I am a mom of a baby and two German Shepherds. If you are in the same situation, you know how hard it can be to keep large active dogs properly exercised when you have a newborn demanding all your attention.
Júpiter and Plutón still need physical activity and mental stimulation every day — even when I am exhausted and the baby just fell asleep. Here is everything I do to keep them active, happy and out of trouble without spending hours outside.
Why exercise is so important for German Shepherds
German Shepherds are working dogs — they were bred to be active all day. Without enough exercise and mental stimulation they get bored, anxious and destructive. A tired German Shepherd is a good German Shepherd.
Signs your German Shepherd is not getting enough exercise:
- Excessive barking or whining
- Chewing things they shouldn't
- Restlessness and inability to settle
- Attention-seeking behavior
- Getting into trouble around the house
Our daily routine with a baby at home
Since having our baby, our routine has changed but we have not stopped taking care of Júpiter and Pluto's exercise needs. We have just gotten smarter about how we do it. Some days I go alone with the dogs while my husband stays with the baby. Other days we all go together as a family. We are a team and that teamwork is what makes it work.
The two parks we go to
Júpiter and Pluto have two favorite parks and we alternate between them. They know the routes and they start losing their minds the moment we get ready to leave — the leashes coming out, the shoes going on, any hint that we are going outside. Getting out of the house is just as important for their mental health as it is for their physical health.
When we go as a family the baby comes with us in the stroller. Júpiter and Pluto run ahead, explore, chase squirrels up trees and then trot back to check on us. They love having the whole family there. When I go alone with the dogs it is also good — they get my full attention and we move faster without the stroller.
One honest thing — when we leave the house with them they come out like rockets. They pull hard on the leash because they are so excited to get outside. It takes a few minutes for them to calm down and settle into a good walking pace. Anyone who tells you large German Shepherds walk politely on a leash from the start has a different kind of dog than mine. But once they settle they are wonderful walking companions.
Outdoor play sessions
When we can go outside, we let them explore freely in the yard. Júpiter and Pluto love running together, chasing each other and exploring every corner. Even 20-30 minutes of free outdoor play makes a huge difference in their energy levels for the rest of the day.
Ball games
Pluto is obsessed with his ball. A simple game of fetch in the yard tires him out faster than anything else. We throw the ball, he runs, brings it back and repeats until his tongue is dragging on the floor. Júpiter joins in sometimes but he prefers to watch from a dignified distance like the king he is.
If you only have 15 minutes, choose fetch. It is the most efficient way to physically tire a German Shepherd fast. A dog that runs 100 meters ten times is much more tired than a dog that walks slowly for an hour.
The towel trick — our favorite indoor game
This is my favorite tip and one I share with every dog owner who tells me they don't have time to exercise their dog. It works incredibly well and takes almost zero effort from you.
Here is how to do it:
- Take a large towel or blanket
- Hide treats inside it at different spots
- Tie a knot in the towel
- Give it to your dog and let them figure it out
Your dog has to use their nose to find the treats and their strength to untie the knot. It combines physical effort with mental stimulation — and it tires them out completely. Júpiter and Plutón go crazy for this game and it keeps them busy for a long time.
Mental stimulation tires dogs out just as much as physical exercise. Using their nose and problem-solving brain is exhausting for them in the best way. This is especially useful on rainy days or when you simply can not go outside.
Hide the treats game
Similar to the towel trick — we hide treats around the house or yard and let them search. This activates their natural hunting and sniffing instincts. You can make it easier or harder depending on how much time you want to keep them busy.
Let them explore together
One of the best things about having two dogs is that they exercise each other. Júpiter and Plutón run, wrestle and play together constantly. If you have two dogs, let them play freely — they will tire each other out better than you ever could.
Mental stimulation matters as much as physical exercise
German Shepherds are extremely intelligent dogs. They need their brain worked just as much as their body. Some easy ways to provide mental stimulation:
- Hide treats around the house for them to find
- The towel knot game
- Training sessions — even 5 minutes of practicing commands counts
- Let them sniff freely on walks instead of rushing
- Puzzle toys with treats inside
The frozen chicken paw trick
We give Júpiter and Plutón a frozen chicken paw almost every day. It keeps them busy, cleans their teeth and they absolutely love it. It is like a natural chew toy that also gives them nutrition. It takes them a while to finish so it is a great way to keep them occupied while you are busy with the baby.
✅ Free outdoor play 20-30 min · ✅ Fetch with the ball · ✅ Towel knot game with treats · ✅ Hide treats around the house · ✅ Let them play together · ✅ Frozen chicken paw daily
🐾 You might also like
Having a baby and two German Shepherds is chaotic — but absolutely worth it. With a little creativity you can keep your dogs happy, tired and out of trouble even on the most exhausting days.
🐾 Written by Júpiter & Plutón's mom — real experience raising two German Shepherds with a baby at home.