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In the previous article, we considered why many retrievers struggle to settle, and how this is often connected not to excess energy, but to instinct without direction.

The natural next step is to begin introducing a small amount of structure into the dog’s activity.

This does not require complex training, nor does it require long sessions. A few minutes of calm, purposeful work can often be more effective than a long period of unstructured exercise.

What follows is a simple starting point.

The Purpose of the Exercise

This exercise is not about teaching the dog to retrieve in a formal sense.

Its purpose is to begin establishing a pattern:

• The dog learns to wait
• The dog learns to watch
• The dog learns to respond to guidance

In doing so, the dog begins to understand that activity is something that happens with direction, not simply through impulse.

Setting Up

Choose a quiet environment where the dog is not overly distracted.

Have a single retrieving item — something simple and familiar.

Stand with the dog close to you. There is no need for commands at this stage beyond what the dog already understands.

Step One: The Pause

Before anything is thrown, pause.

This is the most important part of the exercise.

Hold the dog gently if necessary, or simply stand quietly and wait for a moment of stillness. It may only be a second or two at first.

This pause begins to introduce the idea that action does not happen immediately.

Step Two: The Throw

Make a short, simple throw.

There is no need for distance or excitement. In fact, the quieter and more controlled the throw, the better.

Avoid repeated or rapid throwing. This is not a game of constant activity.

Step Three: The Release

Allow the dog to go for the retrieve in a calm manner.

If the dog rushes or becomes over-excited, do not be concerned. At this stage, we are simply beginning the process.

Step Four: The Return

Encourage the dog to return to you.

When the dog comes back, take the item calmly and without excitement. Avoid turning this into a tug game or a moment of heightened energy.

Step Five: The Reset

Once the retrieve is complete, pause again.

Stand quietly. Allow the dog to settle, even briefly, before repeating the exercise.

Keeping It Short

Two or three retrieves are sufficient.

It is far better to stop while the dog remains attentive than to continue until the dog becomes over-stimulated.

This is not about quantity. It is about quality and clarity.

What You May Notice

At first, the exercise may appear very simple.

However, over a number of short sessions, many owners begin to notice small but important changes:

• The dog begins to wait more readily
• The dog becomes more attentive
• The dog recovers more quickly after activity

These are early signs that the dog is beginning to understand the pattern.

A Different Way of Working

This approach may feel slower than more familiar forms of play or exercise.

But it introduces something that is often missing:

A sense of structure and purpose

When this is present, calmness often begins to develop naturally.

Moving Forward

This is only a starting point.

The aim is not to perfect the exercise, but to begin establishing a way of working that makes sense to the dog.

Over time, these small moments of waiting, watching, and responding begin to influence behaviour more generally.

A Next Step

If you would like to explore this approach further, including a number of simple variations on this exercise, you may find the following guide helpful:

7 Retrieving Games That Calm Excitable Retrievers

It is a common concern among owners of retriever breeds that their dog simply does not seem able to settle.

At home, the dog may pace, follow constantly, or remain alert to every small movement. Outdoors, the same dog may appear endlessly active, easily distracted, and reluctant to come back when called. Owners often describe this as over-excitement, high energy, or even stubbornness.

But in many cases, this behaviour is not a sign of disobedience at all.

It is a reflection of instinct.

Understanding the Nature of the Retriever

Retrievers were developed to work closely with people in a structured and purposeful way. Their role was not simply to run and retrieve, but to do so with patience, control, and cooperation.

A well-trained retriever in the field is not constantly active. Quite the opposite. It spends long periods watching, waiting, and remaining steady, before being asked to act with precision and purpose.

This balance between activity and calmness is not accidental. It is part of the dog’s inherited design.

When Instinct Has No Direction

In the modern home, many retrievers live full and active lives, but without opportunities to use their natural abilities in a structured way.

Exercise is often provided in the form of walks, free running, or repeated ball throwing. While this may appear to meet the dog’s needs, it often stimulates the very instincts that are already active, without giving them any clear direction.

The result can be a dog that becomes more excitable over time, not less.

This is not because the dog has too much energy, but because its instincts have not yet been organised into purposeful activity.

The Misunderstanding of “Calmness”

Calmness is often thought of as something that can be taught directly — by asking the dog to lie down, remain still, or be quiet.

But for many retrievers, calmness is not something that can be imposed. It is something that develops when the dog begins to understand how to use its abilities.

A dog that has been given meaningful, structured tasks — even simple ones — often begins to settle more readily, both physically and mentally.

A Different Way of Looking at the Problem

Rather than asking:

“How do I stop my dog being so excitable?”

It can be more helpful to ask:

“How can I begin to give these instincts some direction?”

This shift in perspective changes the nature of training.

Instead of trying to reduce behaviour, we begin to guide it.

A Simple Starting Point

Even a small change can begin to make a difference.

Short, controlled retrieving exercises — where the dog is asked to wait, watch, and respond — can introduce the idea that activity is something that happens with guidance, not simply on impulse.

These early exercises are not about perfection. They are about beginning to create a pattern:

• Wait
• Watch
• Act
• Return
• Settle

Over time, this pattern becomes familiar, and with familiarity comes calmness.

Moving Forward

If your retriever struggles to settle, it is worth considering that this may not be a problem to suppress, but an instinct to understand.

When instinct is given structure, behaviour often changes in ways that feel natural, rather than forced.

This approach does not require specialist equipment or advanced techniques. It begins with a simple idea:

Work with the dog you have, not against it.

A Next Step

If you would like a simple and practical way to begin, you may find it helpful to start with a few structured retrieving exercises.

You can download a short guide here:

7 Retrieving Games That Calm Excitable Retrievers