You’ve been trying to run the reactivity out of your dog. You’ve extended your walks, thrown the ball until your arm ached, and hoped that physical exhaustion would lead to peace. Instead, your dog may simply be getting fitter while the underlying behavior remains unchanged. They have more stamina, but the same anxiety, frustration, or arousal can still fuel barking and lunging. This is a common trap. The solution isn’t more of the same. To see real change, we have to shift our focus from pure physical output to mental and emotional satisfaction. Answering how much exercise does a reactive dog need involves finding the right balance of activities that decompress their mind and fulfill their instincts.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Swap long, stressful walks for mentally tiring activities like “sniffaris” or puzzle toys in quiet environments. A calm mind is more important than an exhausted body for reducing reactivity.
• Pair Exercise with Structured Training: Exercise is a powerful tool for lowering stress, but it doesn’t teach your dog new coping skills. Real change comes from combining a good exercise routine with training that teaches your dog what to do instead of reacting.
• Proactively Manage Your Environment: Set your dog up for success by becoming their advocate on walks. This involves choosing quiet times and places, creating distance from triggers, and learning to read your dog’s body language so you can leave before they become overwhelmed.

What Is a Reactive Dog?

If you dread taking your dog for a walk because you’re worried about them lunging, barking, or growling at other dogs, people, or even passing cars, you might have a reactive dog. It’s a term we hear a lot, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, a reactive dog has an outsized, over-the-top reaction to normal, everyday things. It’s not that they’re “bad,” but that they become so overwhelmed by a trigger that they can’t think clearly, making it hard for you to get their attention or control the situation. This behavior can be stressful and isolating for you and your dog, but understanding the “what” and “why” behind it is the first step toward making things better. Managing it well isn’t about simply avoiding every trigger forever, though. A balanced, individualized approach helps your dog actually stay under control, respond to you, and make better choices around real-world distractions and triggers.

What reactive behavior looks like

A reactive episode is more than just a simple bark. It’s an intense emotional response where your dog becomes overly aroused. When this happens, they may lunge at the end of the leash, bark or growl uncontrollably, and seem completely fixated on their trigger. You might also notice physical changes in your dog’s body that signal they’re in a state of high alert. Look for a tense, stiff posture, wide eyes with dilated pupils, rapid panting, or even excess drooling. In these moments, your dog isn’t being stubborn; they’re so overwhelmed by their emotions that they genuinely struggle to process your cues.

Reactivity vs. aggression: what’s the difference?

It’s easy to see a dog lunging and barking and immediately label it as aggression, but there’s a key difference. Reactivity is an emotional response, often rooted in fear, anxiety, or frustration. The dog is saying, “Go away! You make me uncomfortable!” Aggression, on the other hand, includes behaviors such as threatening, attempting to bite, or biting and can arise from fear, frustration, resource guarding, territorial behavior, or other motivations. While a reactive display can look scary, it doesn’t automatically mean your dog is aggressive. However, it’s important to take it seriously. As experts note, reactivity can turn into aggression if it isn’t addressed, which makes proper training and management so critical. Working with a reactive dog isn’t about avoiding every trigger or continually moving away from them. A balanced plan depends on the individual dog and may pair appropriate exercise and decompression with environmental management, reinforcement, structured obedience, clear boundaries, leash guidance, impulse-control work, accountability, and fair, appropriate corrections.

Common causes of reactivity in dogs

Reactivity rarely comes out of nowhere. More often than not, it’s a learned behavior that stems from a few common sources. A lack of socialization during puppyhood can leave a dog unprepared to handle new sights and sounds. A single scary experience, like being rushed by an off-leash dog, can also create a lasting fear. For some dogs, it can be genetic, meaning they are simply predisposed to being more sensitive or high-strung. In many cases, it’s a combination of factors that leads a dog to feel like they need to have big, loud reactions to protect themselves from perceived threats.

How Exercise Helps a Reactive Dog

When you’re dealing with a reactive dog, it’s easy to think that more training is the only answer. But one of the most powerful tools for changing behavior is something much more fundamental: exercise. A properly exercised dog isn’t just less antsy; they are physically and mentally prepared to learn. Their baseline stress level is lower, their mind is calmer, and they are far more capable of handling the challenges of the world around them.

