Depending upon whom you are speaking with, your dog may be hyperactive or he may have a strong prey drive. If you are an avid hunter or compete in agility with your dog, you want a dog with a strong prey drive and lots of energy. If you are a pet owner that lives in a small apartment you probably would prefer a dog that was less active.

     A border collie that has spent a good share of his life chasing and herding sheep along with competing in the agility arena and then transplant this same dog into a small home in the suburbs, you may end up with a dog that seems to be schizophrenic or just plain nuts. Dog trainers refer to these dogs as hyperactive dogs. What I hope to accomplish in this article is to suggest a couple of reasons why dogs have these high energy levels and how to help manage the problem.

     One reason why dogs are high energy could be they were bred to have a lot of drive so that they can do the work that they were created to do. Hunting dogs hunt, herding dogs herd and terriers are terrorist if confined to small areas. In other words, it’s in the genes. You are not going to change the personality or temperament. But, you will be able to channel it into something more productive and less destructive.

     Diet plays a significant role in a dog’s energy level as well. Some of the dog foods that are on the market today have ingredients in them that would be comparable to feeding your kids pop and candy bars as a regular diet. Some dog foods have been known to cause allergies in certain dogs. The same link to hyperactivity in children can be made with dogs as well. The chemical additives used as preservatives may be affecting your dog’s energy level. Check with your Vet to see if a diet change might help your dog’s behavior.

     There are situations that arise where dogs actually have a chemical imbalance in their brain for one reason or another. These are pretty rare and often even more difficult to diagnose.

     Although diet, breed specific drives, allergies and other medical issues can cause hyperactivity in a dog; lack of structure and not enough exercise may be the most common reasons.  Since dogs learn by association, if your dog is left to himself to do what he wants whenever he wants, he will most likely be uncontrollable and often times unmanageable.

     Obedience training is an easy way to bring structure into your dog’s life. If your dog is so wild that he is unmanageable, you will need to introduce the training with a leash. The leash will help you guide your dog to teach him exactly what each command means. Sit really does mean sit. The stay command is one of the most important commands that you could teach your dog because it helps to develop his concentration level, which will result is a dog that is more attentive. Group training classes run $75 to $125 and private lessons run $395 for beginner obedience.

     Lack of exercise is another reason why many dogs are out of control. If you have a high-energy dog and you live in an apartment or have a small yard, your dog may not be getting the exercise he needs to burn up all that energy. Putting your dog on a run will not help the problem, if fact it may make it worse. There are several things that could be done to help your dog get the exercise he needs.

     First, you could take your dog to a park and let him run a play with other dogs for about an hour at a time several days per week. If you don’t have a dog friendly park in your area, you may want to consider doggie day care. These facilities are becoming increasingly more popular among busy people that work long hours. Doggie day care runs about $10 per day with discounts for shorter time periods. You can leave your dog to play with other dogs all day long. Your dog will return home at the end of the day so tired that you will wonder if it is the same dog.

       The next option would be to install a fence to contain your dog. There are many different types of fences available today and the cost varies considerable. Permitting your dog to run free in your own yard has its conveniences. You can let your dog out several times a day and give him an opportunity to get that much needed exercise.

     The Hidden Dogs fences typically run about $1200 for a complete installation, training and equipment covering ¼ to ¾ of an acre. Within 10 to 14 days your dog could be running free in his own yard.

     Good health, a quality diet, obedience training and plenty of exercise will go a long way to calm a high-energy dog. I hope that you have found these tips helpful.

Contact Information

Tom Beitz is the owner of the Academy for Puppies and Dogs and is an authorized dealer for Pet STOP Hidden Dog Fences. Tom can be reached at (716) 628-0651 to answer your questions or he can be found on the web at www.smartdogtrainer.com . E-Mail: Tom@Smartdogtrainer.com

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