Calming a Hyperactive Dog
Whether you call your dog “high-energy” or hyperactive, a dog that has an excess of energy can become quite a challenge to a loving dog owner. There are many factors that may be driving their behavior. One of these may simply have to do with nothing more than a predisposition to have a lot of energy, due to their breed. Other dogs are bored and need more stimulation. If you approach the situation on different levels, you may have better luck in calming your hyperactive dog.
Get Your Dog Moving
Is your pup getting enough exercise? Do some research on how much physical activity your dog’s specific breed needs, and make sure that you are meeting these requirements. If you find that your dog is constantly moving, it is safe to say that he or she most likely needs more exercise in their daily routine.
Going on walks doesn’t have to be the only form of exercise. You can play fetch, frisbee, or even try running your dog through agility courses to keep them occupied. You could also try taking your dog to a dog park so that your canine can play with other dogs.
Stimulate Your Dog’s Mind
Your dog’s brain needs to be exercised, just like his body does. An easy way to stimulate his brain is with food puzzles. Having to figure out how to get to his food turns eating into work.
Another thing you can do is teach your dog a new trick. Training your dog will help to boost your dog’s confidence, while simultaneously strengthening the bond between you and your dog.
Another exciting activity you can do is create an obstacle course for your dog to run through. Don’t have money to buy an agility course? No worries, you can make your own! A lot can be created with a few orange cones, a blanket, and a few toys. For example, you can teach your dog to go around the cones or go lay on the blanket.
Reward the Calm
Help your dog understand that when he has calm behavior, he will be rewarded! Be sure to take the time to positively connect with him when he is acting in a quiet and relaxed manner. Keep in mind that when you reward positive behavior, your dog is likely to repeat it. Combining quiet praise with a gentle pat will help your dog understand that when he chooses to settle down, he is going to receive positive attention from you.
Feed Quality Food
When it comes to dog food, you get what you pay for. If you buy inexpensive dog foods that are full of byproducts, sugar and food coloring, you are feeding your dog ingredients that do not support good health. Experts agree that feeding your dog cheap dog food is much like feeding your kids junk food. A diet that is low in quality can seriously affect your dog’s behavior. Choose a dog food that has easily identifiable ingredients, as opposed to meat by-products and the like.
Get Professional Advice
As always, it is best to take your dog to your veterinarian to rule out any underlying issues that may be causing the anxiety. If your dog isn’t responding to any calming techniques, training, or changes in diet, your veterinarian may discuss with you the possibility of trying anti-anxiety drugs for your dog. Understandably, you may be reluctant to go this route, however many dog owners have had great success when trying the right prescription.