Training your puppy is challenging enough, but coping with a dog with excessive energy can only compound the situation.
It is particularly draining after you have been out of your home for some hours of the day, and you return to an animal that literally will not be still.
It is common for your first reaction to be anger.
For a puppy however, whose energy is excessive and constantly excited, anger is the very last emotion that you should display.
As human beings we try to rationalize and understand things.
At times however, it is difficult to know precisely where this bouncy exuberance comes from.
Having said this, the reason may simply be that the animal is bored.
How to Help a Bored Puppy The main thing that a bored dog need is attention.
What kind of attention you ask? Well it really should be in the form of exercise - and as much exercise as practicable.
It has been found that as much as 90% of the time allowing a puppy to sit around in the house with nothing to do accounts for its mischievous behavior.
The lack of action can quickly turn your dog to laziness and this could make it all the more difficult to relax and enjoy the rest of the day.
It can also make training your puppy difficult.
How much activity do they really need? This would depend on the breed of the dog.
Herding or working dogs like Malamutes or Huskies will need a lot more exercise to satisfy their inherent needs.
This would be about 2-3 hours outdoor activity such as walking or running.
Smaller dogs may not need that much of exercise, although some breeds like Terriers that are working dogs, although small, may still have lots of energy.
Dealing with Separation Anxiety Often the over-excitement is a reaction to your leaving and returning home.
To begin with you should not reward your puppy's excitement when you return.
You will only worsen its behavior in the long run.
Rather than giving your dog extra attention when you return home, ignore him and do not allow him to jump on you.
Similarly, teach it to be less demonstrative when you leave home.
This will needs time and lots of patience.
The training can involve you going in and out of the house several times for brief periods, extending the amount of time they successfully stay before you return.
Before you leave you should leave your puppy with a favourite toy and leave them in a place which it is used to.
Calming a Rambunctious Puppy Assuming that your puppy gets enough exercise, the easiest way to calm an over-excited dog that is already getting enough exercise is training a puppy.
You should think extensively of the commands you would be using to push your dog's mental capabilities to the limit.
This should work well to slow them down.
To begin with you should make your puppy realize that you hold the lead role in your household.
You are the alpha leader - this must be clear.
Then you could teach your dog simple tricks such as sitting, staying and being quiet.
The dog will then be so intensely focused on your commands that it will soon forget the source of his excitement and reach a calmer state and be easier to control.
Some breeds being more excitable and perkier than others, not all dogs will completely calm down.
But, if your puppy gets so excited that it infringes on your everyday schedule and activities it may need special help to reduce its exuberance.
In dealing with your dog's behavioral problems and training your puppy, you should remember that you should not hit, scold, or punish it.
You would rather that his natural instincts lead it to want to obey you and learn new things.
Above all make sure that as you and your puppy learn and grow together that the two of you have lots of fun!