Whether you have a puppy, an older dog, or a hound in between, they’ve gotta get their energy out! If you’re short on time and/or space, there are still great ways to tire out a high-energy pup given the restrictions. Consult with your vet on the appropriate amount of exercise for your dog (which you can measure with your Fi collar!) before immediately embarking on these activities, but with their thumbs up, it’s time to have some quick, tiring fun.
- Stairs hurt, anyone living in a walk-up, multi-story house, or the like, probably has strong legs from using them every day. What you might consider a hassle, dogs will look at as a fun challenge. A race up and down the stairs a few times is a fun, fast way to release some energy - plus it’s healthy for both you and your dog. Try it inside or outside, on or off leash!
- Fetch, especially on an incline. That’s where those stairs come in handy, too. Toss a ball or toy up a set of stairs, and have your dog retrieve starting at the bottom. Fetch never gets old, and it’s a classic for a reason. With this method, you get to do very little, while your dog does quite a lot. Great for exercise before you head out to work or dinner and can’t afford to break a sweat in a clean outfit.
- Hide And Seek (with treats). Hide and seek is fun for anyone, but dogs especially. The blend of mental and physical exercise will wear them out in more ways than one - so hide treats around the living room while your dog is in another room, and let them loose to try and find them all! It stops boredom, doesn’t require a ton of cardio, and it’s hilarious to watch them try and find the treats.
- Bubbles. No, seriously. Teach your dog to chase a bubble, and you’ll never have to go on a run with him again. Even lazier (for you) than fetch, bubble chasing is a great way to tire out a hyper dog. This is an easy game to teach, and your dog might already want to attack bubbles by instinct. Plus, it’s affordable - you can get bubble blowers from the corner store, or even a full-blown, pardon the pun, bubble machine.
- Make meal time a game - they already want food, make ‘em work for it! Of course there are food bowls you can buy that are designed this way specifically, but you can also DIY it! If you have the time to do so, you can also feed him or her in sessions using a Kong and stuffing their kibble or other food inside of it. The navigation of completing their meal will certainly take more energy than having it presented to them in a single bowl.
It’s important that with each of these activities and methods, you switch it up! A routine is great for dogs in some situations, but when it comes to getting their energy out, variety and surprise is key. Never underestimate the importance of regular walks, visits to the dog park, and plenty of free time outdoors. But when you need your dog worn out quickly, refer to these tricks for help.
