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By: Sara Ondrako, Certified Canine Behavior Consultant
My first dog as an adult was the cutest little pogo stick you ever did meet. That was my endearing phrase to mean he was bonkers. High energy. Hyperactive. He was a Miniature Pinscher that, for the first six years of his life, seemed to lack the ability to walk but rather, only knew how to run or bounce (like a pogo stick) to get from place to place. Every day was the best day ever, and it was quite comical to watch my dog do everything with so much enthusiasm. He constantly sought my attention in ways that a college kid did not have the patience or experience to handle appropriately. I chalked it up to him just being a hyperactive breed because that’s what the “experts” at the pet store he came from had told me. Practically a kid, I knew no better.
Hyper means “unusually energetic” and the first thing to know about unusually energetic dogs is that they are typically hyper due to a need not being met. There’s always a root cause and just being considered an “energetic breed” does not mean a dog’s hyperactive behavior is normal. There are breeds that generally require more physical activity and mental stimulation, such as herding breeds like Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, and Border Collies. There are also breeds that typically cannot be exposed to a lot of physical activity for genetic reasons, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs, who are more prone to heat stroke and respiratory problems. Despite breed generalities, you’ll find the most success by looking at the individual dog in front of you to truly address hyperactivity (or any behavioral concern). Dogs, like humans, are a product of both their genetics and their environment.
For new puppy owners out there, keep in mind it is normal for puppies to be more high-energy than adult dogs. So if you’re feeling exhausted from keeping up with your puppy’s activity level - you’re probably doing it right! I recommend every puppy owner, experienced or not, recruit a reputable dog trainer that practices Least Invasive Minimally Aversive techniques (LIMA) to navigate the puppy phase. They can help pinpoint practical solutions if your puppy has a lot of energy to avoid turning into a hyperactive dog.
Those evening zoomies, repetitive behaviors, and “redecorating the room” episodes can be extremely frustrating. Here are five common causes and solutions to help you calm your dog down:
Remember to look at the individual dog’s needs to determine if they are being met, not just the breed. I’ve met Golden Retrievers that are wonderfully calm and collected therapy dogs, and I’ve met Golden Retrievers that are hyper-hot messes. I promise you the difference between those dogs cannot be accounted for by looking at their genetics alone, but rather their mental and physical well-being as driving forces behind their behavior.
As for me and my little pogo stick, even as a poorly-equipped college kid, I learned so much about the importance of individual needs when living with a “hyper dog.” I was eventually able to channel all of that fantastic energy into a brilliant, friendly dog that could relax when it was downtime and even snuggle in for snoozes like a cuddle master. It only took me six years.
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