If you’ve got a hyperactive dog who needs to chill before a nap, car ride, vet visit, or for any other reason, you’re probably looking for ways to tire them out quickly. Maybe a walk would take too long and you don’t have the time. Maybe you need something a little more vigorous that won’t make you tired, too. There are plenty of things you can do to burn off some puppy energy that dogs of all ages get sometimes. Here are SIX of the best ways to wear out an energetic pooch. dog tired dog walking
6. Run The Stairs dog tired dog walking
If leaving my apartment has taught me anything, it’s that there’s nothing more exhausting than stairs. If your dog is able to handle stairs well, running them up and down is a quick way to get out excess energy. You can do this inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a leash, have them chase a ball or toy, or toss treats to keep them moving.
5. Playing With The Hose
If your dog doesn’t mind the water using the hose (or sprinklers) can be a great way to give them exercise. I found this out by accident the first time I tried to bathe my dog outdoors after he rolled in something gross. Rather than standing still for his bath he went crazy trying to chase the stream of water.
Some dogs love chasing water that’s coming out of a hose or sprinkler. He’d run back and forth chasing the hose hours if I let him, and it’s one of those activities where your dog (or water bill) is doing all the work.
4. Flyball
Another high-energy activity is Flyball. In this competitive sport, dogs are part of teams and the rules of the game are similar to a human relay race. Dogs race down a course, which includes 4 hurdles. At the end of the first leg sits a box with tennis balls. The dog must stomp on this box to release a ball and then return to the starting line carrying the ball while jumping the hurdles. Once he or she crosses the starting line, the next dog takes off. The goal is to be the fastest team without penalties. Some penalties include dropping the ball or a dog taking off down the course before his or her teammate crosses the starting line.
3. Running with your dog
Running with your dog is like multitasking — you and your four-legged athlete get to enjoy the great outdoors while increasing stamina and strengthen muscles. Dr. Lucy Spelman, a renowned veterinarian, educator, and author on domestic and wildlife animals, agrees that running with your dog is a great activity with one caveat: “Remember it’s your dog’s outing. You should be willing to stop when the dog wants to stop — to sniff and greet other dogs and people — even if that slows you down.”
2. Play Fetch
A simple game of fetch can be all that is needed for your dog’s daily exercise fix. Fetch is easy to squeeze into busy schedules, as there is no need to travel far to fit in a game. A close-by park or backyard works great and on rainy days, fetch can be an indoor sport, played from the comfort of your couch.
1. Playing with other dogs
The best forms of exercise for any animal are the activities they would naturally do. For dogs, playing with other dogs fits that definition. Dr. Spelman notes, “If you watch a group of dogs in this setting, they create their own games and expend their extra energy they way they choose.”