Have you ever looked at your dog tearing around the house, bouncing off the furniture, or racing off on a walk as though you don’t exist, and thought, “My dog is wild!”?
Many owners see this behaviour as simply part of their dog’s personality – “that’s just how he is.” But what if I told you that, without realising it, you might actually be creating that wildness?
How We Create a “Wild” Mindset
Dogs learn through experience. If, at home, your dog is given complete freedom to charge around with no structure, and on walks is allowed to roam with little input from you, they begin to believe that this is simply how life works.
In other words, we teach them that chaos and impulsiveness are the default way to live. If we don’t guide them, they guide themselves – and that often results in a dog who is constantly switched on, excitable, and unable to settle.
Why Boundaries Matter
Structure and boundaries aren’t about being strict for the sake of it – they’re about helping your dog feel safe and calm. Just like children thrive when they know what is expected of them, dogs do too.
Simple things such as waiting before going through a door, sitting calmly before meals, or practising short periods of relaxation at home all build impulse control. This teaches your dog that calm behaviour is rewarded, while rushing and pushing ahead is not.
Walks: More Than Just a Run Around
For many dogs, walks are seen as a time to “go wild.” They pull on the lead, dash from scent to scent, and ignore their owner completely. The problem? That reinforces the same frantic, impulsive mindset.
Instead, walks should be a chance to engage with your dog. Play, train, and interact with them so that you become more rewarding than the environment. Give them a reason to check in with you – whether it’s through games, recall practice, or simply praising calm walking by your side.
Control = Calm
A dog with no boundaries is like a child left to run riot in a sweet shop. It might look like fun, but it’s not healthy – and it’s certainly not sustainable.
By putting structure into your dog’s day, setting clear boundaries, and actively engaging with them, you’ll find their “wild” energy transforms into something far more balanced.
Control doesn’t mean taking away your dog’s joy – it means channelling it. And when control is in place, calm naturally follows.