Daily exercise ensures your dog receives consistent mental and physical stimulation. — Dreamstime/TNS
Many pet owners are familiar with their dog’s hyperactivity, also known as the zoomies. In many cases, the root cause is the lack of a comprehensive education plan on the dog breed.
Your pup may need a daily exercise plan more fitted to their breed.
Here, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips for owners of hyperactive dogs.
> Research your breed
For more active breeds, a leash-walk doesn’t always do the trick. Try a game of fetch or running games in a fenced-in yard or dog park. If you are travelling or away from home for a long stretch of time, doggie daycare might be the best option for your pup.
> Ensure enough daily exercise
It’s important to make a daily exercise plan for your dog and keep to it. This will ensure your dog receives consistent mental and physical stimulation. They will appreciate the routine!
> Keep practical skills in mind
Once you know the exercise needs of your dog have been met, you can also teach practical skills to help your dog calm down – skills like sit, down and stay. If you find that your dog is excitable and hyperactive when company visits, the command of “down-stay” can be helpful in managing your dog’s energy.
> Provide a job for your dog
Dogs, especially active and intelligent breeds, can benefit greatly from regularly doing an activity involving both physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Performance events like field work, lure coursing, herding and dock diving are perfect for canine athletes, whereas obedience, agility and rally are fantastic for a dog that needs both physical and mental exercise.
> Stay consistent with vet checkups
If you’ve done your research about the correct amount of exercise for your dog based on their breed and age and put together an exercise plan and your dog still appears to be overactive, it’s a good idea to set up a veterinary checkup.
While it’s true that the root cause of hyperactivity is usually something to do with exercise and activities, there are medical conditions that can cause hyperactivity. It’s good to set up a comprehensive medical exam to rule anything out. – American Kennel Club/Tribune News Service
For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC at www.akc.org.
