Tips on taming(and training) your rambunctious dog. 

If your dog is a ball of energy, that vibrates without daily mental and physical exercise, then these tips are for you.

1. Training: The single most important thing you can do to tame your high energy dog is proper dog training. I cannot stress how important this is! In fact, if you have a high energy pup and have not consulted a professional trainer, then I implore you to stop reading this article and find a great trainer in your neighborhood. A professional dog  trainer will be an invaluable resource for you and your dog. 

1. Time Management: Aside from consulting a trainer, the second most important thing you can do to cool your dog's jets, is to spend as much quality outdoor time together as possible. Walking your dog provides mental stimulation, physical exercise, chances for socialization, and opportunities for behavioral training. Moreover, it gets both of you out and about while helping to grow the bond you have with your dog.

However, quality walks and consistent training may  still not be enough to slow your pup down. She also needs bonus activities that are both physically and mentally demanding.  Below  are a few tips and tricks that work for Uma and might be great ideas for your dog as well:

• Doggie Backpack: Putting a backpack on your dog and gives your dog the job he/she has been looking for. You’ll be amazed by the attitude change that comes over your pup For many dogs, it’s  like pulling a switch from being roudy to focused. Dogs love to work and have important tasks. Wearing a backpack seems to fill that void for many dogs. Try Adding a few plastic one liter water bottles for extra weight and turn your walk into a something way more physically and mentally challenging and meaningful. 

• Tracking games: Tracking games are one of the most empowering games you can play with your dog. Why? Because dogs have amazing noses and you don’t, which means when your dog is tracking, he/she is always in charge.  Trust me, your dog will love showing you how good his nose is.  Since there’s no input from you you only have two main jobs: 1. Hang on to the leash and  2.Give big hugs and a huge reward when he finds an object. I love tracking because it's a great way to chill outside while your dog does all the work.  

• Recall games: The recall or the “come” command is a super important behavioral command that your dog should be really, really good at it . Having a solid recall could even save your dogs life and will make off leash adventures with your dog a lot more fun. The best way to assure a solid recall is to practice, practice, practice.What you will need is an open field, a hungry dog, lots of yummy treats, and a partner. First have your partner hold your dog. Then show your pup that you have a treat. un excitedly  10 yards down the field, stop, and yell “come”.  At the same time your partner (who is holding your dog) releases him.  As your dog approaches you,  jog backwards with your arms open while praising your dog and encouraging him to come towards you. Once your dog reaches you, immediately produce the treat and give a ton of positive praise. Next, you hold the dog and have your partner repeat the same process. Gradually work this exercise until you get about 50 yards away. Next, have you and your partner stand apart and have the dog run back and forth. Then test your progress, let your dog sniff around his favorite spot and slowly back away and use your come command when you’ve gotten 15 yards or so away. If your dog comes bounding over to you, excited to play the new game, then you’ve passed the test and celebrated with your pup (lots of treats).  Keep drilling and testing every few days to be sure your recall command remains strong. 

• Kong stuffing: A Kong toy is one of the most important tools in your tool box for keeping your dog’s indoor energy levels in check.  These amazing, hollow and unbreakable rubber toys will keep your dog occupied for hours, especially if you stuff them correctly. There are many ways to stuff a kong. My personal trick is carrots and sliced turkey or a similar high value dog treat . My #1 goal is to make it as difficult as possible for my dog to get to the turkey at the bottom.  What I like to do is to cut a carrot into thick chunks. The beefy end pieces of the carrot are really what you want to concentrate on. The idea is to create a layering effect inside the Kong, where the thickest chunks of the carrot are wedged inside the Kong in such a way as to block the dogs access to the bits of turkey at the bottom. This matrix of wedged carrot chunks will prevent your dog from scooping the treats out with its tongue and force them to figure out how to get through the thick cluster.  A properly stuffed kong will give your dog an amazing  “jaw” workout, helps keep their teeth clean and give them some serious mental stimulation at home.   

I hope these tips help get you and your pup on the right track.  Remember, once you’ve got a system down, it all becomes routine and the two of your will become a fine-tuned machine.  You’ll have the right tools and mindset to handle rambunctious outbursts to keep your dog mentally and physically challenged.