Is a tired dog a happy dog?

Boredom Busters

We've all heard it before, mantra of dog walkers and dog sports fanatics and just regular dog owners alike — "A tired dog is a happy dog!" A lot of active dog owner culture revolves around the idea of wearing or tiring out the dog — we hike them, run them, throw the ball for hours, take them to daycare and arrange play dates with their friends. And in one sense it's true, because boredom and under stimulation can lead to all kinds of problem behaviors like chewing, digging,  or excessive barking. So providing regular exercise and mental stimulation is hugely important for the well-being and happiness of our dogs, but quality is just as, if not more important than quantity.

Mind Games

Focusing too much just on the physical side of things can end up in a very strong, but not very engaged dog. If you continue to push their physical fitness, you may end up with a dog that starts needing more and more exercise to stay happy. On the other hand, you can inadvertently be pushing their bodies too hard, harming their joints by doing lot's of high impact activities like running, which can take their toll later in life. Try interspersing your physical exercise with brain games and training to keep your dog's mind busy. Puzzles and games can help your dog burn off energy just as much as a run!

So how much is too much?

Dogs need about 12-14 hours of rest a day,  more for puppies and older dogs. A dog that is not well rested, much like children, or even like myself, can become grouchy and irritable both with other dogs or even with people. They can be lethargic or slow to respond to cues, or sometimes they may try and hide out. They are also more likely to be sensitive about their space or to lash out or snap. If you find yourself constantly needing to run your dog in order to get them to conk out, there may also be underlying issues like anxiety, or your dog simply may not know how to relax. Teaching your dog to settle and chill out is a great skill to have. Even something as simple as providing them with a long lasting chew like a bully stick or a peanut butter bone is a great way to have a dog relax and spend some quiet time.

The Daycare Dilemma

Doggy daycare is an awesome option for social, active dogs. But even a half day can be pretty taxing, especially since most dogs don't know how to relax around other dogs, at least initially. Five solid hours of social interaction and play can be exhausting, but if a pup doesn't have the skills to lay down and take a nap, they could end up over doing it. I do spend a lot of time reinforcing the dogs for calm, relaxed behaviors in one another's presence, and many of the regular pups start to pick up on a healthy rhythm of play and rest, but not all daycare centers work on those kinds of behaviors. Whether you're bringing your dog here, or to another daycare, monitor your dog's behavior for over-exhaustion to see if your dog should be reducing the length of their visits or the number of visits they have per week.