If any of these behaviors sound familiar, you might be dealing with a tired and overstimulated puppy…. here’s what you should do!
What I notice the most with people who own young dogs (let’s say ~1 year or younger), they have a similar complaint: their dog is good most of the time, but those times when they are naughty can be really challenging.
Owners deal with:
- excessive barking (seemingly to get attention)
- whining
- chewing on things (after exercise or play)
- nipping on hands/fingers/clothes
- inability to listen after a while
These are all the pinnacle signs of a tired and overstimulated dog! Most of the time, these behaviors come AFTER an activity or a full day out. Owners get confused thinking their dog should be tired and should want to sleep, but here’s the thing…
Young dogs are not very good at putting themselves to sleep when they need the rest. They are very prone to paying attention to any stimulation in the environment. If you take your dog on a walk or go on an outing, then you come home to a stimulating home (TV on, people talking, walking around the house, etc), your dog is going to reach their limits. This is when these annoying behaviors come out: your puppy is tired and needs to rest and can’t!
Here’s what to do: your dog needs to be put in a separate room, in a crate, and be given regular naps throughout the day. This is especially true after any activity! To get you used to it, make sure your puppy is getting at least 1-2 naps a day, alone. The issue with letting your dog sleep in the house on their own is they will probably wake up every time they hear any noise. This will make it hard for them to sleep. On the other side, your dog getting regular naps will teach them to sleep when they are tired, and they can transition to taking naps on their own.
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A look at Finn’s first session! Also a reminder that training doesn’t have to look like anything specific. When we are beginning a training journey, we need to start slow and easy. Build trust and the rest will follow! Plus a look at Finn’s first time seeing a horse!
The number one problem we see with our clients…..
Their dogs are TIRED!
Dogs need adequate amounts of sleep for brain development, a strong immune system, and muscle recovery. This can be:
💤18-20 hours of sleep for a young puppy (2-4 months)
💤14-16 hours of sleep for a puppy 4-8 months old
💤12-14 hours of sleep for young and adult dogs
If you are in a period of life where you are doing more training, or more physical/mental activity in general, then your dog will need even more sleep! Working and learning is hard work, and rest and recovery is an important step that is often missed.
If your dog is a puppy or adolescent (under 3 years), then you are at risk for your dog being overstimulated! Many of our clients will say “well my dog DOES sleep a lot” but if you pay attention, you might notice your dog is prone to following where the stimulation is. Does your dog watch you or follow you when you leave the room? Are you constantly petting your dog or giving them attention? Do they perk up when they hear noises?
Young dogs have to learn how to sleep with stimulation around them. If your dog is waking up every few minutes to pay attention to what’s happening in the room, then they will not get adequate rest, and they can become overstimulated and tired. This can lead to those pesky behaviors such as nipping, chewing, trying to bite or play when you pet them, getting zoomies, etc (especially if these behaviors happen after exercise or towards the end of the day when they’ve been awake for a while). Your dog doesn’t need more exercise, they need SLEEP!
To fix this, get your dog on a good sleep schedule. Once they have been awake for 1-2 hours or after heavy exercise/training, have them nap on place or in the crate. Simply getting enough sleep can change behavior, even if you do nothing else!
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It’s 2024, and it’s FINALLY time to have the dog of your dreams. Whether you are starting the training journey, or need some help getting your dog back on track, download your FREE (!) 13-page Roadmap to your Dream Dog. I’ve put together my best tips for creating the dream relationship with your dog through connection, obedience, and freedom. The beautiful thing about dog training is it’s an ongoing process for life. If you fall down, you can always get back up. There is so much to learn!Let’s get you your dream dog this year. Just click this link and you’ll be sent the freebie right away! www.ruggedk9training.com/freebie 🫶
Connection. Obedience. Freedom. The three pillars of our board-and-train training program. Our goal is to always give you an unbreakable connection with your dog while building up obedience and breaking down unwanted behaviors. Have a dog that you can rely on, can take anywhere, and that transcends everything you know about dog ownership. Now booking for 2024! Message us for more information!#dogtrainingvideos #dogtraininglife #dogtrainer #dogtraining101 #dogtrainingtips
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Operant conditioning is the learning method we use to get tried and true results. It was developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner in 1938 and is the method of using rewards and punishments to change behavior. Many people get really caught up on the word punishment and follow positive-reinforcement-only trainers because they want to train in a “nice” way, but that is what is keeping you stuck!
We had to utilize all four quadrants of operant conditioning in order to get a well-rounded dog. Why? To have a solution for every scenario. Using treats is all fun until your dog stops listening or ignores you! If the word punishment makes you nervous, think of it as a consequence or the action you take when your dog makes a mistake. There is no yelling or anger necessary. Let me give you examples:
Positive Reinforcement: giving a reward to promote behaviors (giving treats after a command is done right)
Negative Reinforcement: removing a stimuli to promote a behavior (applying upward pressure with a prong collar/slip leash and then *releasing* when the dog sits)
Positive punishment: applying a stimuli to prevent a behavior (applying a pop with a prong collar. This is also what using a spray bottle, pet corrector, a firm “no”, clapping hands, saying “HEY” etc. You are probably doing one of these when your dog misbehaves).