But it’s not as simple as just running your dog until they’re tired. For a reactive dog, the quality of the exercise is far more important than the quantity. The right kind of activity can be a game-changer, while the wrong kind can actually make the reactivity worse. Understanding how to use exercise correctly is a key part of creating lasting behavior change.

The physical benefits

The most obvious benefit of exercise is that it helps your dog release pent-up physical energy. A dog that’s been cooped up all day is a bundle of nervous energy, which can easily spill over into reactivity. Their body is tense, their mind is racing, and they’re on high alert for anything that looks out of place. This state of physical readiness makes them much more likely to overreact to a trigger.

By providing appropriate physical outlets, you help lower their baseline level of arousal. A dog that has had a chance to run, play, and stretch is physically more relaxed. This doesn’t solve reactivity on its own, but it creates a dog who is in a much better state to learn and practice new, calmer behaviors. It sets the stage for successful behavior modification by ensuring your dog isn’t fighting their own physical needs.

The mental and emotional benefits

Exercise for a reactive dog should be about more than just physical exhaustion. It’s also a critical opportunity for mental stimulation and emotional release. Activities that allow your dog to engage their natural instincts, like sniffing, exploring new places, and problem-solving, are incredibly calming. Think of a long, meandering “sniffari” where your dog gets to lead the way and investigate every interesting smell. This kind of activity is mentally tiring in the best way possible.

These instinctual activities can provide a productive outlet for your dog and help reduce overall stress and arousal. It’s the canine equivalent of us taking a relaxing walk in nature to clear our heads. When a dog’s mental and emotional needs are met, they become more resilient and less likely to be thrown off balance by everyday stressors.

Why the right exercise matters more than the amount

Here’s the tricky part of owning a reactive dog: they desperately need exercise, but many common forms of exercise can make their reactivity worse. A walk through a busy neighborhood filled with other dogs, people, and loud noises isn’t relaxing for a reactive dog. Instead, it becomes a stressful event where they are constantly on edge and practicing their reactive behaviors over and over. This doesn’t tire them out; it just fills their stress bucket to the brim.

The goal is to provide exercise in a way that reduces stress, not adds to it. This means choosing low-trigger environments where your dog can relax and just be a dog. Finding secure, quiet places for them to run and explore is far more beneficial than a chaotic trip to the dog park. Our board and train programs are built on this principle of creating structured, positive experiences that build confidence instead of reinforcing fear and reactivity.

How Much Exercise Does Your Reactive Dog Need?

Finding the right amount of exercise for a reactive dog can feel like a tricky balancing act. There isn’t a magic number of miles to run or minutes to play fetch. The real goal is to provide fulfilling activity that calms their mind and tires their body, rather than just winding them up. For a reactive dog, the quality of the exercise is far more important than the quantity. The right routine helps lower stress and makes them more receptive to training, while the wrong kind can leave them more anxious and on-edge than before.

Consider your dog’s breed, age, and energy

Every dog is an individual, and their exercise needs reflect that. A two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer will have vastly different requirements than a ten-year-old bulldog. Think about what your dog was originally bred to do. Herding and sporting breeds often have a deep need for both a physical outlet and a mental “job.” Your dog’s age and overall health also play a huge role.

The key is to aim for a combination of physical and mental tiredness. As the experts at Sniffspot point out, a dog who only gets physical exercise just builds more stamina, becoming an athlete who needs more and more activity to feel tired. On the other hand, a dog who only gets mental stimulation might still have pent-up energy that comes out as restlessness or reactivity.

Signs your dog needs more (good) exercise

Is your dog trying to tell you they need a better outlet for their energy? Unmet needs often show up as problem behaviors. It’s not that your dog is being “bad”; they’re communicating that they have energy to burn and don’t know what to do with it. If you’re seeing a pattern of these behaviors, it might be a sign that your current exercise routine isn’t quite hitting the mark.

Look for these common signs:

• Destructive chewing, digging, or shredding things at home
• Increased reactivity or frustration on walks
• General restlessness, pacing, or whining
• Difficulty settling down, especially in the evening
• Over-the-top excitement at small things, like you grabbing your keys

These are often the exact behavioral challenges that lead owners to seek professional help.

