They come in big packages and small, pure breeds and mutts. Everyone knows a dog with seemingly endless energy. They may make great running partners and playmates for kids, but at some point, most pet parents of high energy breeds will struggle to fully meet the physical and mental stimulation that these wild pups desire!
Why is My Dog Crazy?
First, it’s important to appreciate why your dog is so active. Age matters. Just like humans, puppies and young adult dogs will naturally have more energy to burn off through the day. They may be early risers and ready to bounce off the walls the moment the sun rises. Breed matters. Long ago, certain dogs were bred to perform jobs like hunting, fetching, traveling a long distance, or chasing varmints from properties. All of these skills required high energy that continue to be ingrained in these active breeds. Just because your dog now lives in a modern day home environment doesn’t mean that he will suddenly adjust to a less active lifestyle. Your dog’s wild energy is the way he was meant to be.
Embrace it and learn to manage it with these 3 tips!
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Learn to Love Exercise
Yes, this may seem obvious, but if you don’t already lead a very active lifestyle, adopting a high energy dog is the perfect time to start! In addition to regular walks, your dog will benefit from occasional higher intensity play. Depending on your dog’s breed, he may enjoy fetching a ball, swimming, or long-distance hiking on the weekends. If regular exercise does not fit your schedule or physical capabilities, consider finding a dog walker, whether a neighbor, or a professional dog walker in your area. Some outdoor toys like this tug of war toy are designed to physically exhaust your active dog without exhausting you!
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Invest in Games
Even if you’re able to be at home with your dog all day, there will be times when your dog needs to find entertainment for himself, or you will both be stuck inside due to inclement weather. It’s important to have healthy activities for your active dog before he finds activities for himself (ie. chewing up the couch!) The very basics can include chew toys. Puzzle toys add an extra layer of mental stimulation for your dog. Fill a hollow toy with peanut butter or kibble treats that takes time and creativity to reach. Some puzzle toys engage dogs physically to move pieces with their snout and paw. If your dog is small, an indoor tug of war toy can also provide hours of safe and stimulating entertainment without any work on your part.
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Train their Brain
At any level of energy, training is a vital part of your relationship with your dog. Training strengthens communication between you and your dog, it provides safety for you, your dog, and others (both human and four-legged), and is another great way to provide mental and physical stimulation for your very active pet. Online resources are a great place to start, but there are also books on the topic, especially useful when you get to more advanced levels of “trick training”. Focus first on mastering commands like “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Place” in addition to work on calm, loose leash walking. This training may take extra time with your hyperactive dog, but it is an important part of managing your dog’s energy. If your dog is excelling in training and enjoys the work, consider moving to “trick training”, which will continue to challenge your active dog both mentally and physically in new exciting ways.
If you’ve been lucky enough to invite a highly active dog into your life, you may feel overwhelmed by the energy at times. But with a little planning and the right tools, you and your ball of energy can live a healthy, active life with the kind of bond every dog parent hopes to have with their furry family members.