How to Tire Out Your Dog Before Bedtime Using Brain Workouts
If you’ve ever had a dog who seems wide awake and restless at night, you know how exhausting it can be. My dog used to zoom around the house, bark at random noises, and refuse to settle when it was time for bed. I tried giving her longer evening walks, but it didn’t help much — until I discovered how effective brain workouts are for tiring out your dog before bedtime.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I used mental stimulation to calm my dog at night — and how you can too. If you want the full brain training program I followed, here’s my personal link:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Table of Contents
Why Physical Exercise Alone Doesn’t Always Work
I used to think that more physical exercise would fix the problem. But after an hour-long walk or a long game of fetch, my dog was still amped up at bedtime. That’s when I learned that physical exercise builds endurance — but mental fatigue is what truly helps a dog settle.
Brain workouts tire your dog in a healthy, calming way — helping them feel ready to rest when the day winds down. Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
The Best Brain Workouts I Use Before Bedtime
1. Scent Games
Scent work is naturally calming for dogs. Before bed, I’ll hide a few treats in a snuffle mat or around the house to let my dog use her nose. It tires her mind and helps her relax.
2. Puzzle Feeders
I give my dog dinner in a puzzle feeder instead of a regular bowl. This adds a layer of mental stimulation and slows down eating — making her feel more satisfied and relaxed.
3. Short Trick Training
Right before bedtime, I do a 5–10 minute trick training session. We practice easy tricks like “touch,” “spin,” or “down.” This works her mind and gives her positive focus — which helps her settle.
4. Engagement Games
Games like “watch me” or “follow the leader” help improve focus and calm energy — perfect for winding down at the end of the day.
If you want a step-by-step system of the best brain workouts, this is exactly what I used:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
The Results
Once I started adding these brain games in the evenings, my dog was:
- Calmer after dinner
- No more crazy zoomies at night
- Less barking at random sounds
- Ready to curl up and sleep peacefully
And the best part? It didn’t take a lot of time — just 10–20 minutes of brain work before bed made all the difference.
Final Thoughts
If your dog struggles to settle at night, try adding a few simple brain workouts to your evening routine. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they learn to wind down and sleep better.
For me, this was a total game-changer — and it gave me back peaceful evenings again.
If you want an easy plan to follow, I highly recommend this program:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to get started
Trust me — your dog (and you!) will love the difference it makes at bedtime.
Before I learned about brain workouts, evenings at my house were chaotic. My dog would pace, bark at every sound, or start wild zoomies just when I wanted to relax. It felt impossible to calm her down.
I kept thinking, “Maybe I didn’t walk her enough today.” But adding more physical exercise didn’t solve the problem — in fact, sometimes it made her even more hyper. That’s when I realized her brain needed stimulation, not just her body.
The beauty of mental fatigue is that it calms your dog in a lasting way. A tired mind leads to a calmer body — and that’s exactly what helps at bedtime.
Once I started adding brain games in the evening, my dog began winding down naturally. No more wild behavior, no more barking — just a peaceful, happy pup ready to sleep.
If you’re unsure where to start, this program is what worked for me:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
It gave me tons of simple, effective ways to work my dog’s mind in a positive way.
One thing I also loved — evening brain workouts improved her overall behavior during the day. A well-stimulated dog tends to be calmer, more focused, and less reactive.
Another bonus? These games strengthened our bond. My dog learned to look forward to her evening brain work — and it became a fun part of our daily routine.
If your dog tends to bark or get restless during the night, adding evening mental stimulation can really help. My dog used to wake up and bark at random sounds — but with consistent brain work, she started sleeping more soundly.
I also noticed that brain games helped improve my dog’s ability to settle on her own. She learned how to relax without needing constant attention from me.
Even if you only have 10–15 minutes in the evening, that’s enough to make a big difference. A little mental workout goes a long way!
And because the games are fun and positive, your dog will actually enjoy this time — instead of seeing it as “training.”
If you’ve been struggling with bedtime zoomies, barking, or restlessness, please give this approach a try. It was honestly a game-changer for me.
For an easy way to get started, this is the program I still use:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Now, evenings at my house are calm — and bedtime is peaceful again.
You and your dog can absolutely have the same results — just start adding some fun, focused brain workouts before bed and watch the change!