Signs your dog is overstimulated or overtired

For reactive dogs, more exercise isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, it can be part of the problem, especially if it’s happening in a stressful environment. Pushing your dog past their limit can increase stress and arousal, making it harder for them to respond calmly and think through what you’re asking. This state is often called “trigger stacking,” where multiple small stressors build up until the dog can no longer cope.

Learning to read your dog’s body language is critical. An overstimulated dog might show a tense body and face, have wide, dilated pupils, or start panting rapidly when it isn’t hot. You might also see excessive drooling or even teeth chattering. When you see these signs, it’s time to end the activity and give your dog a quiet space to decompress.

The Best Types of Exercise for Reactive Dogs

When you have a reactive dog, it’s easy to think the solution is to run them until they can’t run anymore. But the goal isn’t just physical exhaustion; it’s about creating a calm, satisfied state of mind. The right kind of exercise achieves both. A dog who only gets physical exercise can become a super-fit athlete who needs more and more activity to feel tired. On the other hand, a dog who only gets mental stimulation might still have pent-up energy that fuels their anxiety and reactivity.

The magic happens when you find the right balance. The best exercise for a reactive dog is an activity that engages their brain as much as their body. This approach helps lower their overall stress levels, builds their confidence, and makes them less likely to react to triggers. Instead of just burning off energy, you’re channeling it into productive, calming activities. Think of it as giving your dog a fulfilling job to do. This shift in focus from quantity to quality of exercise can make a world of difference for both you and your dog.

Enrichment walks and “sniffaris”

Let’s reframe the daily walk. Instead of a structured march from point A to point B, turn it into a “sniffari.” This is a walk where your dog gets to lead the way with their nose. Sniffing is one of the most natural and mentally draining activities for a dog. It allows them to gather information about their environment, which is incredibly enriching and satisfying for them. A 20-minute sniffari can be more tiring than a 30-minute brisk walk because it requires so much brainpower. Let them linger on interesting smells and explore at their own pace (on a long line, in a safe area, of course). This simple change helps exercise your reactive dog in a way that calms their nervous system instead of heightening it.

Secure off-leash decompression

One of the biggest challenges for owners of reactive dogs is finding a safe place for them to run freely. The constant scanning for triggers at a public park can be stressful for everyone. This is where secure, private spaces are a game-changer. Renting a private, fenced-in field or a large, secure yard allows your dog to experience the joy of running off-leash without any risk of encountering other dogs or people unexpectedly. This kind of decompression time is vital for their well-being. It lets them burn off physical energy, stretch their legs, and just be a dog in a stress-free environment. You can find these spaces through services like Sniffspot, which connects dog owners with safe, private areas to rent by the hour.

Brain games and puzzle toys

Exercise doesn’t always have to happen outdoors. Mental stimulation indoors is just as important, especially on days when an outdoor adventure feels too overwhelming. Brain games and puzzle toys are fantastic tools for this. These toys require your dog to think, problem-solve, and work to get their food or treats. Activities like using a snuffle mat, a slow feeder, or an interactive puzzle give your dog a productive job to do. This builds their confidence as they successfully figure out the challenge and get rewarded for their effort. It’s a simple way to tire them out mentally and prevent boredom, which can sometimes lead to anxious behaviors.

Using training as mental exercise

Training is one of the most powerful forms of mental exercise you can provide. A short, 10-minute training session can leave your dog more satisfied and tired than a much longer walk. Working on cues, learning new tricks, or practicing foundational obedience engages your dog’s mind and strengthens your bond. Instead of thinking of it as a chore, approach training as a fun game. Keep sessions short, positive, and engaging. This not only provides excellent mental stimulation but also reinforces the skills your dog needs to manage their reactivity in the real world. Structured training is a core part of our behavior modification programs because it teaches dogs how to think and make good choices, which is the foundation for lasting change.

How to Safely Exercise Your Reactive Dog

Exercising a reactive dog can feel like walking on eggshells. You want to give them the physical and mental outlet they need, but every walk is a gamble. The key isn’t to avoid the world entirely, but to manage it strategically. By creating safe and predictable exercise routines, you can lower your dog’s stress, build their confidence, and actually enjoy your time together. It’s about quality over quantity, and safety over speed. Here are four practical ways to make your dog’s exercise a positive experience for both of you.

