Have you come home from an exhausting day at work, to be greeted by your enthusiastic puppy zooming around the house, play-biting for attention, and dragging your shoes and clothes across the floor? Puppies are full of energy, and it’s important to give them proper exercise and mental enrichment to relieve boredom. In this guide, we’ll share simple, effective ways to help in calming a high-energy puppy.
Choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle
When deciding which dog breed is best for you, consider your lifestyle and how much exercise you can give your puppy. Puppies have varying energy levels, which are influenced by their breed and individual personality.
Breeds in the Working and Herding groups, such as Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Collies, and Boxers, are typically high-energy. These dogs are best suited for active owners who can provide regular physical exercise and mental stimulation. On the other hand, families living in apartments with limited outdoor space or those who lead a less active lifestyle may want to choose a less energetic dog breed. Low-energy breeds include Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, English Bulldogs, and Basset Hounds.
But no matter the breed, every puppy needs an outlet for their energy. The key is finding the right balance of physical and mental activities based on your dog’s needs. You can help achieve this through the following steps.
Prioritize daily exercise and training
Regular physical activity not only helps burn off excess energy but also supports your pup’s overall well-being, both mentally and physically. Even 30 minutes of active play or walking can lead to noticeable improvements in behavior. A well-exercised puppy is more likely to listen and settle down at home, making life easier for both of you. If you’re unable to take your dog for walks, you can still stay active by:
- Playing fetch, hide and seek, or other interactive games
- Rotating 8-12 chew toys to help keep them mentally stimulated
- Engaging in short training exercises throughout the day, such as the following exercises
If your dog is reactive during walks and you’re unsure how to manage their behavior, we offer a free consultation to discuss training options and provide advice. Beyond the Dog Dallas has reactivity training programs for both puppies and adult dogs.
Explore Dallas together
Dallas is full of dog-friendly places that are great for helping your puppy burn off energy. We have many recommendations of the best places to explore in our Dallas Dog-Friendly Guide which includes:
- A list of dog-friendly stores
- Scenic trails for walking and hiking
- Our favorite Dallas dog parks.
With Dallas offering so many dog-friendly activities, you’ll never run out of ways to keep your high-energy puppy active, social, and content.
Maintain a consistent routine:
Dogs thrive on having a consistent routine because it helps them anticipate when they will be fed, exercised, trained, and engaged in enrichment activities. You can see how well they understand their schedule when they start sitting near the food pantry, barking at you, or pawing at their food bowl when they know it’s almost mealtime. It’s important to include exercise, training sessions, and enrichment activities in their daily routine. Doing so will help you manage their energy levels effectively and assist in calming a high-energy puppy.
Keep their mind busy.
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. A bored puppy is likely to get into trouble. You can make mealtimes more enriching by turning them into fun activities. Instead of feeding them from a bowl, consider trying the following:
- Stuffing kibble or treats into a Kong and freezing it.
- Using puzzle games to encourage problem-solving and help slow down their eating.
If you need help getting started, follow our steps to prepare a Kong like a dog trainer.
We’re here to help.
If you would like help in calming a high-energy puppy through addressing dog’s obedience, manners, or behavioral issues, including reactivity, fearfulness, and touch sensitivity. You can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team, who can provide professional advice and detailed information on our training programs and science-based training methods. All of our training programs are personalized to your needs and are conducted in one-on-one sessions at your home and neighborhood.
Would you prefer to meet remotely or live outside our service area? Our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling Savage, provides Virtual Consultation training programs. During these sessions, she will create a personalized training plan that meets your dog’s individual needs and training goals.
