10/23/2026
Reactive dog that can't settle? It might not need more exercise. It might need more sleep. 😴
Those frantic zoomies with wide eyes, the dog who can't stop moving and reacts to every little noise... that's not "too much energy." That's usually a tired nervous system running on adrenaline.
Most adult dogs need around 12–14 hours of sleep a day. Before you add another 5-mile walk or more fetch, try this:
✔️ Enforced naps after big activity
✔️ Quiet, low-stimulation afternoons
✔️ Sniffing and chews instead of chasing
Meet their sleep needs first and watch their baseline stress (and reactivity) come down, without exhausting yourself trying to tire them out.
📌 Save this for the next time your dog is bouncing off the walls.
📲 Send it to a friend with a "hyper" dog.
