Young dogs are naturally excitable – there’d be something wrong with them if they weren’t – but adult dogs who have so much energy that they cant sit still are considered hyperactive. If you think your dog is hyperactive, blame his ancestors. Years ago he was probably bred to run all day herding sheep or hunting game. If you take this same dog and leave him at home alone for eight hours in a small backyard with nothing to do, it’s not supervising that he will have oodles of energy to burn off when you get home. Running from room to room without being able to settle down is a sign that your dog needs a job to do.
Keep him Busy:
To deal with a hyperactive dog, you’ll need to channel his energies into behavior you can live with. Getting upset and yelling doesn’t help. Your dog will sense your mood right away, and this will agitate him even more. Instead, give him lots of physical exercise. Take him for long walks or go running or cycling with him. If you have to leave him alone while you work, hire someone to come during the day and take him out jogging or play a vigorous game of fetch with him for an hour or so. With some physical activity during the day, your dog won’t be all over you the moment you walk in the door. Try to get up an hour earlier in the morning to allow yourself more time with him, too.
Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise for a hyperactive dog. Giving him an activity to focus and concentrate on will slow him down, so take him to agility or obedience classes regularly. You can even make a small obstacle course in your backyard. Hyperactive dogs need constant work to keep their energy levels on an keel, so make these activities a permanent part of your dog’s life.
Dogs and Their Diet:
Some people believe that with so many dogs’ treats being high in calories and sugar diet might play a part in raising a dog’s energy levels. But there is no evidence to suggest that hyperactivity in dogs is related to diet, says Katherine Houpt, V.M.D., Ph .D., a professor of physiology and director of the behavior clinic at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, and author of Domestic Animal Behavior.
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