How to give your puppy appropriate energy outlets
How to provide natural energy outlets for your puppy
What our puppies experience early in life influences how they behave now and as adult dogs. This is why it is important to socialise your puppy early. However, your dog’s genetic make up also plays a big role in determining how they behave.
Some behaviours are reinforced because they lead to favourable outcomes for your puppy. Those are learned behaviours. Other behaviours make our puppies feel good because they have been bred over hundreds of years to enjoy these activities. These are naturally rewarding behaviours. Often dogs bred for particular purposes will find similar things enjoyable.
Outlets for natural behaviours prevent frustration
If your puppy is genetically geared up to enjoy something, it is important that we give them an outlet for this. This will prevent frustration and set them up for success day to day. We need to fulfil their needs on a deep level to ensure their wellbeing and happiness.
Chasing
If you have a dog that has been bred to chase, for example sighthounds, your puppy will likely need an outlet for that drive to chase so that they don’t become increasingly frustrated or start chasing inappropriately. Chasing you in games of tug, playing fetch, and moving treat balls are great options.
Digging
Many puppies love to dig. Terriers, who are bred to search for small rodents, are passionate diggers. Great outlets for digging include sand pits with buried treasure, paddling pools or a designated digging zone in the garden.
Herding
Herding breeds want to controll movement. If your dog is even partially a Shepard or Border Collie than controlling movement is a natural reward for your dog. Herders love to stop and start movement. Outlets such as herding ball games and human tag are great.
Sniffing
Most puppies love to use their nose and games that involve sniffing, such as snuffle mats or taking them on a sniffari, are great ways to harness this natural enjoyment of sniffing.
Grabbing
Some puppies including bully breeds, find grabbing and mouthing really rewarding. Giving them a task where they can enjoy using their mouth is perfect as an outlet. You could teach them to bring in the newspaper or enjoy playing tug together. Remember to let your puppy win the toy often!
Fetching
Retrievers and other gundogs LOVE to hold things in their mouth and show them off to you. Encourage them to greet you with a toy in their mouth and play show and tell, where your puppy approaches you with an object in mouth and you fuss them before running off for them to follow again.
Shredding
Some puppies love to shred things. To ensure this doesn’t lead to destructive behaviour in the home, provide outlets like cardboard boxes with treats in, shredded paper or egg cartons that your puppy can enjoy shredding.
By giving your puppy outlets for their natural behaviour you are setting them up for success every day.
Do you have a very energetic puppy? If you want to learn more or if you feel you need help, text or email me!
barbara@namibdogtraining.com