Choose the right time and place

The environment you walk in can either set your dog up for success or for failure. A busy park during peak hours is full of triggers, making a reaction almost inevitable. Instead, become a strategist. Choose quiet walking routes with fewer distractions, like residential streets away from main roads or less-trafficked nature trails. Walking during off-peak hours, such as early in the morning or later in the evening, can make a world of difference. Remember, a short, peaceful walk is far more beneficial for a reactive dog than a long, stressful one. If the only option is a chaotic environment, consider skipping the walk in favor of indoor brain games.

Manage distance from triggers

Distance is your best friend when managing reactivity. Every dog has a threshold, which is the point at which a trigger (like another dog) becomes too close and they feel the need to react. Your goal is to keep your dog “sub-threshold,” meaning you maintain enough space so they can see the trigger without panicking. On real walks, you need to give your dog much more distance than you might in a controlled training session. This might mean crossing the street, ducking behind a parked car, or turning into a driveway the moment you spot a potential trigger. By proactively creating space, you prevent a reaction and show your dog that you are there to keep them safe. Here’s the key distinction: creating distance before your dog reacts is smart management that keeps them under threshold, and it’s different from leaving only after a reaction, which can accidentally reward the outburst (see below). Distance is one useful tool in a balanced approach, not the end goal. Used alongside structured training, it lowers stress and gives your dog a chance to learn how to respond, so over time they need less space and fewer escapes.

Teach an “emergency U-turn”

Even with the best planning, you’ll sometimes find yourself in a tight spot. That’s where an “emergency U-turn” comes in. This is a cued behavior where you and your dog quickly turn and walk in the opposite direction. Start practicing this at home in a low-distraction area, making it a fun game. Say your cue, such as “Let’s go,” turn smoothly in the opposite direction, and guide your dog with you. Practice the movement in low-distraction settings first so it becomes familiar before you need it around a trigger. With practice, your dog will learn to whip around happily when they hear the cue. This simple skill is a game-changer on walks, allowing you to smoothly exit a situation before your dog has a chance to react.

Take breaks to prevent overwhelm

Reactivity isn’t just about one big trigger. It’s often the result of “trigger stacking,” where small stressors accumulate until your dog can’t handle any more. A car backfiring, a person appearing suddenly, and a distant dog barking can all add up. To prevent this overwhelm, build breaks into your walks. After successfully passing a trigger from a distance, find a quiet spot to let your dog sniff, scatter a few treats in the grass, or just sit calmly with you for a minute. These moments of decompression help your dog’s nervous system reset. Creating a supportive environment where your dog feels secure is essential for reducing the likelihood of a reactive episode.

Read Your Dog’s Body Language During Exercise

One of the most powerful skills you can develop is learning to read your dog’s body language. Dogs are constantly communicating how they feel, but their signals can be subtle. During exercise, paying close attention to these cues is the difference between a productive outing and a stressful one that ends in a reaction. When you can see your dog is becoming uncomfortable before they start barking and lunging, you can step in and guide them out of the situation. This proactive approach prevents your dog from practicing reactive behavior and, more importantly, shows them that you are their advocate.

Think of it like a volume dial. A relaxed dog is at a 1 or 2. As they encounter things in the environment, that volume might turn up to a 3 or 4. A trigger, like another dog appearing, can crank it straight to 10. Your job is to watch for the signs that the volume is creeping up so you can turn it back down. When a dog becomes overly aroused by a trigger, their brain is so flooded with stress hormones that they can’t process instructions. They aren’t ignoring you on purpose; they are simply over their limit and unable to think clearly. Learning to spot the early warnings helps you keep your dog under that threshold, where they can still listen, learn, and enjoy their walk with you.

Spot the signs of stress

Before a dog has a full-blown reaction, they almost always show smaller signs of stress. Recognizing these early signals is your key to preventing a meltdown. When a dog is becoming over-aroused, their body gets tense. You might notice their pupils are wide and dilated, or they may start panting even if it’s not hot. Some dogs will lick their lips repeatedly or start to drool.

Other subtle signs include a tightly closed mouth, a stiff body posture, or even chattering teeth. These are all indicators that your dog’s stress levels are rising and they are struggling to cope with their environment. This state of over-arousal is what leads to reactive behavior, where a dog is so preoccupied with a trigger that they become difficult to control.

