How to Train a Hyper Puppy

So, you've done your research and, most important, you've found that perfect puppy. You've brought your new addition into your home, and you now think you've bitten off more than you can chew.



Your new, adorable little bundle of joy is a hyperactive ball of energy.



Some dogs are predisposed to being high-energy and high maintenance. Bring a border collie or Australian cattle dog into your home, and you're asking for a dog that has more energy than either of you know what to do with. Fortunately, it's possible to train such a high-energy dog in ways that take advantage of their innate characteristics.

Things You'll Need

  • Variety of toys, from chew toys, tug toys, balls, treat cubes
  • Large, fenced backyard
  • Ramps
  • Tunnels
Show More

Instructions

  1. Channel that energy

    • 1
      Introduce your puppy to proper play to help take the edge off his hyperactiveness.

      Exercise your puppy. Training is much easier if your puppy isn't already going 90 miles an hour. Tiring him out first will be a huge help in getting him to focus on you. Playing games, throwing balls for him to fetch, going for walks or letting him play in a cool spray of water from the hose will help to take the edge of a hyperactive nature.

      Playing games and exercising with your puppy will also help build a strong bond and positive relationship. He'll realize that hanging out with you isn't all work, and it'll help make the actual training seem less like a chore.

    • 2
      Group training and socialization is key.

      Enroll in a training course. Once your puppy has had all the necessary vaccinations and can safely be exposed to other dogs and situations without risk of illness, enroll in a training course. Most training courses last eight weeks, and will give you a good background with which to work. Another benefit of group classes is that you will learn how your puppy reacts in small to medium-sized groups, as well as how she will deal with other, unfamiliar dogs.

    • 3
      Once your puppy knows what's coming up next in his day, it'll be easier for him to focus his energy on the right thing.

      Set up a schedule. Like hyper children, hyper puppies need structure. Decide what time you will feed your puppy, when you will take him outside, when you will play with him and what part of the day will be set up for training. Once he grows used to a routine, the set schedule will help him focus on the task at hand, whatever it will be. When he knows what's coming next, he won't be looking for something to amuse himself.

    • 4
      Keep your puppy occupied with toys you want him to play with before he finds his own.

      Keep them busy. A hyperactive puppy's mind is racing just as fast as her body, and it's just as important to keep her mind engaged, too, before she takes it upon herself to start looking for trouble to occupy her. Educational toys are a great way to channel the energy of a hyper puppy and still teach them some healthy fundamentals along the way. Items such as treat-releasing cubes will help teach them determination and problem solving.

    • 5
      A hyper puppy is a happy puppy when he has a job to do.

      Set up an obstacle course. Building your own agility course in the backyard can be a great exercise to share with your puppy. While they shouldn't be jumping high obstacles until their bones are fully developed, ramps, tunnels and cones to weave in and out of can all be utilized as training aids. Not only is setting up such a course good for taking the edge off a puppy's energy, but it also reinforces the bond and communication between puppy and owner.