Activities For Energetic Dogs
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Introduction
So your dog has a lot of energy. This can be a great thing, however it means that your dog is likely going to require a lot of activity in order to stay out of trouble. Fortunately, there are some great things that you can do with your energetic pal. The question, is whether or not you can keep up with your your canine buddy! Â Not only will you and pup enjoy the activities you do together, but the time that you spend being active will lead to your developing a stronger bond with one another. And of course, to nice naps on the couch.
Hiking
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
2 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Water and Water Bowl
Waste Bags
Treats
Activity description
A great activity for an energetic pup is hiking. You can embark on a hike with your pup through flat or mountainous landscapes for hours...or until one of you gets too tired! A hike with a decent amount of elevation gain is perfect for a high energy canine; even the most energetic of dogs will be ready for a some rest under a shady tree. The hours that you spend with your pup on the trail will help you get to know one another better and further enhance your connection. Fortunately, as your energetic pup gets older and slows down, you can still enjoy hikes together, taking it slower and perhaps reducing the length of your adventures.
Step
1
Choose a trail
Depending on where you live and how much hiking you have done, this may require some research. Fortunately, you can easily search online for trails in your area or in places that you are interested in traveling to. Once you have chosen where you will hike, make sure to bring a leash for your dog, bags to pick up their waste, plenty of water and a portable bowl that you can fill up with water to keep your friend well-hydrated.
Step
2
Hit the trail
Once you are ready it is time to hit the trail! If you and your pooch have not hiked much, it is best to start small, choosing a trail that is a mile or two and relatively flat. You can see how you and your dog do and the add distance and elevation as appropriate. Keep in mind that the weather and amount of available shade will impact how far you and your pup can go. On a particularly hot and sunny day, make sure to be careful and take it slow. It is always best, no matter the weather, to stop regularly and offer your canine companion some water so that they do not get dehydrated.
Step
3
Rest and rehydrate
Upon finishing your hike, even the most energetic pup may be ready for a break. Reward your pooch with a treat as well as with a bowl of water. Once you arrive home, it is the perfect time for the two of you to snuggle on the couch and get some rest. Not only will you have had the chance to bond on your hike, you will enjoy additional time together afterwards. After a break, you can take some time to plan the next adventure for you and your buddy.
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Bikejoring
Popular
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
20 - 120 min
Items needed
Bikejoring Kit
Water and bowl
Treats
Waste Bags
Safety equipment
Activity description
Bikejoring is riding a bike with your dog pulling you. Think dogsledding, but on your bike. This is an ideal activity for an energetic working dog who is in need of a job, and will keep your pooch busy while allowing you to spend quality time together. Your dog will love the opportunity to run at the pace that they prefer, which is often faster than your run, and have a job to do. The hard work that your dog puts in bikejoring will likely calm them down, at least for a little while! This activity is growing in popularity, as people seek new opportunities to spend time with their dogs while ensuring that their canine companions receive the proper level of exercise for their physical and mental health.
Step
1
Do some research
Before you get started, you will want to do some research to learn more about bikejoring to make sure that it is a good fit for your and your pup. You can look online for information, as well as attend a bikejoring event or group. It is a good idea to ask questions and learn more about this activity before embarking on it. Spending time talking to someone who has experience bikejoring will offer you valuable lessons and tips on the activity, as well as ideas on how to get started. For example, you will need to know more about the equipment you will need, the training you will require and where it is best to begin training with your dog.
Step
2
Start training
Now that you know more about bikejoring and are still interested in the activity, it is time to get started. Purchase a bikejoring kit that will allow you to attach your dog to your bike so that they may pull. Also be sure that you have all necessary safety equipment, including a bike helmet. You should expect that you will experience accidents and falls while embarking on this activity, so it is best to be prepared so that you minimize your risk of injury. Stay away from busy streets for the safety of you and your dog.
Step
3
Embark on the adventure together
You and your dog are now ready for some adventure together. Anticipate that this will be a learning process for your pup and have patience as you start on this adventure together. Start by teaching your dog the commands prior to attaching them to your bike. Do your best to stick to trails that won't hurt your dog's feet and avoid bikejoring in particularly hot weather, as this can be harmful for your dog. Bikejoring will likely be a challenge for you and your pup to learn, offering the opportunity for you to further bond through the shared experience.
