Do they EVER calm down?

[Macies Mom]

Macie will be 4 yrs old soon and she is just as hyper and energetic, if not even more so now, than as a pup.

She is great if I let her stay inside with us. But since I have the 2 malts, I have to be really careful and supervise play time, because of the size difference.

If I let her out into the backyard, she will do nothing but run, she has her own figure 8 dirt track that she has successfully created in the backyard. She barks at nothing most of the time.

I am not quite sure what to do at this point. I know I can't let her have free reign of the backyard, my good half- where the pool is- she poops it all up! I want to fix out yard, the side that looks like a barren beach. I am thinking a fenced pen area for Macie when she can't be inside. The malts I have a covered xpen for and a crate for Macie when she is inside and can't be supervised.

How do I wear out some of that hyperactivity? This is why I am thinking agility and obedieance. She is very smart and all I have to do is show her a treat and she will do the sit, down, roll over in a flash, all without command!

 

[HopeShelties]

I think that isn't necessarily hyperactivity so much as boredom when she's outside. When dogs are left to their own devices outside with nothing to entertain them, they are likely to create entertainment of their own whether you like it or not. That she's good in the house, and is only like this when out tells me even more so that it is boredom, and not that she is just a hyper dog.

 

[SheltieChe]

I have 12lbs sheltie and 40lbs sheltie both boys and they do great together.
I do not think size is the problem. Sure it took them couple of weeks to learn how to work around their differences while Che and Sammy/ 30lbs/ play rough initially I had to monitor but it did not take long for Leo to figure out how far away he should stay once the play gets too rough for his liking and how much he can initiate his own play safely.
Agree with HopeShelties- barking at nothing all the time is sign of boredom. Shelties by their natures want to be full memebers of the family and can not be delegated to back yard to play on their own.
I am sure just about any activity you start with your pup will be appreciated, even if you do structured walks in addition to letting her run in the yard.

 

[ChargerOnDavins]

Most people ask these questions but they are over-complicating the situation. Walk the dog a few miles a day, or at least one. Shelties are an active breed, and at four years old I wouldn't expect this behavior to go away without you increasing the amount of exercise she receives. It is our responsibility as dog owners to give them what they need.

I have four shelties, and the three that are older (not my puppy) calmed down around 2.5-3 years of age. They do, however enjoy regular walks, particularly in the spring, summer, and fall months. In the winter, I provide them with playtime via toys. Even without exercise, my dogs aren't very hyper (except for the pup).

Good luck with your hyper dog! Agility training is an excellent idea, by the way!