9 Creative Tips for burning Energy!

Its no secret that dogs tend to get a little naughty if they aren't venting their energy in a productive manner! Whether its chewing, barking, digging, or doing any other undesired behaviors. When dogs-specifically younger- get bored they really let you know it! Springers are hunting dogs by nature, so they were bred to work tirelessly. It is important to put that energy to work and find ways that you enjoy doing it as well! It can really be a bonding experience for you and your pup!

-Take them for a walk, hike or bike ride even-if your dog is well mannered! Springers love to be with their people, finding activities that you can do together will be fun!! And it will also help your pup burn his energy!

-Teach them to fetch! This is a quick way to keep them moving. In most cases you will need to master the art of retrieving first, and that can be a task with an ornery springer! Positive reinforcement when they bring the object back and maybe even a treat will be enough encouragement. If these things do not work I would try using a long training lead. Gives them the freedom to run and the option to make his/her own decision to come back. If they choose not to come back to you, you slowly give them less and less freedom until they come back to you, at that point you reward them.

-Play hide and seek! This is a fun one! This also helps them with recall. Springers in general are curious of their surroundings, sometimes getting their attention can be tricky if there are a lot of scents in the air. Take off running in the other direction, make sure they see you. Hide and wait for them to find you! -of course make sure he/she is actively looking for you. Once they find you reward them with positive reinforcement.

-Let them try swimming! Swimming is a great exercise for burning energy. Throw something in to see if they will retrieve it. Walk along side the water to see if they will take a dip! Not all dogs enjoy it, but on a hot summer day our dogs sure love the water!

-Schedule pet friendly play dates! Dogs love the company of other dogs, they can chase each other and play for hours! You can do this in a back yard or even a dog park under supervision. You could also send your dog to doggy daycare to get some healthy socialization in!

-INDOOR/OUTDOOR- basic obedience! People often underestimate the power of simple obedience training, anything that can tire the mind can indeed tire the dog as well! Sit, Stay, Lay Down, Roll Over, Shake! Teach them to bring you objects like toys or slippers.

-INDOOR/OUTDOOR- Encourage them to scavenge! Toss a treat across the floor and tell them to find it. This gets their brain and nose working. You could eventually hide treats to have your dog find them!

-INDOOR/OUTDOOR-Create an indoor obedience course. You can use chairs to weave through, a broomstick to jump over, a blanket tunnel to go through. This gets their mind working and also helps them build confidence in themselves. Teach them to watch your hands for commands.

-INDOOR/OUTDOOR- Play games! Tug of war. Even tying a soft toy to a remote control car and encouraging your pup to chase it! Playing fetch up or down the stairs, giving that the stairs are not easy to slip on!

Nigel- Bella/Milo