Just like humans, some dogs are more energetic than others. Perhaps your own dog is one of these pooches with seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm. You may even call your dog hyperactive. It may even drive you a little crazy at times and that’s understandable. But is your dog truly hyperactive, or are they just high-energy? While at first, it may seem that these two terms are mutually exclusive, they in fact mean two very different things and require different remedies to help ease the situation and make your energetic dog more calm.What is Hyperactivity?
Essentially the dog version of Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD), hyperactivity is also known as hyperkinesis.
Symptoms of hyperactivity include:
Frantic activity
Extremely short attention span
Extremely impulsive
High degree of attention seeking behaviour
Unable to focus on a single task
Distracted very easily
Sensitive to sudden changes
Overreacting to the presence of a new person or other animal
Struggle to adjust to new stimulus
Struggle with repetitive tasks
Become bored very easily
Destructive
Emotionally unstable
Cannot handle being physically restrained
If your dog displays some of these symptoms there may be a chance that they are hyperactive. Just like humans with ADHD, your dog may benefit from taking stimulants to help them focus and pay attention. Speak to your vet about your options.
High-energy dogs
Unlike hyperactive dogs, high-energy pooches are excellent at quickly focusing on a single task and this is a great way of knowing whether your dog is hyperactive or just high-energy. High-energy dogs, while they can be unruly, are able to control their behaviour once they have been properly taught.
Sporting and hunting breeds of dogs have a genetic predisposition to being high-energy.
Other reasons for high-energy in dogs include:
Lack of proper exercise
Lack of socialisation
Owners not meeting their particular breed of dog’s needs or understanding their behaviour
Poor breeding and socialisation as a puppy
Lack of training and obedience.
How to help a high-energy dog
Provide more training
Play interactive games
Teach new tricks
Provide more exercise
Rotate their toys
Increase their socialisation by introducing them to new people, places and other dogs
