hyperactivedogs

I wish I had a dime for every time a dog owner complained to me in training class about the hyperactivity of their dog or puppy. Its so simple for people to label their dogs as they label the over active child. This is a very common mistake made by dog owners. Dogs are not "hyper". Puppies are not "hyper". Dogs have a wide variety of energy levels. You may have an active puppy or dog but not a "hyper" puppy or dog. Your dog's activity level is not a fault, its a fact

Your dog's breed or breeds he is mixed from can have much to do with your dogs energy level.

Many things can affect the activity level of your dog. Take a look at the dog breed the owner has chosen. When someone comes to my class with a Labrador Retriever or a Labrador puppy they usually complain about that dog's "hyper behavior" or never ending supply of energy. The fact is they purchased a dog bred to have enough energy to run in the field all day long retrieving game shot down by hunters. These dogs must not only have enough energy and power to retrieve game but many times to retrieve that game from water. One would think that an animal swimming in deep water countless times to retrieve game and be able to do that as long as the hunters need must have a huge supply of energy. They must be powerful animals. So why then do people purchase these dogs as pets and seem surprised of the energy that dog displays? Again, it is a case of dog owners not thinking before they purchase a new puppy for the family.

I am happy to say that although most Labradors have a good amount of energy they are also very bright and trainable. If the owner takes the time to train their dog, be it Labrador or Beagle or Chihuahua, they can turn that bundle of seemingly endless energy into a good family dog and companion. The dog breed you choose can have a direct bearing on many characteristics that dog shows as well as the energy lack of it or good dose of it!

Its in the Genes, well much of it is!

Now although the breed of dog has a good deal to do with energy level, it is not the only factor involved. It stands to reason that if your puppy had very active parents with high energy levels and grandparents with very high energy levels that your puppy may easy have inherited some of that energy. Take a look at your dogs parents and ask about your puppies grandparents and pedigree. If you know your pups pedigree it will help give you an idea of what you can expect from your puppy as a puppy and an adult. Many personality traits can be passed along to offspring. An example of this would be Beagles. Beagles bred and used for hunting that are bred from hunting lines can have more energy, higher energy levels than Beagles bred for conformation (shows). Labradors bred for field (hunting) can have higher energy levels than Labradors bred for the show ring. This is the same with most sporting and hunting breeds. Again its genetics, BUT it is not everything and I'm sure their are some Labradors and Beagles that hunt but do not show high levels of energy all the time. It is very important to get your puppy from a breeder that breeds for quality, health and sound dogs. Many dogs sold by poor or backyard breeders have activity and energy problems because of temperament issues from being poorly bred or sold too soon or just ignored by the breeder until it was time to be sold. Your breeder is everything when it comes to a emotionally stable and sound dog.

There are no bad dogs...just bad owners??

The most important point of this page is; Dogs have energy, Puppies tend to have even more energy. If your puppy tears up the tissues or paper towel, steals the pen and chews it up, chews on that leg of your chair, eats your dollar bill you dropped, chases the cat, plays in your best plant, poops on you best pair of shoes, eats the rug or even pulls up the linoleum. He is not a bad puppy or a hyper puppy. He is a healthy normal puppy with energy that you the owner need to use up by training and supervising him or her. He thinks the world is a wonderful huge play yard and you are the one to guide him in understanding his limits and the rules but in a kind, understanding knowledgeable way. Dogs do not chew things up to anger an owner. You may have purchased a wonderfully bred dog from a wonderful breeder, but if you do not nourish and train that puppy correctly, you may as well throw all that good breeding out the window! It is NATURE and NURTURE! Your the human, the dog is the DOG! There are no bad dogs, just misunderstood dogs and owners that need enlightened and straightened out!

Pick your dog carefully.

Pick the breed of dog you want by the lifestyle you lead. If you want to sit at home and watch tv with your dog you need a dog with a more relaxed attitude lower energy output. Look at what the breed was developed to do and see if that dogs job would fit your lifestyle. A Siberian Husky or Border Collie would not do well as a couch potato. If you want a dog with constant energy and a mind that needs to be kept busy, or you have a farm in need of a vermin expert, the Jack Russel may be the dog for you. If your always on the go outside and love to hike or run, that Husky may be the right breed for you! Regardless of the breed or type of dog you have, try to think of energy as just that ENERGY. Learn how to teach your dog to focus and direct that energy. Enroll your dog in a training class and learn how to turn that cute bundle of energy into a wonderful canine companion!

Tips to help!

To help harness that load of puppy or dog energy you can... Get your dogs attention and try to keep it! Usually food helps. Don't hand out treats to your dog but exchange a goodie for something you want from the puppy or dog. Make a noise and when your puppy looks at you tell him yes and feed him a reward. It is important you think of the treat as a reward not a treat! After you have convinced your dog that looking at you is a good thing throw the dogs name in their. Say his name and feed him if he looks at you. Do NOT repeat the name you will train your dog not to listen. If you see your dog sitting.. slide a treat to him. But don't say anything. Reward the behavior you see that you like and ignore the wrong behavior if you can. The more commands you give your dog the less he or she will listen. If you fed your dog every time you saw him sitting.. (without giving a sit command) your dog will start to sit when he sees you. Sitting is much better than being jumped on. This is just one quick lesson in controlling behavior and energy. For more information and help your welcome to go to our behavior modification form for more help. Good luck with your loving bundle of fur!