Why Your Multiple Walks Are Still Not Tiring Your Dog Out

Raise your hand if you’ve ever found yourself pacing your HDB corridor in Singapore at odd hours, leash in hand, hoping another walk will finally calm your dog down. You might be thinking, “I feel like I walk my dog 20 times a day—why is he still bouncing off the walls?” It’s frustrating, and it can leave you feeling like you’re failing as a guardian. But here’s the thing: just walking may not be scratching the right itch for your dog.

What’s the Purpose of the Walk?

Before we dive into why your walks might not be cutting it, consider why you’re walking your dog in the first place. Maybe you’re hoping to “tire them out,” to get rid of pent-up energy so they’ll stop jumping on guests or barking at every sound. Afterall we’ve all heard the saying “a tired dog is a well behaved dog”. Maybe you’re trying to give them a chance to sniff around, see new sights, or just do their business. Most of us assume a walk covers all these bases.

But what if your dog’s “energy” isn’t just about physical exercise? What if those 20 walks a day aren’t achieving the result you want because your dog’s innate, breed-related needs aren’t being met?

Why the Walk Might Not Be Achieving the Results You Want

Physical exercise alone is often like giving a child a piece of paper and expecting them to create a masterpiece without markers or paint. Sure, you gave them “something,” but it’s not the right thing. For many dogs, mental stimulation and fulfilling breed-specific drives are equally—if not more—important than simply putting one paw in front of the other.

A dog bred to guard livestock might be bored stiff just strolling around your quiet Singapore neighborhood. A dog bred to track scents through dense forests might be left feeling unsatisfied after a suburban loop. Simply put, walks can be too “one-size-fits-all”, whereas our dogs are varied in their needs and preferences.

How Breed Affects the Outlets They Need

Dogs have been selectively bred for centuries to excel at specific tasks: hunting, herding, guarding, retrieving, and more. Each breed (or group of breeds) comes with certain natural inclinations and talents. When these natural “jobs” aren’t provided, dogs can become restless, frustrated, or even develop or worsen behavioral issues such as aggression, reactivity, anxiety and noise sensitivity

Performing breed-appropriate activities is like finally scratching an itch that’s been bothering your dog all day. While a walk is decent exercise, it might not hit the spot in the dog’s brain to truly satisfy them.

Kim Brophy’s, an applied ethologist and canine behavior consultant, identifies 10 broad genetic breed groups. Each group was selectively bred for different tasks, meaning what’s naturally fulfilling to them differs. Finding breed-specific outlets for your dog is key to truly “tiring them out” in a way that satisfies both body and mind.

A retriever retrieving, a herder herding, a scent hound sniffing out trails—these activities are deeply satisfying on a genetic level. When your dog gets to do what they were made to do, it’s inherently rewarding, providing mental enrichment that a mere walk may never achieve. Think of it like finally getting that nasi lemak from your favorite hawker stall—just hits the spot!

What Sorts of Activities Are Most Useful for Each of the 10 Breed Groups?

Leveraging Kim Brophy’s Family Dog Practitioner model, here’s a brief overview of 10 groups and some suggested activities:

Natural Dog

• Examples: Shiba Inu, Chow Chow
• Purpose: Ancient/primitive origins, adapted for versatile survival and often independent problem-solving.
• Outlets: Puzzle feeders, nose work, letting them make choices during walks. They appreciate having some say in their routine and activities that tap into their independent nature.

Sighthound

• Examples: Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, Whippet
• Purpose: Chase prey using sight.
• Outlets: A flirt pole (toy on a string) to chase, short sprints in a safe, enclosed field, or lure coursing simulations. Quick bursts of speed are more satisfying than endless slow walks.

Guardian

• Examples: Rottweiler, Doberman, Bullmastiff
• Purpose: Protect property or family, remain alert.
• Outlets: Low-key “patrol” games, puzzle toys requiring calm alertness. They love having a “job” that involves watchfulness and controlled presence.

Toy Dog

• Examples: Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Maltese, Pugs
• Purpose: Bred primarily for companionship, less intense “work.”
• Outlets: Short sniffy walks, small puzzle toys, gentle trick training sessions, and positive social interactions. They thrive on engagement and close human connection (with consent!)

Bulldog

• Examples: French Bulldog, English Bulldog, 
• Purpose: Historically involved in strength-based tasks, now mostly companions.
• Outlets: Short, mentally engaging tasks, low-impact strength-based games like gentle tug, puzzle feeders. Mental challenges often trump long, tiring exercises due to their build and breathing issues.

Scent Hound

• Examples: Beagle, Dachshund
• Purpose: Track scents over distances.
• Outlets: Nose work, scent games, hiding treats around the home or a quiet corner of a Singapore park, letting them sniff their way through trails of goodies. Letting their nose guide them is key.

Gundog

• Examples: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel
• Purpose: Retrieve game, working closely with humans.
• Outlets: Complex fetch games (find specific toys), water retrieves if you can find a safe spot, or nose work combined with retrieving tasks. Cooperative exercises that tap into their teamwork are ideal.
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Terrier

• Examples: Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Westies
• Purpose: Hunt vermin, dig and flush out prey.
• Outlets: Digging boxes filled with safe material, flirt poles, puzzle toys that require working for their reward. Controlled digging spots or “find the toy” under blankets can direct their tenacious instincts positively.

Herding Dog

• Examples: Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Australian Shephard, German Shephard
• Purpose: Move livestock in controlled patterns.
• Outlets: Obedience drills, treibball (herding large exercise balls), complex trick training requiring precision and focus. Give them tasks that let them direct movement and respond to cues.

World Dog

• Examples: Singapore Specials (local mixed-breed dogs)
• Purpose: Adapted to survive with generalist skills and independence.
• Outlets: Puzzle feeders, letting them choose walking routes, varying daily activities, nose work. They thrive on novelty, decision-making, and diverse experiences.

Conclusion

If you’re walking your dog several times a day and still not seeing the results you want, consider shifting your approach. Understanding your dog’s breed background and the tasks they were designed to perform can help you provide more meaningful outlets. Doing what they were bred for is inherently rewarding—like finally stepping into an air-conditioned mall on a blistering Singapore afternoon after trudging around in the heat. It hits the spot in a way that nothing else quite can.

By incorporating breed-specific activities that tap into their natural instincts, you’ll create a more mentally and emotionally fulfilling routine. Your dog will likely become calmer, more content, and yes, even “tired” in all the right ways. Instead of wearing yourself out on endless walks, you’ll be strategically channeling their energy into something truly satisfying for both of you.