A Tired Dog Is a Good Dog!

Feeling frazzled by your frisky Fido?

While humans may have hectic days, dogs generally do not! If your dog seems to be restless, energetic or mischievous it could be a result of your busy lifestyle, or even the simple fact that dogs need stimulation. Remember, most dogs were originally bred to do a job  and lack of stimulation can result in exasperating behavior.

There are many simple things you can do to make sure your pet doesn’t fall by the wayside. Instead of just letting him out to the yard, go out with him and throw the ball for a few minutes. Let your dog accompany you when you walk to the kids’ bus stop. Even just bringing your dog for a ride in the car while you do some errands will give him some satisfaction of getting “out on the town!” You can fill up with gas, stop at the bank drive-thru, and bring your dog into the pet supply to get food.

Working your dog through a few minutes of obedience commands daily will provide exceptional results. He will behave more calmly because he’s feeling obedient, and will really enjoy the undivided attention from you. Mental exercise is just as important as physical! There is no better way to provide that mental exercise than through dog training.

Of course, taking your dog on a long brisk walk will be good for both of you. After all, will you really get so far behind if you set aside 20 minutes? It may be hard to find the time, but once you get out there you’ll find that both you and your dog will have fun!

Here are some more ideas of things you can do to keep your dog mentally and physically exercised:

1. Exercise your dog every day. Go for a long walk, throw the ball in the yard, or do whatever it takes to get your dog to burn off some of the extra energy. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, get a 20 foot long lead, and let your dog run around that way.
2. Practice obedience every day… By working your dog through the commands, you can help him to behave more calmly. Not only because he is feeling more obedient, but also because he enjoys the practicing, and it uses up some of his mental as well as physical energy.
3. Keep your voice calm. If your dog’s surroundings are high-strung, so will be your dog’s behavior. Avoid yelling at all costs. Instead, use an explaining voice to correct your dog, and train him appropriately.
4. Avoid separating your dog from guests. If you keep your dog separated, he may carry on with barking and crying. If he has been separated and then you let him join in, he will be even more worked up. Instead, use your dog’s leash to maintain control and prevent jumping. Also, separating your dog from guests can contribute to aggression problems, fear & timidness.
5. Buy your dog some new toys. New toys are always a big help in keeping your dog entertained. It can also be helpful to rotate your dog’s toys; put some away and keep some out. Then, we he loses interest, take out the hidden toys and put the ones away that have been out.

Remembering that A Tired Dog Is a Good Dog can go a long way toward having a well-behaved pet!