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Living With An Energetic Dog
from: Kyle BesserThe expected energy level of a dog breed is a very important factor to consider when choosing a dog. Unfortunately, the expected energy level of a dog may not always be what you get. There are always exceptions. The dog that you expect to spend most of his life on the couch may turn out to be much more active than your expect. The exuberant Springer Spaniel that should be an active dog may end up spending most of his time on the couch.
Most of the time dogs bred for activity, such as the Irish Setter or Boxer, will fulfill the energy expectation. Although high activity or even reactivity may be a desired trait in some breeds, that high activity level must be manageable for the family living with the energetic dog behavior. Activity outside may be very appropriate, whereas pacing or charging through the house at all hours of the day and night is very annoying to most owners.
Your emotional state easily transfers to the dog. The excitable dog will become more reactive if you use a high pitched, fast, excited voice and are yourself reactive, nervous, and excitable. You must handle the energetic or reactive dog with calm, firm, purposeful movements and speak to him in a normal, firm toned voice.
Deliberate, calm handling will help the dog stay calm. If you fight with your dog to attach a leash to the collar, he will fidget and jump around even more. If the dog is hyperactive, take a firm grip on his handle and command him to sit in a slow, firm voice. If he doesn't sit, firmly and slowly grip the handle and place him into a sit. Hold him in place quietly, without anger or any unnecessary hand movements, until he ceases the battle and remains in position. When he settles down, quietly and calmly verbally praise him.
Praise an excited dog only verbally because physical contact with an excitable dog will tend to excite him even more. Try again to attach the leash. If he goes out of control again, repeat the forced sit, and praise him again when he relaxes. Repeat the process until the dog sits quietly. Do not attempt to put a leash on an excited dog.
Obedience training, with its one-on-one interaction between you and your dog, is an effective outlet for the energetic dog. Obedience training teaches the dog to sit quietly and also requires him to concentrate, thus using brain power and energy. Obedience training the energetic dog will also help you to control his activity in the house.
The "settle" command is very effective and important for controlling excitement in the house. When the dog becomes overly excited or active in the house, have him "settle." The settle should be at least 10 minutes long. Even an energetic dog will usually fall asleep or at least relax by the end of 10 minutes. When he gets up, he is usually calmer.
If every time the dog gets overly excited you demand a settle of him, he will soon learn that inside the house is not the play yard. Since you can't place the energetic or nervous dog in a settle for the rest of his life, the dog should have appropriate outlets to release energy. Be conscientious in evaluating your dog's energy level and adjust his lifestyle and provide routine exercise accordingly.
If your dog is overly energetic, the first recommendation a pet owner receives is to fence in a large backyard for the dog to have a place to run off that energy. A large yard is useless if the dog does not use the area to run around, so the dog owner will have to find ways to encourage the dog to use up some of that energy and thus avoid problem energetic dog behavior.
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