[Beki659]

Well, if anybody remembers, I have the most charming little hound mix. she's such a wonderful dog, but she wants to play, C O N S T A N T L Y.

I feel horrible saying this, but she wasn't what I pictured, but obviously since I did promise her a home, she isn't going anywhere.
When I went looking for a dog to live with me in my little apartment, I wanted something calm and sweet.
When I met Charlee, she literally had herself plastered to the floor. All she would do was crawl over to me to get rubbed. Of course, she had me the first minute.
BUT, then I got home, and she did a 180. Not as in "oh she got feeling better and happier so she's got more energy now", Im talking tearing around my living room at light speed, playing at the dog park for HOURS and hours on end with no end to her energy in sight, going on hour long walks and runs without her getting tired out at all, and literally, quite literally, doing back flips all over my apartment when it was time to go outside.

So... Im only one person. Im starting to feel reallllllly bad about this situation, because I know how much she wants to be playing! But Ive got work I have to do. I wish I had a back yard, but that wont be possible for probably another two or three years.

Does anybody have any brilliant ideas on how to keep a speed demon like her occupied? I mean, right now, she's on the couch looking like she hates the world. I do training with her every night, I take her on walks, I let her play with dogs when they come by, and I spend a lot of time with her, but it just dosent seem like its fair to her. She has SO much energy, and is so smart. When I visit my mom, she is so happy. She gets to play with other dogs constantly.

Ive gone through so many issues with this dummy, I cant believe that this is the thing thats actually making me question my choice of getting her.

 

[TooneyDogs]

Have you had her thryroid checked or talked to your vet about her hyperkinetic activity?
A couple of quick mini tests....when she sits does she seem to have a hard time sitting still for anything more than a few seconds? Does she constantly move from object to object sniffing, investigating or exploring and then moving on? That's hyperkinetic.

 

[Beki659]

I dont think its anything like that?
Yes, she does seem to not want to sit still when I tell her to stay, and she does sniff around everything... but she's also fine with chewing on a bone and hanging out on the couch.
I just feel guilty about asking her to do that as much as I do, because I know she's a very high energy dog

 

[dakotajo]

sounds like your living alot of my life! I too have a very energetic pup. She plays with 1 toy and 1 toy only and has many toys and chewies, I take her for walks too, and she plays with other dogs, and she gets to run off leash. Lately though since her leg has been hurt she can't rough house with her buddy Brutis, but ya, after all this you would think she's be tired but nope she comes home and digs. I'm interested in what others say to about when a dog is bored plus, I can never just sit or lay down without her bugging me and when I tell her to lay down I feel guilty

 

[Beki659]

See she WILL lay down with me and sleep, I just feel so GUILTY!
I feel like she would rather be outside running 300 miles an hour after a squirrel, or playing with a friend.

 

[dakotajo]

just noticed about hyperkinetic activity, what is it???? sounds like Dakota

 

[Beki659]

I think its name pretty much summs it up- hyper= over the top kinetic= movement
Except its a biological malfunction.

 

[TooneyDogs]

High drive and hyper-activity are sometimes hard to distinguish. One activity that hyper-kinetic dogs will engage in when they're not constantly on the move is chewing. Chewing helps to calm themselves down but, doesn't cure/fix the underlying problem.
High drive is full tilt/all out effort with high intensity but, then they crash and burn without the constant movement or restlessness afterward.
Exercise is wonderful but, you can also create an Olympic champion....the exercise demands can become greater and greater. Fortunately, most dogs peter out with just average exercise.

 

[Leroy&Lucy'sMom]

Some activities to keep her busy while you work:
Frozen kong with yogurt some kibble or peanut butter will buy you 15-30 mins.
Put her in a room/crate or stay and hide kibble all over the house, everywhere. Tell her to "find" (you might have to teach her at first). Remember to puppy proof your house first! I do this with my dogs and they LOVE the mental and physical stimulation of running around looking for food. This will keep her busy for 15-30 mins depending on how good at finding she is.
If you can afford it hire a dog walker or bring her to a doggy daycare a few days a week to give you a break and tire her out. Good luck with everything!

