Sure, shepherds, collies and retrievers have shiny coats, winning personalities and the ability to make any heart melt.
But these types of dogs also share one more trait: incredibly high energy levels.
You may be wondering how to calm down an energetic dog. In this article, I’ll explain how to do that, no matter what the breed.
But first, let’s talk about why it’s not good for a dog to have pent-up energy.
Consequences When a Dog Has Too Much Energy
Bored dogs are mischievous dogs.
They will look for both mental and physical stimulation anywhere they can find it.
Dogs don’t maliciously cause destruction, so if you have a dog who routinely destroys pieces of your house, boredom might just be the cause.
Another way boredom manifests is through their behavior with you and other people.
“Energetic dogs who don’t get enough exercise are easy to spot,” say authors Gerilyn J. and Paul S. Bielakiewicz in The Only Dog Tricks Book You’ll Ever Need. “They demonstrate their excess energy through barking, jumping and other unwanted behavior.”
Every dog needs mental and physical stimulation.
How much? That depends on the dog’s personality and breed.
Before bringing home your adorable new pet, be sure you understand their energy needs and have a plan in place to meet them.
How to Calm Down an Energetic Dog or Puppy
Here are some things you can do together to calm down an energetic dog in safe ways:
- Go for longer walks, or amp up the fitness level and try for a jog.
- Spend time in the backyard letting them chase balls, sticks and toys that you toss.
- Take them to the dog park and let them socialize with other dogs.
- Head to an obedience class. Choose one that will help your dog expend energy as well as learn.
- Is your dog a swimmer or water lover? Find a place where they can swim safely.
Exercise is simultaneously the best answer and yet the most underused solution to problems with bored dogs.
Talk with your dog’s veterinarian and find out how to set a good exercise regime for your pet — and be prepared to adjust it through their life cycle as their needs change.
Dog Walkers
It may be difficult to find enough time to provide the right amount of stimulation for your dog.
This is where dog walkers come in — they come to your pet’s location and take them out for a walk, which provides both physical and mental stimulation.
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The walk can be tailored to your pet’s individual needs, and a good dog walker will be happy to do that tailoring. Take it from me, one of those very dog walkers!
Typical walks or visits last around 30 minutes. The time can be spent outside walking or in a combination of walk and then some play with a ball or toy.
If you have a high-energy dog, ask if you can book a double appointment to give your dog even more time working out that energy. Some dog walkers will even take your dog places like the beach or the local dog park.
These midday visits are crucial for your dog’s health and well-being:
- A great walk consists of plenty of movement and plenty of stop-and-sniff time. Remember, the dogs need to exercise their mental muscles, too.
- It also provides human interaction in the middle of the day and helps with socialization.
So scout around for a dog walker with experience in handling high-energy dogs. Have this person’s phone number handy so she can take your Doggy Dynamo out for a walk, run, swim or play date when you’re not able to do so.
Engage the Mind
For some dogs, long walks aren’t always the answer.
Some may be disabled, not leash trained or live in an area where long walks aren’t always feasible. There are some other solutions to the energy problem.
A dog’s sense of smell is the keenest of their senses, and they love to use it. One way to engage your dog’s interest and burn some energy is by teaching them nose work — an activity based on scenting.
In nose work, you’ll hide various items and teach your pet to find them based on a key word or phrase. You can check your area for nose work classes or purchase a kit to help teach your dog.
Clicker Training
Clicker training is simple and effective at helping train your dog for the behaviors you’d like them to exhibit.
Once you have determined that your dog is getting the exercise they need, clicker training can be a great next step.
Your first step is to get a clicker. Usually they are small, simple devices that can fit in the palm of your hand.
Then follow these 3 steps:
- Teach your dog that the sound of the click means “treat” by clicking it and then giving the dog a high-value treat. Soon they’ll connect the sound of the click with the reward you give them.
- This next part takes a little practice. Click exactly when your dog exhibits a behavior you would like them to learn. For example, if you want to teach the dog to lie down, when you see them lie down on their own, immediately click the clicker and give them a treat.
- Practice. Your dog will realize that the sound of the click means you want them to exhibit this behavior. They’ll start lying down when they hear the click. Just don’t forget to reward their excellent behavior.
The great thing about clicker training is it can work for many different behaviors. Give it a shot!
This video provides an example of how to start clicker training with your dog:
Doggy Daycare
Dogs who are reasonably well socialized have the option to attend a daycare. Many doggy daycares provide outdoor time, playtime and socialization for your dogs.
If you’re considering daycare, keep the following in mind before choosing a place:
- Cleanliness of the facility. Ask to tour the pet areas, and look around to make sure there is not an overabundance of feces, dirty play areas or broken equipment.
- Ask what the protocol is if a pet is injured. It happens, and a good daycare facility will have an immediate plan to get dogs any medical care they need. If their answer is along the lines of “Uh, we call you …” and that’s it, you might want to find somewhere else. They should indeed call you, but they should also have a plan that allows for pets to get care right away.
- Look at the animals currently attending the daycare. Are they being watched over and engaged with? Are there any animals in distress? Are there animals being intimidated by other dogs? Is the staff responsive to the animals?
- A great doggy daycare will also insist on an interview with you and your dog, and possibly an evaluation. They need to protect all their charges, so they should ensure that your dog will be a good fit for their daycare and not put other pets at risk. They should also insist on proof of vaccinations from all their clients.
This dog is not happy about leaving his beloved doggy daycare:
Final Thoughts on How to Calm Down an Energetic Dog
The real answer to an energetic dog is exercise, plain and simple.
Dogs need to:
- Be able to work out the energy they were bred to have
- Have companionship to be well socialized
- Have mental stimulation to engage their minds
Not providing for these needs will make for a difficult dog–human relationship.
The real tragedy is when an overwhelmed and unprepared person returns or leaves a dog at a shelter because the dog is “too energetic” or “too destructive.” In most cases, that issue is easily addressed with the proper research, care and attention.
If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, sit down and look up what kind of energy level your breed might have. It could save your sanity, your home and their life.
And if you already have an energetic dog, yes, they can certainly be a handful. But please remember that pets can be the most joyful experience ever. They will make you laugh often and remind you how great it is to have them in your life.
Just don’t forget to give your dog the exercise they need. Again, that’s the true secret to calm down an energetic dog.
