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Breed Specific Outlets - Why Your Dog Needs More Than Just Walks

You walk your dog every day. You’re doing everything right — so why do they still act like a live wire? The answer might lie in something most owners never hear about: breed specific outlets.

If you’ve ever felt like walks just aren’t enough — like no matter how far you go, your dog still comes home restless, wound-up, or looking for trouble, then this is for you.

Understanding these outlets and which one is right for your dog is one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress, improve behaviour, and give your dog the kind of fulfilment they’re wired to crave.

In this post, we’ll explore how different breeds have different natural drives, how you can choose the right one for your dog — and how you can meet them in safe, practical ways, even if your dog can’t always be off-lead or social.

These natural outlets aren’t just nice extras — they’re the missing piece for many reactive, anxious, or constantly “on edge” dogs.

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Grab your free copy of my breed specific outlets guide and get a deeper dive on outlets and a copy of a handout off different outlets for different breeds.

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Content

Why Walks Aren’t Essential for a Happy Dog

Daily walks have become the default exercise for dogs, but the truth is, they aren’t a necessary component for a happy and fulfilled dog. While going outdoors is still important, walking just to walk—especially as a way to burn energy—often isn't adequate. Many owners unknowingly get trapped in the cycle of longer and longer walks, hoping it will fix their dog’s behaviour, only to find that their dog remains frustrated, reactive, or overly aroused.

For many dogs, walks are actually a source of stress, not relaxation. The outside world is filled with triggers (like dogs and people if you have a reactive dog), overwhelming scents, and stimulation that many dogs struggle to regulate.

👉🏾 [You can read more about taking breaks from walks in my blog post here]

If a dog is already overstimulated, anxious, or reactive, daily walks without a clear “purpose” can make them worse, not better. Instead of helping a dog reset, these walks often build more frustration, reinforce bad habits, and leave the dog in a constant state of arousal.

This is why I recommend prioritising a breed specific outlet daily, over going on walks. Dogs don’t need to walk every day for the sake of it—they need purposeful activities that help them feel fulfilled and mentally satisfied.

Instead of focusing on getting a certain number of steps in, we should be asking: "How can I meet my dog’s needs today?"

The Power of Breed Specific Outlets: Why They’re More Than Just Exercise

You’ve probably heard the phrase “give a dog a job”—and that’s exactly what an outlet is. Without a structured outlet, dogs will find their own way to satisfy their instincts, often in ways we don’t like and at times we don't want.

A dog that wasn’t given a proper outlet for their chase drive may fixate on joggers and cyclists. A scent-driven dog with no structured outlet for sniffing might pull obsessively on walks, nose glued to the ground dragging you along with them. The more frustrated they become, the harder it is to manage them in your everyday life.

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information

How Outlets Reduce Obsession and Frustration

Many dogs become obsessed with certain behaviours out in public because they don’t have a structured release for them elsewhere. This is why so many dogs fixate on chasing, sniffing, or even herding children and other dogs—because they’re desperate to engage in their natural instincts.

✔ ️ Example: A scent hound that pulls like crazy on walks to sniff every patch of grass may be far more manageable if they get structured scent as an outlet. Instead of feeling the need to sniff everything, everywhere, they learn when and where to engage with that need.

Your dog will still want to do these things, but the constant obsession and frustration will decrease, making them more engaged and easier to redirect in everyday situations.

How Breed Specific Outlets Can Transform Behaviour

A dog that only gets physical exercise without a mental or instinctual outlet is more likely to become:

Overstimulated/Understimulated—constantly seeking more activity, unable to switch off.

Frustrated—because their needs still aren’t being met.

Restless—struggling to settle even after a long walk or play session.

Sleep Deprived—because their needs aren't being met getting quality sleep is a struggle.

Many owners unknowingly increase their dog’s frustration by over-relying on exercise that actually feeds arousal rather than relieves it. Endless games of fetch, for example, can teach a dog to need constant stimulation.

This cycle of overstimulation → poor sleep → constant frustration is what keeps many dogs stuck in behaviour struggles.

Unwanted Problems and Lack Of Outlets

A dog with strong chase instincts but no structured outlet may:

Obsess over moving objects (joggers, bikes, squirrels).

Lunge at everything that moves on walks.

Struggle with impulse control around fast-paced movement.

A dog with strong grab-bite and kill-bite instincts but no outlet may:

Destroy furniture, chew excessively, or fixate on shaking toys.

