19/10/2026
More exercise won't calm an overexcited walker 🐾
If your dog flips around at the front door, pulls, barks and can't focus once you're out, you're not alone. Many of us brought dogs into our lives so we could enjoy the outside world with them, so struggling on walks can feel really disheartening.
The first thing to say is that there absolutely is hope. Owners we've worked with who couldn't even get out of the front door without their dog flipping around like a fish are now having lovely, peaceful walks.
Here's the first aid advice Dr Tom and Dr Anita share, to stop things getting worse and start seeing some wins.
Why more exercise doesn't fix it
It's natural to think an overexcited dog just needs more exercise. But often their behaviour doesn't change, or they become even more stimulated. What's really happening is that they're getting fitter, so it's harder to tire them out. You end up stuck in a vicious cycle of longer and longer walks that neither of you enjoys. If you've tried this and it hasn't worked, that's completely fine.
Why it's worth tackling now
Left unresolved, overexcitement on walks can develop into other struggles:
• Reactivity to dogs or people
• Chasing
• Slipping out of walking equipment, or pulling the lead out of your hand and getting into danger
1. The walk starts in the house
Often the walk is lost before we even open the door, because our dog's brain is already down the street and round the corner. So put their lead and harness on, and instead of heading straight out, follow it with something calm or engaging:
• A long-lasting chew, lick mat or Kong
• Their favourite game: toy play, a little chase, or some training
Now the walking equipment means time with you, not a race to the door.
2. Teach a turn-away cue
This helps in the moment, and it teaches your dog the skill of disengaging from distractions. With your dog at your side, make a special noise, walk backwards and feed, feed, feed. Feed from your hand, or drop the food on the ground if your dog tends to nip.
• Train it at home first, where there are no distractions
• Use a noise kept only for this, rather than their name, so it's even more powerful
• Then take it outside, on walks with no distractions
Over time, your dog starts waiting for the privilege of turning back to you. So when a distraction pops up, it's much easier for them to re-engage with you.
3. Start with tiny loops
Put it all together on very short walks, perhaps just down the driveway to the neighbours' and back. Keep the engagement going back and forth, and bring their favourite activities along too. When your dog is choosing you on these little loops, add a little more distance, then a little more, until your normal walks look exactly how you want them to.
This isn't a one and done situation, and it's absolutely fine if it's a work in progress. Your dream walks really can start at your own front door.
Save this so you have it to hand, share it with a dog owner who needs it, and follow us for more Behaviour First Aid 👇
www.beha.vet
