High Activity Level

[Maureen & Shyla]

My puppy is seven months old and has a killer energy level.  She sleeps great at night--10 hours--but hits the ground running the minute she wakes up.  Our routine was a three-five mile walk, a few hours to hang out, then into the crate for a two-hour nap.  By noon, she was ready for another three mile walk.  Even with that, she was wide awake and looking for trouble until her late afternoon nap.  Another two hours and she was restless until it was time to crate her for the night.  When my husband had surgery, I put her in doggy day camp.  She came home and was one tired puppy so now she goes to camp Monday-Friday.  She must have gotten used to the six-hour romp because even with a 3-mile walk and doggy playtime, she has trouble settling down from 7 pm until 10.  It's exhausting.  Is this normal?

Help!  

[Linda and Murphy]

I am so impressed.

I bought one of these thinking I could do that with Murphy. My older son is the biker so I suggested he "try it" first. He informed me that " being on a bike with a 100 pound dog attached did not seem like a good idea!"

[Maureen & Shyla]

Adorable.   Are you need are matching booties!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Absolutely normal .....thechildrens hour....or more accurately the puppy hour. It will not last forever......just enjoy

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

Very normal. Snickers has a lot of energy. One thing that tires him
Out and is good is we will go over training exercises. It seems when he has to "think" some of that energy is used up. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

7-10pm is zoomie time.  Peri just turned 2 and it is better, but we still have the occasional wild times.  Totally normal!

 

It will get better :)  For example, took both dogs for a 20-30 minute walk this a.m. before work.  They were both asleep again when I left for work.  They will be excited tonight, but will calm down faster. Still, while we eat many nights, Peri gets an excited zoom in around the house!

[Adina P]

Another thought is obedience training.  That doesn't kill energy, but it helps to tire out a dog's BRAIN in addition to the dog's muscles.  And some concerted time daily, in obedience lessons (perhaps a couple of 10 minute sessions) might be helpful. Plus, regardless of a dog's energy level, once you get to a certain point in obedience you can actually give a command like "Puppy, Down-STAY" and have that dog lay by your feet when you just can't take another moment of her zooming around the room going bonkers.  Boca is much higher energy than Rosco ever was.  Until she collapses around bedtime she tends to just want to pace, walk around the house, go outside, find things to do.  She isn't happy to just lie down and chill for long periods of time. Unless she's in her crate...then she will lie down and relax.  But if I put her in a down stay, then she will lie there quite nicely and relax.  Of course her stays aren't terribly long (5 min max right now) but helpful! 

 

I would second fetch or something that requires her short bursts of running.  She's too young to go on long runs or bike rides for the safety of her joints. But perhaps throwing in a few minutes of chasing a ball around the yard might help in addition to your walks. 

 

And then it might be just the way she is and with time she'll need less exercise to keep her from jumping on the walls.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

or... consider getting a second dog so they can tire each other out :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona is not wearing Owen out at all!

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

Coco is high energy at that time. We play fetch inside and go on 2 mile walks daily!! That seems to help her a lot!! She loves to fetch and I only throw things with unexpected bounces, like a Kong!! It takes more brain power which tires her!!

[Dori & Rua]

Rua does day care twice a week and I am most fortunate that my husband likes to play with Rua.  In our walk-out basement, we have two rooms that connect together and hardly any furniture..it is 37'.  She will do hot laps and figure 8's!  Get's nice and tired.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

WOW even after day camp? I feel for you!! We have one hyper one and one mellow one. Every night is an adventure. Gotta love the puppy age!! Good luck!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yes, Rosey is this way.  I can walk her for 2 hours and it is no big deal.  Unless she gets real running time, for at least 30-40 mins she does not tire out.  She spent lots of time in doggy daycare her first year.  Then we got another doodle (Bandit) to help occupy her, which helps, but certainly does not have the stamina Rosey has.. thank doodles.   Make sure she is is running, that really helps... walking is certainly doesn't do it.  And now, Rosey will lay down at daycare because Bandit does so then she comes home looking for more exercise..