How to Train a High-Energy Dog

Your high-energy dog tears through the house, jumps on people and is constantly in motion. Obedience training him gives you an ability to control him, but wearing your dog out is the key to keeping his attention long enough to teach him.

Things You'll Need

  • Ball
  • Clicker
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tire your high-energy dog out. Take him to the park and allow him to run in a safe, closed-in area. Throw a ball. Keep him hyped up and excited.

    • 2

      Clicker condition your dog. Click the clicker, and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat 20 times. On the 21st time, click and watch your dog. If she looks around for a treat, your job is done. If she looks confused, click and treat for another 20 repetitions.

    • 3

      Mark behaviors you approve of with a click. When your dog sits on her own, click and treat. If she's lying quietly, click and treat. The click tells your high-energy dog exactly what she did correctly, so that she can repeat the behavior.

    • 4

      Add commands to the behaviors. As you notice your dog sitting, tell him "sit," click and treat. When you notice him lying down, tell him "down," click and treat.

    • 5

      Lengthen the time between the click and the treat to teach "stay." Click, pause for two seconds, then treat. Lengthen the stay by a second or so each day. The short increases ensure that your high-energy dog doesn't get overwhelmed and give up.

    • 6

      Train "come" by always ensuring that coming to you is a happy event. Always have a toy or treat to offer once your dog arrives. Do not bait the dog into coming to you. Keep your voice and body language happy, and your high-energy dog will always bound toward you with exuberance.