Negative Punishment: removing a stimuli to prevent a behavior (taking away toys when they get destroyed)
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What can I say, he’s a star! 🤣
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To have a dog that requires little input from you, I cannot emphasize the importance of clear communication and well-defined boundaries enough. The out command is a versatile command, signaling ‘leave what you are near and back up/go somewhere else,’ and is frequently employed to instruct dogs to respect personal space. If you want you dog to know when to leave a space or avoid a temptation, you must CLEARLY communicate that boundary.
Take Duke in the kitchen, for instance; he is free roaming in the house, which means he might very well wander into the kitchen and find me. If I were to start preparing breakfast, using the ‘out’ command ensures he refrains from approaching the food. This boundary is clearly marked for him: I don’t mind if you are in the kitchen before I cook, and I won’t say no because you haven’t done anything wrong yet. Once food comes out, it’s time to leave.
Let me know how you use this command below!
Dog training is simply creating a new pattern and system for your dog to follow. It can feel like this complicated and difficult process but it’s not! The main goal is to reach calm surrender and mental resilience so our dogs can experience life without reaction or fear. I practice the same in myself and want that life for my dogs.
“The more regularly and the more deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace.” ― J. Donald Walters
What’s the ONE thing 95% of people miss when they are training their dogs? The calm surrender. Calm surrender is a crucial element for the well-being of our dogs. In a world filled with stimuli, embracing a state of calm allows dogs to navigate their surroundings with greater ease. It promotes mental, physical, and emotional balance and reduces stress and anxiety that can adversely affect their health. Dogs that practice calm surrender are more receptive to training and can foster stronger bonds with their owners. Moreover, this serene disposition enhances their overall quality of life, contributing to a harmonious coexistence between pets and their owners. It’s not just a behavior, nor is it a suppression ; it’s a pathway to a happier, healthier canine existence.
IS TRAINING YOUR DOG ACTUALLY WORTH IT?
I may be biased 😉 but YES!
Training your dog can improve the quality of your life and the quality of your dogs life. It strengthens your bond and allows you both to have freedom beyond what you can imagine. You don’t have to take my word for it, here is a wonderful testimonial from our clients Rick and Susan :)
Should you let your dogs roughhouse and play with other dogs? Let’s talk about it!
Many people ask me if playing rough with other dogs is going to ruin their training or will hurt their relationship with their dog. In my opinion, there is NOTHING wrong with letting your dogs play rough with other dogs! It can be a great way to release energy and can be a way for them to be primal and play in a way that you can’t replicate as a human.
However, in order to have a successful playtime, you absolutely need to have 3 elements:
1. Your dog only plays at appropriate times when you allow it. Never inside the home, or when on a leash. With our own dogs, we even separate potty time and playtime. We don’t play during morning and nighttime potty time, and our dogs must be released into free time. Setting that boundary is important as you don’t want your dog choosing playtime when it’s not appropriate.
2. Make sure all dogs have similar temperaments and can play fairly. If you have a dog who is dominate or has bad manners, make sure you can step in to stop them or they shouldn’t be in the playgroup. It’s only fair if all dogs are giving and taking equally. If a dog has had enough, end the playtime. Which brings me to…
3. Make sure ALL dogs in the group stop playing as soon as you end it. We use “enough” and all the dogs know that when that word is said, they should immediately stop. This is very important! If you can’t stop the roughhousing, you shouldn’t allow it.
Please leave me any questions below in the comments, and happy playing!!
A little recap of @wagoweensavannah ! We will definitely be back next year!
One question we get a lot from clients or new dog owners is “does my dog need to have dog friends?”, and (like a lot of things in the dog training world 😝), it depends!
When it comes to a socialized dog, I am more concerned with a dog that can be calm, centered, and obedient around distractions, and that includes other dogs! I want people to be able to bring their dogs to pet stores, the vet, restaurants, the beach, anywhere and their dog will be level-headed and listen to them. Playing with other dogs 1-on-1 is a bonus.
Some dogs are super extroverted and love playing and being around dogs; other dogs are more introverted and prefer a small circle of dogs. Neither is better than the other! Of course playing can be fun and a great way to exercise your dog, but if your dog doesn’t want to play with other dogs, there is nothing wrong. Your dog can still live an extremely fulfilling life.
No matter how social your dog is, their relationships with other dogs should never come above their relationship with you. Prioritize training, mental stimulation, and playing with your dog yourself before you worry about playing with other dogs.
Louie 🤝🏻 Jack Skellington
if you want your dog to get better at sitting in stillness and being calm, you gotta practice! Just as we people find a mediation practice, our dogs need the same. They need practice sitting in stillness before they will enjoy it, seek it out on their own, or will be able to do it under distractions.
An easy practice is to create a calm sandwich. Before and after a physically or mentally draining activity, have your dog be calm. Then do the same after. The easiest practice to have your dog lay down without whining or trying to get up.
This can look like place time before a walk, or having your dog stay laying down in the car before you get to the park or beach.
This allows your dog to feel how good it is to stay in calmness and show them they don’t have to be overly concerned with what is happening around them. They can just be. It’s a great reminder to dogs and humans alike that just being is the only job we have sometimes. ❤️
Let me know if you have tried this and what results you have seen!
Amidst the chaos of life, finding stillness becomes the catalyst for productivity. Embrace moments of silence, as they allow your mind to settle, focus, and unleash its full potential. In the stillness, clarity emerges, creativity flourishes, and goals become achievable. Embrace the power of stillness to unlock your productivity and find harmony in the midst of life’s demands