Mouth and nip at people when excited.

Struggle to regulate their arousal during play.

A dog with strong scent work instincts but no structured sniffing outlet may:

Pull constantly on walks, nose glued to the ground.

Struggle to focus because their brain is in “tracking mode.”

Seem restless even after long walks.

This is why outlets tailored to a dog’s specific instincts are so important. When dogs have a way to express their natural drives in a controlled way, they become less obsessive and less frustrated.

Living with a Reactive Dog? Why Outlets Matter More Than You Think

A lot of reactive dogs go through life stuck in a cycle of daily walks that are meant to “help” but are only throwing gas on a fire and making things worse. Even though these walks are filled with chaos, owners don't realise that their dog's needs are not being met on these walks OR that there are [even more fun] alternatives!

If a dog doesn’t have proper outlets to burn off energy or regulate their nervous system, that stress starts to build — walk after walk, trigger after trigger. Over time, it boils over. That’s when reactivity shows up.

Outlets provide a crucial alternative to walking. Whether it’s scent work, shredding, chasing, digging etc, outlets are especially important if you’re living with a reactive dog — because the calmer and more fulfilled they are at home, the better they’ll cope outside.

This all ties into something I call the Holy Trinity:

Rest, outlets, and enrichment.

When these needs are met, reactivity becomes easier to manage, and so does your dog — because they are now better equipped to handle the world.

Want to learn more about how the holy and unholy trinity, and the dangers of stress builds up and what to do about it?

👉🏾 [Download my FREE Reactivity Starter Guide] — it breaks down trigger stacking, the Holy Trinity, and real-world ways to support your reactive dog.

living with a reactive dog starter budle freebie pin

The Predatory Motor Pattern: Understanding A Dog's Natural Drive

The predatory motor pattern, also known as prey drive, is a hardwired sequence of instinctual behaviours that dogs use to hunt, capture, and sometimes even kill prey.

While our dogs are domesticated, this instinct is still very much alive and even though dogs no longer need to hunt for survival, their drives to track, chase, and grab are deeply ingrained in their DNA.

The predatory motor pattern is made up of several key stages, with different breeds thriving in different areas:

1️⃣ Finding (Orient) – Scanning the environment, locking onto movement.

2️⃣ Eye – Fixating on a target.

3️⃣ Stalk – Slow, controlled movement toward the target.

4️⃣ Chase – Rapid pursuit of the target.

5️⃣ Grab-bite – Using the mouth to capture or control.

6️⃣ Kill-bite – Delivering a stronger, controlled bite.

7️⃣ Dissect – Ripping and tearing prey.

Each stage in this sequence is inherently rewarding. Dogs don’t chase just for the sake of running—they chase because it satisfies a deep instinctual need. This is why you might find it hard to recall your dog off a chase—they are fulfilling a drive that brings them mental satisfaction and relief.

Without an appropriate outlet for these instincts, dogs always find their own ways to satisfy them—often in ways we see as unwanted behaviours. This is why we see dogs fixating on movement, lunging at triggers, chewing destructively, digging constantly or struggling to settle down.

By understanding where your dog falls within the predatory motor pattern, you can create a structured, fulfilling outlet that matches their natural drives.

Choosing the Right Outlet for Your Dog

Every dog has natural instincts, and certain breeds excel at specific parts of the predatory motor pattern sequence because they were originally bred to use those skills.

By selecting outlets that align with your dog’s breed-specific instincts, you’re more likely to meet their needs fully. However, it’s important to remember that not every dog fits neatly into its breed’s typical preferences. Some may enjoy outlets outside their breed’s norm, and that’s perfectly okay.

My dog Jasper has an obsession with anything scent related so I make sure we add plenty of scent based outlets into his routine like searching for his Kong outside.

The key is to experiment and observe what excites your dog the most while ensuring that their outlets provide a structured way to express their instincts rather than reinforcing chaos or overstimulation. For example, terriers, like Jasper, bred for hunting and pest control, often thrive on outlets like flirt poles or destructive enrichment. These activities allow them to chase, grab, “kill,” and dissect, tapping into the parts of the predatory motor pattern they love most!

It’s essential to provide opportunities for your dog to engage in these instinctive behaviours within a controlled environment. When dogs aren’t given a structured way to express themselves, they’ll find their own outlets.

