I often hear people talk about how busy their dogs are. Many of the comments refer to pups who just can’t seem to settle down…whether they are on a walk, in the car, or simply at home.
In honor of National Dog Training Education Month, I’m going to share some training tips on how you can help your overactive or “busy” dog settle down—no matter where they are!
Let’s get to it…
Why Is My Dog So Busy?
Foremost, let’s talk about the “why” behind your dog’s constant busyness…
For starters, you might just own a high-energy breed, such as a Brittany Spaniel or Australian Shepherd. There’s an extensive list of active breeds, so chances are your dog is on it!
Why are these breeds so busy? Most likely it’s because they come from working-dog blood lines. Working dogs require a lot of energy to do things such as herding cattle or working with a search-and-rescue team.
If this is the case, you need to provide your dog with exercise that is equivalent to the amount of exercise they would get doing their job. We will talk about this more in a bit, so keep reading!
Second, you might have an anxious dog.
Anxiety is often expelled as energy. So, if your dog gets anxious, they may be more likely to tear up furniture and household items, bark, pace, and run around uncontrollably.
Third, you might have a dog that gets bored easily.
That’s right! Dog’s can get bored just like humans do. There’s an easy fix to this problem, which I’ll cover in just a bit.
Now that we’ve briefly outlined the main causes of a dog to have a hard time settling down, let’s look into what needs to be done to help calm and relax your pup so he can rest.
Excess Energy Solution #1: Exercise Your Dog
As I mentioned above, some dogs are simply “born to run.”
If you have a high-energy/working dog, providing them with proper exercise is a MUST. Without a release, your pups’ excess energy can literally drive them crazy and lead them to develop bad habits as a coping mechanism for having too much energy.
How much exercise does your dog need? This part is a bit of trial and error.
Some dogs are satisfied with a nice walk around the block. Others need the opportunity to go do the dog park and run for an hour. It’s up to you to determine how much exercise your dog needs to relax.
How do you figure that out? Simply introduce exercise into your dog’s routine and then observe their behavior.
If your dog can take a walk around your neighborhood, then comes home, lies on the floor, and takes a nap, then the walk is probably adequate. If your dog is still rambunctious, then more exercise is probably in order.
Regardless of whether your dog has high or low energy, it’s important to get your dog outside for a bit of fresh air and exercise every day!
Excess Energy Solution #2: Provide Your Dog with Constructive Toys
Physical energy isn’t the only form of energy that might prevent your dog from settling down. Dogs who aren’t mentally stimulated can also struggle to relax.
Dogs are incredibly smart animals, so it only makes sense that they can get bored–and boredom can drive anyone crazy. The good news is that it’s easy to keep your dog mentally stimulated.
How? Here are a few ideas…
Training: Dogs love to learn, and it’s never too late to teach an old dog a new trick. Keep your dog mentally stimulated by incorporating some training into your daily routine. Not sure where to begin? Check out my kind and gentle dog training program here!
Puzzle Toys: Dog toy manufacturers are well aware of the importance of keeping dogs mentally stimulated. That’s why there are so many mentally stimulating dog toys on the market. From puzzle toys to Kong toys filled with treats, there are a thousand different ways you can add some fun to your dog’s daily routine!
Games: Have you ever played a game of hide-and-seek with your pup? How about setting up an agility course? Most dogs love playing games with their humans, and these types of activities are a wonderful way to keep your dog thinking while they also get some exercise!
Excess Energy Solution #3: Training to Overcome Anxiety
Yes, I know we already mentioned training above, but I wanted to get a little more detailed here regarding training to help your dog overcome anxiety.
If you have an anxious dog, puzzle toys and extra exercise are helpful, but they won’t solve the root cause of your dog’s constant need to be busy. The only way to help your dog settle down and relax is to implement a solid training program that will help shift the way your dog thinks and behaves.
My Dog Calming Code™ program teaches dog owners kind and gentle methods that rid dogs of anxious behaviors, allowing them to once and for all calm down and enjoy everything that life offers.
If your dog struggles with anxiety, I encourage you to check out The Dog Calming Code today!
Excess Energy Solution #4: Calm Your Dog with CBD Oil
Last but not least, I wanted to recommend trying CBD oil (especially CBD dog treats) to help relax your busy dog.
Of course, CBD oil is NOT the solution to getting rid of your dog’s excess energy or anxiety. However, it can be used as an AID to help your dog while you implement everything above that we just discussed.
I’ve recently launched my own line of CBD oil products for dogs. If you’re interested in trying them, you can find them here!
Owning a dog that never seems to relax can be stressful, but I know these tips can help you work through your dog’s behavioral issues.
Wishing you and your pup the best,
~Doggy Dan 🙂
