Most owners of high energy dogs understand that their dog needs a lot of exercise, but many aren’t sure how to meet that need. Owners often tell me that no matter how much exercise they give their dog, the dog still seems wound up. If that’s something you’ve said, then this blog post is for you! Let’s talk about three crucial lifestyle factors for high energy dogs.
1)Let’s start with the obvious: EXERCISE! If you have a high energy dog, you’ve got to give him a physical outlet for all that energy. This will likely require some lifestyle adjustments for you as you’ll have to set aside time for walking and play.
2)MENTAL STIMULATION - If you have a high energy dog, you will likely NEVER be able to give him enough physical exercise to tire him out. (In fact, you’ll just create a more athletic high energy dog with a higher tolerance for exercise—oops!) Luckily, physical exercise isn’t the only way to burn energy. Mental stimulation burns a ton of energy as well and is the key to tiring out a high energy dog. Practice sessions that involve impulse control, duration, distance and/or distractions are especially valuable.
3)Teach your dog how to do nothing—and practice that daily! Most high energy dogs have to be taught how to be calm and still. This is different from passing out after a play session; I’m talking about relaxing on command. The place command is good for this, and calm down time in the crate is good for this as well. Teach your dog the art of doing nothing and be sure to work that into your daily routine! The more your dog practices being calm and still, the better he gets at it.
High energy dogs can be challenging. The key to successfully caring for a high energy dog is to meet all of their needs, not just their exercise needs. Meet their needs for physical exercise, mental stimulation, and down time and they’ll be a lot happier—and more enjoyable to live with!
