Are you wondering how to tire out your puppy, which seems to have an endless supply of energy and curiosity?
You’re not alone.
Some owners are often overwhelmed by the amount of energy a small puppy can have.
They feel lost what to do with Puffy or how to train her.
But don’t worry, because I’ve got you covered.
Today we’re going to talk about all the tricks you can use to tire your pooch, so keep on reading.
How to tire out your puppy
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Puppies are energetic balls of fur by nature. They need a way to unwind, or they are going to cause a lot of damage around the house.
Unfortunately, we don’t always have the time or the energy to deal with them and provide the necessary amount of exercise.
So, here are some tricks you can use to make sure that your pooch is too tired to get into trouble during the night. You can also use them if you have leave your puppy alone for the day.
#1 Set up a puppy date
As much as you try to keep up with your puppy during playtime, you can’t provide the same level of entertainment as another dog.
That’s why one of the easiest ways to tire your puppy is to set up play dates with other pooches.
They will run around the house/yard, “fight,” play, and chase things until they are tired to the bones. What’s more, your only “job” would be to keep an eye on the playing pair.
The excellent thing about play dates is that it helps you in the process of socialization by exposing Puffy to different stimulus.
Of course, you also have to make sure that the other puppies are healthy, especially if you haven’t vaccinated your puppy yet.
#2 Go for short walks
Do not worry if you don’t have the time to go for long walks with your puppy. Several short walks during the day will also do the trick.
In fact, a long walk might be too much for young puppies which mean that you might have to carry Puffy back if she gets too tired.
Experts recommend that you start with two 15 to 20 minutes walks and slowly increase the time. So, take the puppy with you when you have to go to the store or when you’re putting the rubbish out.
I know that some of you might think that jogging will also tire Puffy quickly, but that’s not a good idea yet.
Dog specialists say that jogging might put too much pressure on Puffy’s developing bones and joints.
#3 Play fetch
Do you know which games dogs love the most? Yes, that’s right – fetch.
Small puppies might not get the idea right away, so you’ll probably have to teach them to bring the ball or Frisbee
back.
However, it’s an excellent exercise that requires little effort on your part and gets the puppy moving at his own pace.
Remember that your puppy doesn’t have the endurance of a big dog and that you should stop the game when you see that Puffy is tired.
#4 Try tug of war
Dogs also love tug of war because it gives them a chance to express their instincts. While some people fear that tug of war might lead to aggression, it’s a great game if done right.
The rules are simple:
- Choose a toy designed for tugging
- Teach the drop command or a sign that says clearly playtime is over.
- Stop the game if you see that the dog is getting frustrated or accidentally bites you.
- Allow the puppy to win from time to time to build her confidence.
#5 Don’t forget about toys
Puppies and dogs love toys, but who doesn’t?
So, if you don’t have the time to take your puppy for a walk or to play Frisbee in the backyard, you can use toys to stimulate Puffy mentally and physically.
For example:
- Puzzle toys are a great way to exhaust a dog because Puffy has to figure out how to solve the puzzle to get to the tasty treat inside.
- Hide treats
around the house and let the puppy sniff them out.
- Teach Puffy to chase dog-friendly bubbles
.
#6 Obedience training
Another great way to tire your puppy is obedience training. Every dog needs to learn to obey commands for her own good. So, a puppy is never too young to start obedience training.
What’s more, obedience training is great for engaging Puffy mentally and physically.
Of course, you won’t be teaching Puffy something complicated. Start with “sit,” “down,” and “stay.”
In addition to this, keep the sessions short – a couple of minutes at most, but have several lessons during the day.
As you can see, tiring a puppy is not so hard as you’ve probably imagined it.
You can experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t.
Just remember to look for signs that your little one is getting too tired such as panting or refusing to walk.
What do you think about these tips on how to tire out your puppy? How do you do it? Share your advice in the comment section.