this skill can lead to frustration, restlessness, and what we often label as “bad behaviour.”
When a dog is under-stimulated, especially mentally, they’ll find their own outlets such as chewing, barking, jumping, pulling on the lead, or bouncing off the walls. What they actually need is targeted stimulation that satisfies their strongest natural drives.
This is where scent work and structured exercise become game-changers.
The Exercise Most People Overlook: Scent Work
Letting your dog sniff intentionally is one of the most powerful forms of exercise you can give them. A 20-minute scent walk where your dog is allowed to freely sniff and explore at their own pace can tire them out just as much, if not more, than a 60-minute jog.
Why? Because scenting is mentally taxing. It engages their brain, their body, and their emotions all at once.
And if you want to level it up even more, you can introduce scent games and enrichment activities at home! Hiding treats, toys, or using snuffle mats and scent trails to turn your dog into the detective they were born to be.
A Balanced Dog is a Fulfilled Dog
If you’re struggling with control, remember: a tired brain is a calm brain. Training and structure are important, but so is allowing your dog to just be a dog. Smelling is not a distraction it’s therapy and when you start engaging your dog’s nose in a meaningful way, you’ll often see dramatic improvements in behaviour, focus, and overall calmness.
At the end of the day, your high-energy dog isn’t broken. They’re brilliant. They just need an outlet that matches their instincts and we’re here to help you give them exactly that.
Need support with your energetic pup? Whether it’s through structured scent work, training plans, or tailored pet sitting that keeps your dog mentally enriched while you’re away, we’ve got your back. Reach out below to learn more! 🐾