corbinam
Moderator
Don't worry about being obsessive--with our pups we were literally taking them out every 15 minutes at first when they were out playing. It made potty training so quick and easy!
Meeting puppy's energy needs
- Thread starter Paige
- Start date
Don't worry about being obsessive--with our pups we were literally taking them out every 15 minutes at first when they were out playing. It made potty training so quick and easy!
I'm in Victoria! Nice to see a fellow BC'er on here!
I went to college in Langley (way back when)-I LOVED BC...and I spent many weekends with kids from Victoria-so pretty there!!! Only 1/2 Canadian, but I think it is such pretty country.
I hear you about puppy energy! I've heard it's not great for their joints to have a ton of exercise as puppies, but tell that to my little guy! He'll literally run circles around the yard super fast, he plays with our neighbors dogs through the fence and runs up and down it, tosses his own toys in the air and chases them, and of course runs after the cat - much to the cat's chagrin. 
He gets one walk a day now - sometimes two. We usually go to a field and then let him off leash for a bit. But he could keep going for a long time if we let him.
He gets one walk a day now - sometimes two. We usually go to a field and then let him off leash for a bit. But he could keep going for a long time if we let him.
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
It took an incredible amount of time to wear Spirit out as a baby. But what I would do is let her go crazy running around, doing what she wanted to do (safely - the house was puppy proofed), but every 2 hours or so, I would put her back in her xpen in the living room and let her nap is she chose to (and without any stimulation going on, she usually chose to nap). That way she started to learn how to regulate her energy and how to relax and soothe herself as well.
Silaria
Forums Sage
Don't discount the value of mental games to help tire out a pup. People have already mentioned the food dispensing toys where they have to figure out how to get the food out. Basic training, sit, down, play dead, roll over, etc., are also things you can teach your puppy. Notice I didn't include stay in that list; stay is a little much to ask of a 12 week old. I wasn't able to get even a 3 second stay out of my little one until he was closer to 6 or 7 months.
Sure, the at 12 weeks your pups attention span is going to be very short but there is no reason they can't learn these basics. Don't expect them to hold it very long, you may get a second or two, but it's the idea of teaching them and making them think.
Only work with your pup in 5 minute increments right now because that's about all the attention span you get. Some Shelties though, once they realize food is involved, will work longer so you have to be careful not to overdo it.
Sure, the at 12 weeks your pups attention span is going to be very short but there is no reason they can't learn these basics. Don't expect them to hold it very long, you may get a second or two, but it's the idea of teaching them and making them think.
Only work with your pup in 5 minute increments right now because that's about all the attention span you get. Some Shelties though, once they realize food is involved, will work longer so you have to be careful not to overdo it.
Thanks everyone! I'm not going to worry so much about the five minute/month on lead plus free play as additional of course. I'll just go by him and change in play or the frantics indicating nap time. Has been working well the last few days. What surprises me most about him as a puppy is how bouncy he is! Jump jump jump all the time on all fours forwards backward sideways! Can't be good for those little joints but nothing I can do...
Yes, basic training is very important to me. Hmm interesting what you say about stay.. So far he knows sit, down, come, paw, and even stay for about five seconds. Maybe more but I do not dare push it. He is surprisingly good at stay. We play "leave it" too where I'll drop a kibble or treat on the floor and tell him "leave it". He will stare until I say " yes! " and point and devour. We practice basic manners as well (no frantic jumping to get food, "wait" before going through a recently opened door or stepping off a curb, etc). I bought one of the treat balls yesterday and we will try it at lunch today.
Yes, basic training is very important to me. Hmm interesting what you say about stay.. So far he knows sit, down, come, paw, and even stay for about five seconds. Maybe more but I do not dare push it. He is surprisingly good at stay. We play "leave it" too where I'll drop a kibble or treat on the floor and tell him "leave it". He will stare until I say " yes! " and point and devour. We practice basic manners as well (no frantic jumping to get food, "wait" before going through a recently opened door or stepping off a curb, etc). I bought one of the treat balls yesterday and we will try it at lunch today.