Bringing a furry companion into your life is a huge responsibility so before making the final decision you need to consider multiple factors. These include the particular breed's temperament, size, whether you have the energy and time to invest on a puppy and whether or not will you be able to do justice to the dog's needs. But no matter how much you research, you can never be entirely sure of the dog you end up adopting.
Each breed has their own needs, but some dogs can be an altogether different game. You bring home a dog, only to experience that after an extensive walk around the block along with a round of Frisbee, your pup seems ready for more. You may get puzzled at this; at times people may get annoyed and snap out on their puppies. But it's not your furry companion's fault that you adopted a high-energy dog. To ensure your dog's mental and physical well-being, it is crucial that you select the right strategies to channel your dog's energy. Here are six tips for pet-parents that have a high-energy to take care of:
Set a Proper Exercise Routine
Hyperactive dogs need to expend their energy through physical and mental exercise to prevent undesirable behaviors. Apart from the regular LONG walks (yes a hyperactive dog will require about an hour of walking every day), you can also incorporate other activities such as playing fetch, hide and seek or other indoor games. You can also try running some days, it is the best exercise for high-energy dogs and also helps relieve stress, and when you can manage the time, hit the nearest dog-friendly trail for a hike. Since the summers are here, you can take your dog for a swim, there are quite a few options but make sure you set up a routine and prepare your dog accordingly. Also, do consult the veterinarian once you have the activities planned and only incorporate the exercises once the vet approves.
Teach Your Dog New Tricks
Once your pooch learns the essential commands and the regular games, it is time to take the training up a notch. Try teaching your dog other exciting tricks that can utilize his mental as well as physical energy. Make it enjoyable for your pup but at the same time be sure to make it challenging so you can tire your pooch out physically.
Mental Stimulation is Important
You may not know this, but mental stimulation can be as tiring as physical exercise, so for the times when you aren't as pumped up for training as your pooch or when the weather doesn't allow you to head out, you can try these activities to keep your dog busy. Before starting off with the games, it is crucial that you teach your dog commands such as “Sit” and “Stay.” Once your pup is ready, you can try out hide and seek, hide his favorite treats or toys all around the house and let your puppy find these out. You can also try nose games to stimulate your dog's mind and train him to be more obedient.
Turn Mealtime into Game Time
Treat dispensable toys are one of the most useful inventions for parents with high-energy dogs. Instead of using the regular bowls for feeding your hyperactive pooch, consider using these toys. Just fill the toy with kibbles and let your pup put his scavenging instincts to work.
Try Agility Training
This is the best sport for dogs that could use a combination of both physical and mental stimulation. You can either enroll your pooch in an agility training class or build a DIY course at your home using regular household items to create tunnels, see-saws, jumps, etc.
Keep Yourself Calm
And above all, make sure you don't get stressed or nervous when you have a hyperactive dog at your hands. Since our furry companions are empathetic, they will pick up on your mood and get stressed. Teach your dog to be calm and make sure you can channel your pup's energy in constructive ways. It will be a tough job, but the long-term results would be worth it.
AUTHOR BIO:
Jenny Perkins is an Animal Behavior Specialist and a passionate writer. She loves to write about the nutrition, health, and care of dogs. She aims at providing tips to dog owners that can help them become better pet parents. She writes for the blog Here Pup.
Here's a neat tip. You can improve your chances when searching for a pet friendly apartment by including a pet resume and pet references with your application.
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