By Windsor, King.
A few days ago we went to an animal shelter to evaluate some dogs for possible rescue. I helped my human evaluate dogs for several years now. My human trusts my judgment a lot. I show him the bad boys by nipping at them.
Too bad that most animal shelters will not let me in – for my own safety, they say. But “we have our ways”. Sometimes we can park right next to a perimeter fence, at other times I take a comfort break in my chariot by walking along the fence. Often that is not necessary because volunteers walk shelter dogs outside the compound. Guess what. They help us on occasion by walking the dog we are coming to see right under our noses. My nose, that is.
At the shelter we met two hyperactive Bulldogs. A young male labeled 'hyperactive' but treatable went first. Let me tell you, I was no saint when I was young. But this guy beats me and most every other dog hands down. He was running like mad in his enclosure, plaid with three balls at the same time, jumped incessantly, rolled around on the ground, wrestled with himself, only to go back to chasing his balls. He was in perpetual motion, pacing back and forth and jumping, jumping, jumping. He greeted humans joining him in the cage with limitless exuberance and even wilder jumping.
Then they brought his companion, a young female. She is smaller, much smaller, but matches him in her hyperactive ways ball by ball and bounce by bounce. In fact, while the boy became tired rather quickly and started to slow done, even lie down on the ground, the girl appeared to become more active the more she played.
I have seen many overly active, nay, hyperactive dogs in my time. But none could compare to these two.
Why are dogs hyperactive? How do they get that way? Are they born hyperactive, you ask.
My human says it is always a good idea to have a vet check out the dog to make sure that there is no physical cause of the hyperactivity. It could be, he says, a thyroid problem among others.
Truly hyperactive dogs are quite rare. In most cases the 'hyperactive dog' just does not get enough workout. Dogs are meant to travel distances and to run a lot. Can you blame us for becoming overly active when we have to sit in a small cage in an animal shelter for many months?
Certain breeds are by nature more active and therefore need to workout more often and longer. Humans call them working dogs and herders. I call them nuisance dogs because they always make trouble in dog parks.
Puppies, are also much more active. They have to be that way, it is normal for them. Keep in mind that some of us stay 'puppies' for a long time. That can mean up to two years in certain breeds.
All of us, big or small, need regular daily walks. Thirty minutes per day is the absolute minimum. I know you may have a hard time fitting it into your schedule. But should you then have a dog, I ask?
When I say 'walk' I mean a brisk walk not a leisurely stroll grandpa style. Take a ball or other toy with you and let us chase it in a dog park or a large enclosed property – with the owner's permission of course. That will speed up the process. Playing fetch is another good idea. It spends a lot of pent up energy. Maybe we can even find a place to swim.
Are you into bike riding or even mountain bike riding? We would love to be with you out there. We can keep up with you. It is a great physical exercise and a bonding experience.
Some of us even enjoy agility training. It is physically demanding and provides at the same time much needed basic obedience training.
Which conveniently brings me to my next thoughts.
Many an overly active dog is in dire need of basic training. We may be hyperactive, undisciplined, respectless and overbearing just because we do not know better. Puppies don't train themselves to be good canine citizens. The pack trains them. Teenage dogs don't train themselves either. They need guidance and training.
Therefore, enroll your active dog in a class for basic obedience. Or, if you do not have the time and patience, let a dog trainer do the work.
Your bouncy canine friend needs to master at least the four basic building blocks of good dog behavior: Sit, down, sit stay and down stay. He also has to learn to 'come' on command, at once and under all circumstances. Mastering this command can be a great challenge.
Even I have to admit that I develop selective hearing at times. You know, it's hard to hear 'come' when lots of exiting things are happening all around you.
Ah, I almost forgot to mention another reason for hyperactivity: Attention getting. Some of us want attention all the time. And lots of it. They will do anything that will get them attention whether it is good or bad attention. If you have one of those guys, remember never to give them any kind of attention when they display undesirable behavior. When he barks, do not tell him to shut up. When she whines and cries, do not tell her to stop it.
If you do, you reward the offender with attention.
Instead, reward only good behavior. He will repeat the behavior that brought him the rewards.
Reward desirable behavior, ignore bad! And be consistent at all times.
Shelter dogs are quite often overactive and even hyperactive. No wonder. They experience the trauma of abandonment. They get caught on the streets. They sit in small cages or small runs, often together with other animals, for extended periods of time. At best they get a daily walk that lasts for a few precious minutes. But it is never long enough to spend all the energy these dogs have.
No wonder they act crazy when brought to a fenced area outside the kennels to meet people or to play. It is almost natural for a shelter dog to be extremely active, to say the least, when she comes into a new home. All that pent up energy has to be released somehow.
Can hyperactive dogs be rehabilitated? A truly hyperactive dog may need medication to correct the condition. But true hyperactivity is quite rare.
Overactive dogs, such as kennel dogs that were caged for a long period of time, can be rehabilitated. Treatment is as easy as regular walks and challenging physical exercises.
To rehabilitate your overactive dog follow a few simple steps:
1.Have your dog checked out thoroughly by a veterinarian for any physical problems that could be the cause of hyperactivity.
2.Walk you dog daily twice for at least 30 minutes or expose him to other vigorous physical exercises. If you have a treadmill at home, have your dog run on the treadmill. Some active breeds will need more than the standard 30 to 60 minute walks.
3.Take your dog to obedience class. Even better, take your dog to an agility course and let him work out there. This exercise provides not only physical challenges but also provides compelling lessons in obedience.
4.Take your herder to a place where she can learn to herd sheep. It works miracles.
And always remember: The walk is the basis of all dog rehabilitation.
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