Finding the Right Outlet for Your Dog’s Breed

Below I've listen some breeds and their outlets outlets based on their natural instincts and predatory motor pattern:

Terrier Breeds (Jack Russell, Westie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)

Strengths: Chase, Grab-Bite, Kill-Bite, Dissect

Outlets to Try: Flirt pole (mimics chase and grab), digging box, bitework, and destructible enrichment (shreddable boxes).

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information terriers

Sighthounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Saluki)

Strengths: Orient, Eye, Chase

Outlets to Try: Scent trails and tracking games, fetch or chase games in an enclosed area, and agility courses.

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information sighthounds

Scenthounds (Beagle, Bloodhound, Basset Hound)

Strengths: Orient, Track

Outlets to Try: Nose work games, scatter feeding, tracking, scent trails, and puzzle toys with hidden treats.

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information scenthounds

Retriever Breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever)

Strengths: Orient, Grab-Bite, Chase

Outlets to Try: Search & retrieval, structured fetch, dock diving or swimming, and carrying/retrieving toys.

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information retriever

Herding Breeds (Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd)

Strengths: Orient, Eye, Stalk, Chase

Outlets to Try: Agility, obedience training, flirt pole, and herding ball games.

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information herders

Guardian Breeds (Rottweiler, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd)

Strengths: Chase, Grab-Bite

Outlets to Try: Obedience and protection training, destructive enrichment, bitework, tug of war, flirt pole.

breed specific outlets pin image carousel information guardians

How to Build the Perfect Outlet Routine

Experiment with multiple outlets to see what excites your dog the most.

Rotate at least three activities so they don’t become fixated on just one

Adapt based on your location, the environment, and time of day.

Use structured play rather than free-for-all excitement to prevent overstimulation.
Add in low effort boredom busters to the routine to prevent boredom and frustration throughout the day.

Whether it’s scent work, flirt pole, swimming, weight pull, or structured fetch, having a selection of activities ensures that your dog stays engaged, fulfilled, and happy.

Discover more on utilising both mental stimulation and exercise in my blog post mental stimulastion vs physical.

How a Detox Can Help Reset Your Dog

If your dog struggles with frustration, obsession, or constant overstimulation, finding the right outlet is just one part of the solution. Many dogs are stuck in a cycle of overarousal, where their nervous system is always on high alert—making it difficult for them to switch off, settle, or handle frustration.

This is where my detox program comes in. It helps:

Lower arousal levels, allowing your dog to actually relax.

Introduce healthy outlets in a structured way, rather than feeding excitement and stress.

Reduce stress-driven behaviours by focusing on fulfillment over exhaustion.

Improve sleep and emotional regulation, leading to a calmer, more balanced dog.

Instead of relying on more walks, more exercise, or random stimulation, the detox helps reset your dog’s system, giving them the clarity and structure they need to fully benefit from proper outlets.

Click to claim your FREE detox today!

Final Thoughts

Every dog has natural instincts, and if we don’t provide an appropriate outlet, they’ll find one on their own—often in ways we don’t like. The key to a calmer, and more balanced dog isn’t just more physical exercise; it’s about giving them a purpose, meeting their instinctual needs, and providing structure.

By understanding your dog’s predatory motor pattern, choosing the right outlets, and resetting their nervous system through the detox, you’re giving them the tools to be more balanced, less frustrated, and easier to live with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) : Breed Specific Outlets

What are outlets for dogs?

Outlets are activities that let your dog release energy and frustration in ways that feel natural and also satisfying to them. It's not just about burning energy — it's about how they burn it. Think sniffing, chewing, digging etc. When you give your dog the right outlet, you can transform them.

What are good outlets for dogs?

That depends on the dog to be honest! Every dog is different but some great options include:

Chewing (bones, natural chews, antlers)
Sniffing (snuffle mats, scatter feeding, scent games, tracking)
Digging (dig pits, sandboxes)
Shredding (cardboard boxes!!)
Chasing or tug (flirt poles, tug and bite sleeves)

What are the outlets for Labradors?

Labradors are retrievers — they were bred to carry, swim and well...retrieve. Great outlets for Labs include:

Fetch or carrying toys
Long sniffari walks or scent games
Swimming
Tug or Retrieve training

What is my dog’s outlet?

Think about what your dog naturally wants to do...chances are some of their unwanted behaviours are just outlets.

Do they love to sniff every blade of grass? Are they obsessed with tug? Do they destroy cardboard or your shoes like a pro? Nipping at heels. Those are clues to their ideal outlets!