Hyperactive Dog

A happy dog is a good dog, and a good dog is tired dog.

Time flies and the day is done when you have a pup stuck in high gear. Do not worry, you are not alone; there is a solution… animal enrichment.

I am the proud owner of a well-behaved, nondestructive, two-year-old Siberian husky. When she turned four months old, we made our first trip to the dog park to begin her socialization among peers, and to make my first appearance back into the world of dog in almost 20 years.

But I did remember that it’s customary for dog people to fawn over a new puppy, laugh and joke about stained carpets, shredded pillows, and all night whimper sessions, then offer advice to the new pup’s owner.

Well, I listened politely to the raves about crating, the logic of blocking off the kitchen, and even the old time standby of giving up and sending it all outside to a well-built kennel. But not once did anyone mention the merits of proper exercise and mental stimulation. The average energy dog needs about 40 minutes a day at a good trot to release pent up tension. High-energy dogs require more.

I am a high-energy person, and for a short period of time, I worked in an office. Once a day I was let out for a quick walk around the block… and then be expected to return to work without destroying my workspace. But I couldn’t help myself. I chewed pencils, doodled on my calendar, bit my nails, tapped my foot, and disturbed my coworkers with constant nervous whistling.

If I were a dog, I would undoubtedly bark, chew everything in sight, and probably would nip at my hindquarters until my fur was gone.

Fortunately for my dog, I learned something important during a trip to the Bronx Zoo. I learned about animal enrichment. These are well-planned regimens designed to keep animals physically and mentally fit. The routines start with exercise and are followed by boredom-busting activities throughout the day.

The enrichment program kept the polar bears from destroying their habitat, so I figured it would certainly keep a puppy from tearing up my house. From the minute Amy (my pup) was welcomed into our house, we went right to business.

We took a quick tour of her new digs then hopped into the car for a 1/2 hour hike. (Back then, that was enough for her little legs.) When we got home, she was rewarded with puppy chow, taken to the paper for potty, and left alone to nap. Therefore, the cycle began.

Two weeks later, I introduced her to the treadmill.

It’s the most practical gift you can give your pet and yourself. Why? Because realistically sometimes the weather is really nasty, or you might not have time to drive to the park and get in a good workout, and let's face it, sometimes you just don’t feel like leaving the house.

The trick to successfully completing an exercise routine on a treadmill is the reward. After Fido does his work, reward him by taking him outside. A few minutes in the yard or to the corner for some sniffing is all it takes to convince him he’s been on a long hard run, and he will probably take a long hard nap.

BUT REMEMBER: Let your dog set the pace. Watch their reaction to exercise. Just like people, it takes time to build endurance and strength. For a couch potato to become a marathon runner, it may take a while, but it’s possible.

If you’re going to work or will be gone a while, here’s another trick: I keep empty marrow bones and stuff them with goodies like canned dog food, peanut butter, and rice, and leftovers; then I freeze them and hide them in plain sight around the house.

Now when I put Amy in the bedroom and she hears the sound of the freezer, she’s not thinking, "Oh, no I’m going to be left alone!" She’s thinking, "Hurry up and leave so I can get my treats." Leftovers are only recommended if you eat healthily—day old pizza isn’t dog-friendly.

Besides the treadmill, jogging, and hiking, there are other are other ways Amy and I work out.

• Biking (Most essential is "The Springer." It fits on the bike to keep the dog away from the wheels. Other brands are available, but I love this one.)
• Scootering (Amy, a sled dog by nature, loves the challenge of pulling and taking directional commands.)
• Skijoring (A pulling sport on skis—other pull sports that I have not tried are rollerblading and skateboarding.)

Our next challenge will be the dog sulky.

Bonus Workout… a trip to an off-leash dog park is a welcome treat before or after your routine. Dogs play in ways we humans just do not understand. Even better is to find a friend for your dog who has the same play style and set up a regular play date. Amy has a few husky friends. They love running shoulder to shoulder at top speeds just like they were leading a sled team.

Now, with any of these sports, you’re bound to run into someone who will scoff at you and accuse you of torture when they see your panting pooch, but those folks probably have what I consider problem dogs. And panting is a good sign. A recent study showed that not all panting is a sign of heat, it’s also the sound of laughter, dog happiness.

About Author:

I am Matthew Evans and I want to show people how beautiful and interesting our world is. I am a coach, casinoland reviews writer, and blogger. In addition, I really like to read new information about psychology and world history. I hope that my knowledge will help me to understand people and make their lives better. Also, I am proud owner of a Siberian husky. I love dogs and now I want to buy two husky puppies. My dream is to have my own husky kennel.