Puppies have a reputation for being rambunctious. They like to get up and go and never seem to run out of energy. This can be incredibly cute, However, sometimes you’ll just want your new best friend to relax & cuddle up. That can be hard to do with a whole lot of energy leftover from the day.
If you’re having trouble tiring out your puppy, don’t worry you’re not alone. Keep on reading to learn the best techniques to tire your pup out and get them to relax with you!.
Why Do Puppies Have So Much Energy?
Pups Have TONS of energy & this is a pretty well-known fact. Loads of videos exist on the internet of adorable young pups getting the “zoomies,” frantically running everywhere they go. This high amount of energy needs to be tended to, though.
Puppies have an excess of energy because their bodies are working overtime. They’re constantly working and growing. That’s why most people say that puppies can’t eat enough: they’re using all of the food that they eat as they burn energy. However, all that energy can lead to some unwanted behaviors.
When a pup can’t expend all of their energy, they may find themselves in trouble. Too much energy with no outlet can cause destructive behavior. It might even lead to aggression, and makes it hard for them to learn the rules.
11 Tips For Tiring Out Your Puppy
If you need to exhaust your puppy, be sure to check out the following tips.
These are a sure way to get those energy levels lower:
1. Take Long Walks-
Long walks are one of the best ways to tire out any rambunctious pup. A long walk is going to physically tire them out, but it’s also going to provide a huge amount of mental stimulation. When on a long walk, they get to stretch their legs and experience a whole host of things that they may not get on a day-to-day basis.
This includes meeting new people and pups and sniffing a variety of new smells. This will put them into overdrive, exhausting them quickly.
2. Socialize-
Socialization can be a great way to dwindle your pup’s energy, too.
When socializing, most puppies play with other dogs, meaning that they’re spending all of the energy they have. They’re also mentally stimulated. Meeting new friends, or hanging out with old ones, can keep them occupied for long periods of time, tiring them out faster than normal.
3. Play Fetch-
Fetch is one of the best exercises for a puppy that’s got a lot of spunk. It lets them spend loads of energy in bursts, with a layer of mental stimulation added.
*Fetch does come with a few commands that can be taught, like sit, wait, and drop it.*
All of these are a great way to mentally exercise your puppy. They’ll need to learn these commands sooner than later; why not do it while having some fun? Your pup will love it, and so will you. Take them out to the backyard with a few tennis balls and go to a fun town!. We just launched our Miminko Signature Pink Bouncy BallsTennis Balls for the dog who loves fetch. This will be the top dog product of the year for you!.
4. Hit the Park-
Heading to the park, even just to sit & relax, can be a BIG activity for your puppy. It follows the same principle that taking a long walk does. They get to spend a lot of their energy over time while receiving plenty of mental stimulation. This combination is the key to tiring a puppy out quickly. The more stimulation you can add, the more likely they’ll be to exhaust themselves fast.
5. Play Hide-and-Seek-
There are 2 ways to accomplish this. The traditional way is to teach your puppy to sit and wait. Once that’s been accomplished, you can then hide. Once hidden, start calling to them.
This is a fun way for them to use their senses and get some exercise at the same time. If they’re having trouble sitting and waiting, a friend can be recruited to sit with them while you hide.
The Second way to do this is by hiding treats for them to seek out. This is the most delicious way to play!, of course, and it can be a lot of fun for you to watch. Hide treats in a number of places, then prompt them to look for them (under your supervision). They get the same benefits of seeking for you, but with a tasty reward at the end.
6. Go Somewhere New-
Taking the same old walks and going to the same park can become repetitive/boring for you & your puppy. Taking them somewhere new is a great way to help them get rid of some of their energy. And they get the excitement of a new place spending hours exploring it.
Slowing down and smelling new things is one of the most enriching activities for any dog. A new place means a whole lot of new smells.
7. Learn a New Trick-
Learning a new trick is one of the most demanding things for any puppy. It requires that they focus on you and that they pay plenty of attention. This means that they’ll be tiring themselves out very quickly.
Some tricks even include physical exercise. Learning to roll over is an example of this. If you want to tucker a puppy out, teach them something new to show your friends it's fun for the both of you!.
8. Add an Instinct Based Activity-
Dogs have been bred for centuries to serve specific purposes. As such, many dogs have it in their blood to want to do certain activities. By adding an exercise that lets them express these instincts, puppies can get an enjoyable exercise.
- Some terriers were bred for sniffing out underground pests, so teaching them to dig for fun in a sandbox can be great.
- Retrievers should have big games of fetch.
- Working breeds may like towing around a cart.
Get creative and let your puppy enjoy its heritage!
9. Head Out For A Hike-
A hike is far more demanding than a simple walk is. As such, a puppy may be more inclined to tuckering out if taken out for a long hike. Hikes provide an incline and some rugged terrain. They also give plenty of opportunities to experience something new. Hiking is one of the best activities for puppies if you have access to trails.
10. Take A Swim-
Swimming takes a lot of energy for even the most in-shape dogs. As such, teaching a puppy to swim at a young age may be the best way to get them to settle down. Of course, swimming should be done on a supervised basis.
At first, it may need to be assisted, as well. This means providing them some help, allowing them to get used to the water, and then gradually letting them swim on their own. A life vest is a safety necessity, even for grown dogs. Hit the pool when you can. Your dog will take to it like a fish in water.
11. Provide a View-
Sometimes you can’t get out to experience new things with your puppy. Giving them a window to look out can give them some of the mental stimulation they may be missing out on during those days. They’ll get the opportunity to see what’s going on outside without having to be there.
This can keep their attention and will likely help tire them out. Be sure that the window is safe for them, and provide a stable platform. No one wants an accident to happen.
If your puppy is rambunctious, the best way to get them to tire out is by spending time with them. All of the suggestions above involve you! Your puppy is going to tire out the most when they’re engaged with you.
Remember to challenge them physically & mentally! and give them the attention and care that they need. Don’t worry; as they grow up, all of this rambunctious energy will calm down. Until then, enjoy it!