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Dog Park Visit
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Waste Bags
Water
Treats
Toys
Activity description
A trip to the dog park is a great activity for an energetic dog, particularly on the days when you are having a hard time keeping up with your canine companion. Each trip to the dog park will be different, keeping things interesting for your pooch, who will have the opportunity to socialize with dogs of all sizes and energy levels. You can bring a toy to throw for your dog to fetch, which will keep them entertained even if there are no other new friends to play with. At the dog park, your best pal will be able to run and play, while you enjoy the privilege of watching your special buddy have a great time.
Step
1
Choose a dog park
Depending on where you live, you may have more than one dog park to visit. Each park will likely offer something different. For example, one park may offer more shade, while another offers more space to run. You might visit a park and find that it feels overcrowded. Check the parks out and see which park or parks appears to be a good option for you and you dog. Which park you prefer also may change based on the weather or time of year.
Step
2
Entering the dog park
You have chosen the park you plan to visit; now its time to get there! Make sure to have your dog on a leash when you are getting out of your car and entering the dog park. While your pup may be willing to stay next to you without a leash, that might not be the case for other dogs in the park and you will want to be able to have control of your dog if necessary. Upon entering the dog park, there are often two gates, creating a "pen" of sorts between the parking area and park itself. Should the dog park you are visiting be set up like this, open the first gate and enter with your pooch. Immediately close the gate before opening the next one. Once the first gate is closed, you can open the next gate and enter. Only upon being inside the park should you take your dog off leash.
Step
3
Have fun!
Once inside the dog park, it is time for your pup to let loose and have a good time. If other dogs are in the park, your pup may make some new friends who will run and chase one another. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog while they are playing to make sure that your buddy is not being overly aggressive or friendly to a dog that is not interested. If your dog is not interacting much with other dogs, get out a toy and throw it for them to fetch. You may find that another dog or two becomes interested and joins in the game, facilitating a way for the dogs to get to know one another. While your dog is having fun, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
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More Fun Ideas...
Go For a Run
If you are a runner, or have always wanted to run, an energetic dog can make a great running companion. Start slow and at a low mileage, and build the endurance of both your and your canine companion. It is best to avoid busy streets and keep your dog on a leash in case you need to be able to have control over them right away. Running will work up both you and your dog's thirst, so make sure to bring plenty of water. Your pup will love spending time with their person, and you will find that running with your dog is a great excuse to get outside and be active.
Water Play
Some energetic dogs will love to spend time in the water. This can include a plastic kiddie pool filled with water, or visits to water sources near you, like rivers, lakes or the ocean. Not only can your dog splash around, play and swim in the water, but you can also play games of fetch where your dog runs into the water to get the item you have thrown, returning it to you. Fetch in the water is a great idea for keeping a high energy dog busy that will not require a lot of physical effort on your part. Perfect for the day after a ten mile hike that wore you out but did not seem to impact your energetic pup!
Agility Activities
Agility activities are excellent for dogs with a high energy level, allowing them to be active while gaining new skills and improving upon them. These activities are also a great way to spend quality time with your dog. Start by involving your dog in a particular activity; for example, stepping through a hula hoop. Once your pup is able to do that when the hoop is on the ground, raise the hoop of the ground a bit, and encourage your dog to jump through. You can keep increasing the height the hoop is off the ground as your dog masters the ability to jump through it. You can use a kiddie tunnel for your dog to run through, as well as create jumps with PVC pipe. As your pooch masters a few of these activities, you can start stringing them together, creating an obstacle course for your dog!
Conclusion
While owning an energetic dog can feel overwhelming as that energy may turn destructive or you may be tired after a day of work, there are plenty of opportunities to involve your canine buddy in the harnessing some of that energy. Some activities even require minimal effort from you, which may be perfect when your energy level is nowhere close to that of your pup. Participating in these activities will not only get your dog the exercise they need, you will likely notice an improvement in your dog's behavior as they become tired after the intense activity. Perhaps best of all, while being involved in these activities, you and your dog will have the chance to spend time together and further develop your close friendship.