What to do when your dog hits their limit

When your dog crosses their threshold, the immediate priority is to get them back into a state where they can think and listen. Calmly creating space and turning away is a practical way to do that, because a dog who is over their limit can’t process your cues and dragging them deeper into the trigger only digs the habit in. But creating space is the starting point, not the whole plan. It keeps your dog safe and calm while you build the real solution: structured training that teaches them to check in with you, maintain self-control, and respond calmly around real-world triggers, so they need less distance and fewer escapes over time.

This simple act of creating space is a huge trust-builder. It shows your dog they don’t have to handle scary situations on their own by barking and lunging. Instead, they learn to look to you for guidance. If you’re too late and your dog is already reacting, stay calm and avoid adding unnecessary tension or emotion to the situation. Use your practiced U-turn or appropriate leash guidance to regain control and create enough space for your dog to settle. The key is to understand a reactive dog and work within their limits while steadily training them to handle more. Management and training go together: space keeps you safe, and training grows your dog’s ability to stay under control around the things that used to set them off.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Exercising a Reactive Dog

When you’re trying to help your reactive dog, it’s easy to fall into a few common traps with exercise. You have the best intentions, but some approaches can accidentally make the problem worse instead of better. Understanding these pitfalls is the first step toward creating an exercise routine that truly calms your dog’s mind and body. Let’s look at three mistakes we see owners make all the time.

Assuming more exercise is a magic fix

It’s a logical thought: a tired dog is a good dog. So, you might try taking your reactive dog for longer runs or more intense games of fetch, hoping to burn off that excess energy. The problem is, focusing only on physical exertion can create a “canine athlete” with incredible stamina but the same level of anxiety. Your dog might be physically exhausted, but their mind is still on high alert. The real goal isn’t just to tire them out; it’s to help them decompress. A properly exercised dog is easier to train because their needs are met. This means balancing physical activity with mental stimulation that encourages calmness, not just more running.

Exercising in trigger-filled areas

You want your dog to enjoy the world, so you head to the popular neighborhood trail or dog-friendly park. But for a reactive dog, these places are often a minefield of triggers. Every time your dog sees another dog, person, or bike and has a reaction, they are practicing and reinforcing that behavior. It’s like rehearsing the wrong lines for a play. This creates a frustrating cycle: your dog needs exercise, but the places you go for exercise make their reactivity worse. Instead, successful behavior modification starts with managing the environment to prevent reactions, giving your dog’s nervous system a chance to relax and learn.

Unintentionally rewarding reactivity

This is one of the trickiest mistakes because it comes from a place of love. When your dog starts barking and lunging, your instinct may be to soothe them or immediately focus all of your attention on the reaction. In that moment, the priority should be regaining control, reducing arousal, and guiding your dog toward the behavior you want instead. Another common scenario is quickly turning and leaving the situation as soon as your dog reacts. Your dog learns, “When I bark, the scary thing goes away.” The distinction from the management tips above is timing: creating space before your dog reacts keeps them under threshold and sets up training, but leaving as a response to the reaction can turn the escape into the reward. So make space when you need to, but don’t let the reaction itself be what removes the pressure. Instead, focus on rewarding the good stuff. Reward calm behavior whenever you see it, especially in moments when you’d normally expect a reaction. Catch them being quiet, and you’ll start to see more of it.

Is Exercise Enough to Fix Reactivity?

While the right kind of exercise is a game-changer for a reactive dog, it’s rarely the complete solution. Think of it as a crucial part of the foundation, not the entire house. A well-exercised dog has less pent-up energy and stress, which makes them more receptive to training. But exercise alone doesn’t teach your dog how to handle their triggers or what to do instead of barking and lunging.

To truly change reactive behavior, you need to combine physical activity with structured training and a solid management plan. This combination addresses both the dog’s physical needs and the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns driving the reactivity. It’s about creating a calm state of mind and then teaching new skills within that state.

Why exercise is a tool, not a total solution

Proper exercise is one of the most important foundations for helping a reactive dog. A dog with an outlet for their energy is significantly easier to train and lives with less stress. However, simply tiring your dog out won’t fix the root cause of their reactivity. If you exercise your dog in environments full of triggers, you might just give them more opportunities to rehearse the exact behaviors you want to stop.

Exercise helps manage your dog’s threshold by reducing stress and anxiety, but it doesn’t teach them coping skills. It prepares their mind for learning, but it doesn’t replace the lesson itself. The goal is to use exercise to create a calm, focused dog who is ready to learn new, better ways of responding to the world.

