06/24/2024
Who has an adrenaline ju**ie dog?? 🙋♀️
As promised my article on - The Young & the Hyperactive dog - How should they be managed?
I've been living with Border Collies now since 1992 and there have been many!. Over the years I've learnt lots about "Hyperactive adrenaline ju**ies" as I call them. Every time someone new sees me with the dogs they say "Gee I bet they need a lot of exercise". Its funny how everyone just assumes high energy breed ='s must have lots of high energy exercise!
Well this is often the first huge mistake new owners of high energy breeds make!
Why?
• Some dogs get a "high" off the adrenaline that is released by high energy exercise & this is very addictive to these dogs!
• These high energy dogs often have the ability to go all day once their fitness is built up! So wearing them out becomes impossible!
• What happens when you can't give them their Adrenaline release for a few days or a few weeks?? They go crazy!
• Breaking an exercise routine can also cause high stress levels in these dogs.
• Some of these dogs will have high arousal levels that are redirected to Car Chasing or reacting to dogs barking behind fences etc.
So what should we do?
• The first thing I teach my Border Collie puppies is how to just chill & do nothing! This means I food reward being still & I do this often.
• I teach them how to be happy & relaxed in a Puppy Pen & Crate.
• I try & keep exercise calm.
• Don't let them develop into "Exercise Junkies"! Control high energy exercise like ball throwing & racing around with other dogs.
• I don't develop a Routine! We all know those dogs who start running around & getting worked up, because they know 5pm is the time you take the dog out for their exercise!
• I'm very unpredictable when I take the dogs out for exercise & also the type of exercise.
• Direct your exercise depending on the dog. If your dog is "high as a kite" then going out to the park & throwing the ball for them over & over... Is only going to increase their adrenaline release! Controlled on lead walking maybe a better choice?
I want adult dogs who have excellent 'OFF" switches & this is learnt best in the first 12mths of their life. I call it teaching my dogs to be "Lazy" Just lie about on the lounge & do nothing!
I can wear a dog out much easier by doing training & working their mind. Dogs need mental stimulation. This is why I love trick training. I also use lots of different food dispensing toys to keep them occupied.
I however do require some of my dogs to be very fit for the work they do & hence they do get a huge amount of exercise! But I'm prepared to have high energy Adrenaline Junkies that do require a lot of training. I don't think most people want this...So be careful what you create!! but still my young dogs only get controlled exercise with a "when I feel like it motto" to enhance my OFF Switch when nothing is happening!.
