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A high-energy dog can be a big bundle of fun. They are always up for cuddles, activities, and games. But that big goofy grin and “go, go, go” mentality also means they can struggle to find the off switch!
If you have a busy schedule and a rocket-powered dog- how can you make it work?
Our 24-hour guide to energetic dogs can help you. A daily routine that’s built around enrichment, efficiency of time, and promoting calm.
Just like the humans in our life, our dogs have individual personalities. Some like lazing around, while others would rather run loops of the garden. Certain breeds tend to be born with high-energy traits too - think shepherds, collies & huskies!
Dogs were selectively bred for a purpose, to work beside us. So high-energy dogs tend to need that sense of “work”in their life to stop them bouncing off the walls.
If you have chosen or adopted a dog who exhibits a high-energy personality, to get moments of peace and quiet in your day and minimum destruction of household objects, you will require a daily routine that addresses their work drive.
Here’s a template that even those with a full work schedule can utilize to create a little more calm. Built on a foundation of exercise, structure & brain work, designed to keep your energizer bunny puppy happy and help them nap more in the day too.
Just like the humans in our life, our dogs have individual personalities. Some like lazing around, while others would rather run loops of the garden. Certain breeds tend to be born with high-energy traits too - think shepherds, collies & huskies!
Dogs were selectively bred for a purpose, to work beside us. So high-energy dogs tend to need that sense of “work”in their life to stop them bouncing off the walls.
If you have chosen or adopted a dog who exhibits a high-energy personality, to get moments of peace and quiet in your day and minimum destruction of household objects, you will require a daily routine that addresses their work drive.
Here’s a template that even those with a full work schedule can utilize to create a little more calm. Built on a foundation of exercise, structure & brain work, designed to keep your energizer bunny puppy happy and help them nap more in the day too.
Of course, you can shift these times to suit your schedule and work life.They are here as placemakers for the amount of time each part should roughly take.
Before you start your day, you’ll most likely need to get the edge off your dog. This might mean setting your alarm an hour earlier.Do you have to become an early riser? Not necessarily, but if you want a productive day of doggy downtime ahead, it’s usually more effective to start with your pup’s needs first. Pick any energetic activity- a long walk, a hike, a jog or a frisbee session. The main thing is to get that body movingand release some steam, for at least an hour if not more!
Before you start your day, you’ll most likely need to get the edge off your dog. This might mean setting your alarm an hour earlier.Do you have to become an early riser? Not necessarily, but if you want a productive day of doggy downtime ahead, it’s usually more effective to start with your pup’s needs first. Pick any energetic activity- a long walk, a hike, a jog or a frisbee session. The main thing is to get that body movingand release some steam, for at least an hour if not more!
This is arguably the most important part of a high-energy dog routine,and one that many owners don’t know the importance of. Having a clear transition, or cool-down, between activity and quiet time allows your dog to wind down. Usually, rocket-dogs aren’t great at decelerating quickly, but the key to helping them turn off is to start using their brain.
Incorporate something here that requires your dog to focus. Strapped for time? Your best bet would be to combine the first two steps.So work your dog's body and brain with something like an agility course, a long game of fetch interspersed with training exercises or a trip to the dog park for some socializing.
This is arguably the most important part of a high-energy dog routine,and one that many owners don’t know the importance of. Having a clear transition, or cool-down, between activity and quiet time allows your dog to wind down. Usually, rocket-dogs aren’t great at decelerating quickly, but the key to helping them turn off is to start using their brain.
Incorporate something here that requires your dog to focus. Strapped for time? Your best bet would be to combine the first two steps.So work your dog's body and brain with something like an agility course, a long game of fetch interspersed with training exercises or a trip to the dog park for some socializing.
Instead of serving your high-energy dog's food straight up, continue the cooling down period by making them work for their food. Either in a frozen Kong, a snuffle mat or a puzzle toy.
Need to make it even harder? Divide the meal into several toys and hide them around the room. Be sure your dog is adjusted to using puzzle toys before starting out, otherwise you could instead amp them up with frustration instead!
Instead of serving your high-energy dog's food straight up, continue the cooling down period by making them work for their food. Either in a frozen Kong, a snuffle mat or a puzzle toy.
Need to make it even harder? Divide the meal into several toys and hide them around the room. Be sure your dog is adjusted to using puzzle toys before starting out, otherwise you could instead amp them up with frustration instead!
While your dog is busy with their breakfast, you can begin your day.Have a shower, eat breakfast and get ready for work or school. With your morning’s efforts you should get a solid few hours of peace.
While your dog is busy with their breakfast, you can begin your day.Have a shower, eat breakfast and get ready for work or school. With your morning’s efforts you should get a solid few hours of peace.
Until lunch, include a potty breakand let your dog take a nice nap- hopefully they’ll want to snooze, after the morning activities!
Break up your dog’s day with a play break. It could be a mini outing, some more tug of war or fetch. Then follow the same principle again of cooling down, and feed their lunch in an exciting way.If you are out all day, it’s wise to hire a walker or carer to pop in and give your dog a little midday stimulation.
Break up your dog’s day with a play break. It could be a mini outing, some more tug of war or fetch. Then follow the same principle again of cooling down, and feed their lunch in an exciting way.If you are out all day, it’s wise to hire a walker or carer to pop in and give your dog a little midday stimulation.
If your dog is super energetic, you may have to scatter in a few more breaks during the day too. Plus you might want to let them out to potty once or twice over the next few hours.
If your dog is super energetic, you may have to scatter in a few more breaks during the day too. Plus you might want to let them out to potty once or twice over the next few hours.
That’s right, it's time to exercise your dog again.This could be a shorter walk, a visit to the dog park, or a fetch & tug of war combo. If you don’t have a lot of space, you could utilize a flirt-pole, making sure your dog vigorously chases for a good amount of time.
That’s right, it's time to exercise your dog again.This could be a shorter walk, a visit to the dog park, or a fetch & tug of war combo. If you don’t have a lot of space, you could utilize a flirt-pole, making sure your dog vigorously chases for a good amount of time.
Once again it’s time to cool down your dog.To get a good night's sleep ahead, make sure to bring in the brain teasers again, either with some serious new skills work, a puzzle game or some games with the kids.
Feed your dog in an elongated way again, this helps to give them that sense of “work” in a simple and quick way. This will be the final step to winding them downfor the evening.
With a totally chilled-out dog, you’ll now be ready to enjoy some cuddles,a good film and a good night's rest. Ready for the morning energy burst first thing!
Once again it’s time to cool down your dog.To get a good night's sleep ahead, make sure to bring in the brain teasers again, either with some serious new skills work, a puzzle game or some games with the kids.
Feed your dog in an elongated way again, this helps to give them that sense of “work” in a simple and quick way. This will be the final step to winding them downfor the evening.
With a totally chilled-out dog, you’ll now be ready to enjoy some cuddles,a good film and a good night's rest. Ready for the morning energy burst first thing!
Incorporate these principles into your high-energy dog’s routine and you will no doubt see them calmer and happier in no time. Remember, you can always hire some doggy daycare, or a dog walker to take one of these sessions of your hands, if you are really pushed for time.
However you achieve it, your dog will return the favor of an enriched lifeby being a great friend and lifelong companion, as all our lovely high-energy dogs really are.