Most dogs have a zest for life that puts even the most active human in the shade. However, if your dog is an uncontrollable ball of energy, there are three probable reasons - lack of exercise, anxiety and lack of leadership.
I hope you’ve noticed the common thread here. All of these are things you control.
Helping A Bored Dog
A common thread with over-excitable dogs is that they are bored. These dogs often get little or no physical or mental activity. They become lethargic and frustrated so that any break in their boring routine is greeted with over-the-top excitement.
This is pretty easy to resolve - give your dog some exercise! All dogs need exercise and this is an area where many dog owners, unfortunately, shirk their responsibility.
How much exercise does a dog need? Well that depends on the dog. Age, breed and health are all factors. Your little Peke will be quite happy with a stroll around the garden, but that’s just not going to cut it with a Lab, let alone a Border Collie.
Another Common Problem: Separation Anxiety
Anxiety and over excited behavior go hand in hand, and this is particularly true of dogs that are left on their own during the day. Separation anxiety can be a difficult problem to solve, but there are some steps that may lessen the dog’s distress.
*Don’t Reward Bad Behavior - While your dog is in a hyped-up state - running, jumping and barking, you should withhold all attention. Wait for the dog to settle down, and then re-enforce the calm behavior by giving her the attention she craves.
*Mix-up Your Routine - Dogs pay a lot of attention to your habits. Your dog will know in great detail, the drill you go through each time you leave the house. You may not even be aware of it, but your dog is, and every time he notices it, his separation anxiety is triggered.
*Restrict him to a small area - A dog that is left alone in a large empty house will always become anxious. Restricting him to a smaller area and providing a secure “den”, like a dog crate, will calm him down.*Keep him Occupied - Last but not least, give him something to do while you’re away. A chew toy, or a couple of treats hidden around the room should do the trick.
Provide Pack Leadership
A dog needs to know his place in the pack, and without this he is anxious and uncertain about how to behave. One of the best ways to help your dog understand his place in the “pecking order” is through obedience training.
Training provides discipline and mental stimulation. It also establishes your leadership. Once your dog accepts this, he’ll naturally calm down.
Applying these 3 principles will have a noticeable effect on your dog’s hyper-active behavior. Keep in mind that not all dogs were created equal. Some dogs (and some breeds) are just by nature more boisterous than others.
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