The role of structured training

This is where the real transformation happens. Structured training gives your dog a new job to do when they encounter a trigger. Instead of reacting, they learn to look to you for guidance. This process builds their confidence and strengthens your relationship. It’s not about suppressing their feelings, but about giving them a more productive way to handle them.

Effective training involves teaching skills like focus, disengagement, and calm behavior around triggers. These focus and engagement exercises provide essential mental stimulation that can be just as tiring as physical activity. A balanced program draws on multiple tools depending on the dog: reinforcement, structured obedience, clear boundaries, leash guidance, impulse-control work, accountability, and, when appropriate, fair corrections. By creating clear, fair communication, you teach your dog what you want them to do, building a reliable pattern of behavior that holds up in real-life situations.

When to call a professional trainer

Living with a reactive dog can be isolating and stressful. If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of the next step, a professional trainer can help identify what’s driving the behavior and build a clear plan for your individual dog. A qualified trainer can provide a clear, customized plan that removes the guesswork and helps you see real progress. They act as your coach, guiding both you and your dog through the process.

For many busy families, an immersive behavior modification program can create lasting change by establishing a strong foundation in a controlled environment. A professional can address the behavior head-on and, just as importantly, teach you how to maintain the training once your dog is home. This support empowers you to feel confident with your dog anywhere you go.

Related Articles

• How to Calm a Reactive Dog on a Walk: A Guide
• Reactive Dog Walk Guide: Calm Tips & Training | Medina Dogs Training
• Reactive Dog Threshold: How to Keep Your Dog Under Threshold
• Impulse Control Training for Reactive Dogs | Medina Dogs Training
• Reactive Dog Body Language: Early Warning Signs Before a Reaction

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog is too reactive to walk in my neighborhood. How can I exercise them safely? This is a really common challenge, and it’s smart to look for alternatives instead of forcing a stressful walk. Focus on activities in low-trigger environments. You can try turning your walk into a “sniffari” by driving to a quiet industrial park or cemetery during off-hours and letting your dog explore on a long leash. Renting a secure, private field for an hour gives your dog a wonderful chance to run freely without you having to worry. Don’t forget that mental exercise is just as tiring, so using puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and short, fun training sessions at home are fantastic ways to provide fulfillment without the stress.

Will running my dog until they’re exhausted stop their reactivity? It’s a tempting idea, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way and can sometimes backfire. When you focus only on intense physical activity, you risk creating a super-fit dog who still feels anxious and just has more stamina. The goal isn’t just a tired body; it’s a calm mind. True fulfillment comes from a balance of physical and mental activity. A long, meandering sniff walk or a 15-minute training session can often do more to lower stress and create a relaxed dog than an hour of frantic fetch.

How can I tell if my dog is getting the right amount of exercise? Your dog will give you clues. If your dog is consistently restless, destructive at home, or seems to have a very short fuse on walks, it might be a sign their needs aren’t being met. They may need more productive outlets for their energy. On the other hand, more isn’t always better. If you notice your dog seems more on edge after an activity, with a tense body, wide eyes, or excessive panting, they might be overstimulated, not tired. The goal is to find that sweet spot where your dog is content and relaxed at home, not frantic or frazzled.

Is my dog’s reactivity the same as aggression? This is an important distinction. Reactivity is typically an over-the-top emotional reaction rooted in fear or frustration. A reactive dog’s barking and lunging is often a desperate attempt to make a scary thing (like another dog) go away. Aggression, however, involves the intent to cause harm. While a reactive display can look intimidating, it doesn’t automatically mean your dog is aggressive. That said, it’s critical to take reactivity seriously, as unaddressed fear and frustration can potentially lead to aggressive behavior if the dog feels they have no other choice.

If I follow all this exercise advice, will my dog’s reactivity go away? Proper exercise is a huge piece of the puzzle, but it’s not the whole solution. Think of it as preparing your dog to learn. It lowers their stress and gives them an outlet, which creates a calmer state of mind. However, exercise alone doesn’t teach your dog what to do instead of reacting. That’s where structured training comes in. Training gives your dog new skills and teaches them to look to you for guidance when they feel unsure. Combining a great exercise routine with a solid training plan is what creates true, lasting behavior change.