Murphy is what I call an "iPad dog”— a pup who constantly needs engagement and doesn’t seem to naturally have an “off switch.” At first, I thought I just needed to keep him entertained as much as possible. But that quickly became exhausting. His ideal state is to almost always be on the move—mentally and physically.
Murphy is a Norwegian Elkhound puppy. Wondering if a Norwegian Elkhound is the right fit for you? While they can be excellent family companions, they’re not ideal for every home. Originally bred for demanding hunts, these dogs have high energy levels and need regular exercise to stay happy and well-behaved. Without enough physical activity, they may become destructive or vocal. However, if you lead an active lifestyle, this adventurous and outdoorsy breed will thrive—whether it’s hiking, swimming, or joining in on dog sports.
Here’s what we’ve done to help Murphy—and ourselves— to find some balance and harmony. This story likely applies to other high energy breeds like German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain dogs, terriers and retrievers.
In my experience, if you think you’re giving your high-energy dog enough physical exercise, you may not be. Murphy thrives on exercise, and for whatever I think is enough, more is better!
Exercise as a primer for being open to training: When they are physically satisfied, they are ready to listen during lower-energy activities, like training.
Structured rest during exercise: Building in breaks doubles as boredom training and prevents high energy dogs from growing so much stamina that you've then created a triathlete dog who never tires. This looks like multiple walks a day with one that’s longer, ideally an hour or so.
If this routine sounds like too much, a high-energy breed may not be the right fit. If you’re up for it, the benefits are worth the effort.
One thing I didn’t realize early on was that puppies need a lot of sleep—more than I imagined. The average young puppy sleeps 16-20 hours a day! When Murphy would whine or act out, I used to assume he was bored. I’d try to entertain him, but I’ve since realized this was the wrong assumption. He was overtired and needed me to help him settle.
Forced rest in his crate has been a game-changer. When Murphy gets the sleep he needs, he reemerges refreshed and much more manageable.
Murphy’s boundless energy isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. To keep his mind engaged, we’ve incorporated a variety of enrichment style activities including training, puzzles, playing games, or scent work. Puzzles are particularly good for helping your pup develop coping mechanisms for frustration while you are not around. I likely wouldn’t rely on them for constant entertainment - as the solve time gets shorter each time anyway - but they’re important for their sense of mental satisfaction.
Boredom training was by far the hardest thing for me to practice with Murphy. The goal? Teach your dog to lay calmly at your feet and do nothing. No treats for staying, just leash corrections if they try to leave to reinforce calm behavior. At first, this felt impossible. Murphy was so used to constant engagement that he struggled to just be.
We started small—just a few minutes while I watched TV. Over time, we worked up to 20 minutes. It was a slow process, but the results have been incredible. Now, Murphy can sit and chill with us, something we thought would never happen in the early months of pup parenthood. I felt a lot of guilt around leaving the pup be, so my husband always had to remind me: it’s not my job to entertain Murphy 24/7. This has been an important part of living with balance and harmony with an Elkhound pup.
The other day, we looked at Murphy and marveled at how far he’s come in 10 months. From a puppy who never seemed to stop, he’s now able to sit calmly by our side, content and relaxed.
If you’re training a high-energy breed, remember: patience, consistency, and intentional practices will pay off. Celebrate the small wins along the way, and most importantly, enjoy the process of building a bond with your dog.
