I've got a 2 year old golden retriever who is currently driving me to distraction. Today my sister and I spent 4 hours walking on the beach, throwing the ball enough so that my arm hurts, we went miles. My older golden retriever is shattered, so tired that we had to lift him back into the car as he didn't have the energy to do it himself (he is 6years old). The 2 year old was still running like a loon at this point, jumped into the car no problem and when we got him home bounced round the yard like an idiot. now he is used to having quite a bit of exercise (an hour in the morning, 2 hours in the evening and free run of approx 4 acres of land during the day) but this is getting excessive. Help!!
2008-12-25T17:33:37Z
just to say he is a lovely dog in every other way and no way are we ever going to get rid of him. We will find a way to cope with this energy.
BonBonMom2008-12-25T17:37:35Z
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A few things come to my mind what you could do... Do you have doggy daycare in your neighbourhood. I have a 6 mths old Newfie puppy and he goes to daycare couple days a week. It's a no cage daycare, 30000 sq.ft of outdoor...so he can wrestle, chase, sniff, etc. Everyday he comes home from daycare, he is so pooped out, he does not even want to go for our night walk.
Now, it's important to teach a dog what and when is appropriate because you are the pack leader and you dictate when to play. So first, if I were you, I would ask myself first "am I the pack leader" in my dog's mind. If you are, the rest is easy. There is a command you can teach your dog, either "go mat" or "go to bed". Basically, lure him to his bed/resting place, say "go mat", make him get down (no verbal, only the hand signal for Down), then yes and reward...reward is usually something he can chew for a while (I use the Merrick bully stick). My trainer has a three year old PitBull named Bubble. Bubble is so well trained that the moment she said "go to bed", he will walk to his bed no matter what.
Also to teach your dog you dictate when and what. Next time he bugs you to play with him, just ignore him. If he acts crazy (jumping and nipping), gives him timeout. There is a very easy (and humane) way my trainer taught me to give timeout. Have a leash in each floor. For timeout, attach the leash to his collar and then loop the handle part to the door knob inside...(ie let's say you use the washroom door, your dog will stay outside of the washroom door and the handle is looped inside the washroom). Close the door, the door will keep the leash in place so no matter how much he pulls, he can't damage the door. First your dog will act crazy, but totally ignore him. The moment he calms down and sits down (in the beginning I will help him a bit by giving a sit hand signal), you walk toward him but the moment he gets up, you take two steps backward and only move forward if he sits down again. Eventually, your dog will learn the only way he gets released is when he is calm. This way, you are teaching your dog, only you can make a decision when to play with him. He is two years old, the amount of exercise you give him is more than enough. Also instead of playing balls, I will also substitute some time by walking him. In nature, dogs walk for miles. That's in their genetics. Is he a puller/jumper when you walk him? If so, get a gentle leader/haltie collar. Make him walk behind you and beside you, the moment he pulls, pull him back. Eventually, he knows the only way he can move forward is being a good boy and follow the leader.
Add some brain games to his current exercise routine.
Providing mental stimulation will help tire him out. Its kind of like when you drive a long distance. You aren't physically exerting yourself, but when you get to your destination you feel tired, its because of all the concentrating you had to do on the road.
Kongs, and Buster Cubes are great interactive toys that make the dog think. He's gotta figure out how to get the food out. You can also use clicker training to free shape some cool behaviors. Your dog has to figure out what'll make you click.
If I don't provide some mental stimulation everyday for my mali, she'd bounce off the walls non stop. So in addition to free play in the yard where she runs, wrestles, fetches, etc with my lab, we also have at least half an hour of training everyday to work her brain.
Try getting him to swim! You can make him play water fetch by throwing toys in water that float. =)
If you don't think you can take it, it wouldn't be fair to keep this dog. This sounds like a dog that needs to be put to work, or be part of a VERY active family. Adopt him out as a last resort.
You need to teach the dog about quiet time. Give him something to do while lying down, like a bone to chew on. He doesn't have an off switch and you need to teach him how to turn off and relax. Another thing you can do is lie down with him and just pet him in a relaxed tone. You need to make sure that you are relaxed/calm.
Maybe he has hyperthyroidism. Maybe he's allergic to an ingredient in his dog food--food coloring? Red food color has been shown to create ADD-like behavior in humans.
You DID throw the fetch in the water? Maneuvering in the water takes a lot of energy...