High Energy Puppy Games

[TrishB]

In an effort to make sure my puppy has every chance to behave, I've been trying to tire him out before putting him into his crate. If he's still energetic, it takes him longer to settle down and sets him up for whining / barking (which I'd like to avoid).

When we go for walks, we're training (lightly, but training still the same). So it's not really energy zapping, running around. We do play with his toys, some tug of war (by the rules), some fetching, etc..

Do you have any other High Energy Puppy Games that are for little guys? I'd like to be sure all of his 'zoomies' are out before he goes into his crate.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

[damp]

What about some search and “nose work”??? The pup will use lots of energy sniffing around for some goodies or it’s favourite toy. Mental tiredness works just as good (if not better) to calm down and tire out a pup.

[TrishB]

I've never played scent games before with my dog (never had a breed that was inclinded to do so!). Do you have a Scent Games 101 that you could give me of how to start? Keep in mind this is a 12 1/2 week old pup.

[poohbearsmom]

I PMd you a website to check out...have fun!

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[LynnS]

Our puppy Bella is 16 weeks old and loves to fetch. We often tire her out this way. Puppies just seem to pass out on their own though on a regular basis =) I find Bella particularly funny because she is such a pain in the A** to wake up in the morning. My other dog woke up instantly when we did but not Bella! I guess she is not a morning person.

[damp]

When a pup is confident with the new surroundings and family, it’s the perfect time to introduce the scent work and 12 weeks old are not to early in my opinion.

There are several methods and many kind of nose work and lots of things to take into consideration and do wrong. I suggest you read some books about tracking to do it the right way from the beginning …just in case you and your pup find it so fun and interesting and that will be your favourite work ;)

No I don't have 101 games :D but 1 and here is how I do:

I show the pup some really good, let him sniff it, then I place it on the floor, while the pup is in another room (or at least not seeing where you place it) Then I bring in the pup and give MY command “søge” ;) and move my hand on the floor. As soon as he put his nose down and I hear “sniff - sniff”, I praise him and when he finds the food, I praise him like he had found one million crowns.

When he finds out what the command search means, I make the game more and more difficult - more goodies hidden behind table legs, in different rooms etc.
Next step is doing the game outside and for a month or two my pup will have to work/search for most of his meals, but again, there are many good tracking books describing (much better than I can do) how to continue.

Good luck with your pup!!!

[joquendo]

YES... I have THE most energetic pup in the world.. and she has been ever since she was 7 weeks old... she is now 12 months old - and as we speak, she is flying around the room, bothering the other dogs to play.. Usually I throw the ball for her a zillions times - which she loves, I walk her along with my other dogs, and finally when I am exhausted.... I end up giving her a huge raw beef neck bone which she chews and knaws on for at least 3 hrs, then she still bothers the others for an hr - until I HAVE to put her to bed, ONLY then does she fall asleep.

I have started her in agility (she is PERFECT for this due to her high level of activity) and yesterday we started fly ball.. - so hopefully between these two activities she will end up using that unspent energy...I usually give her a bone when I am exhausted during the evening, it keeps her occupied and really wears her out... good luck.. No more pups for me - from now on every dog I adopt will be a full grown adult... ;)

Good luck TrishB...