 

[dakotajo]

I've always joked that this pup needs Ritalin. She can go and go and go even with a sore leg, she might be a little slower but she's still like this. It's funny sometimes when you know she is trying so hard to control herself. She has never been the type of dog to sit and be still, when she sits next to us for down time she is always wanting us to touch her or bringing her toy so we will play, and when we don't she paces and wants outside. She does NOT nap in the day, she'll lay down then all of a sudden bolt up and run to see what's going on. At night and only at night is when we all rest, then she's out and you have to move her out the way if she's laying in the way of the door. I've noticed to that she doesn't drink much for as much as she moves. She acts like this at the vets office and you would think they would say something, I mean when we go in there we sure make our presence known! She has no attention span for a Kong for more than 5 min. even with a treat inside. She yanks branches off our bushes and chews and chews and digs and this is right after an hour walk.
Sorry if I took over your post. This is really interesting or do you think I'm jumping the gun so to speak?

 

[TooneyDogs]

I've noticed to that she doesn't drink much for as much as she moves. This is really interesting or do you think I'm jumping the gun so to speak?

No, you're not. That's another sign...lower than normal water intake and coupled with higher than normal heart and respiration rates and the rest of it, I would say it's a distinct possibility but, only your vet can really tell you.

 

[dakotajo]

hmm, I'm thinking it's worth taking her in. She has been like this since day one the only difference is she had bladder infections then so she was drinking alot but now I keep asking her "gee your panting like crazy why don't you drink some water" I know puppies are very active but she seems over the moon! I do dread the vets again cause it's a big fiasco and last time she nose bunted a lady in the butt, in a friendly way of course. It's worth a shot, my SO thinks I worry too much but I really feel she is way to energized, another thing is when she's going #2 and I go outside she won't even finish, she has to run and see me, and with her peeing, she can't stay in one spot and go she has to keep walking. I know she's still young but at 9 months old you would think she would go to the bathroom without interrupting herself to see what we are doing

 

[Keechak]

my female walks while she pees and she isn't overly hyper.

 

[Sloth]

Beki, I know exactly how you feel. I also used to live in a little apartment, and got a little puppy. I'm not sure if I will ever get a puppy again. She needed CONSTANT attention when she was awake. I'd take her for long walks, play with her until *I* grew tired, but she never, ever reached a point where she seemed "satisfied" with all the attention. For months, I couldn't do ANYTHING without having to wait until she finally fell asleep. I was so exhausted and frustrated. I couldn't do any of the things I used to enjoy doing, unless I would wait until she finally fell asleep for half an hour. Watching a movie, reading a book, paying bills, EATING - it was just ridiculous.

Finally, I realized that a dog has to be able to amuse itself, to function by itself, or it will most likely NEVER be a good pet. I'd train her, take her for a walk, and play with her. When I knew she had gotten enough exercise and play (and I think *you* have to determine this, not the dog), I sat down with a book. I wouldn't completely ignore her, I'd pet her when she came near and invite her to sit on my lap, but I also made it clear that I wasn't going to play games with her right now. It bothered her at first, but eventually she would either sigh and sit on my lap, or go chew one of her toys. When I had done what I needed to do, I'd play with her some more.

So all I'm trying to say is that you might feel guilty when you're not playing with your tireless puppy 24/7, but in the end it's necessary to show them that you're not a big tireless toy yourself...I think it'll lead to a happier dog in the long run, and certainly a better companion.

 

[Beki659]

Id just like to thank you guys for all the posts! I didnt see that this topic had any new ones.
It turned out that at the same time I was having this problem, a friend of the family told me that she was going to re-home her little mix. I met him and fell in love. I decided to bring him home.
Since he's been here, charlee has been so happy. She goes potty faster because she knows that she will get to play inside too. She gets exercise playing with the new guy, and he gets some too, and he NEEDS it, being so pudgy as he is. This dog is so, so easy. He's a little furball blessing. I take them on walks together, and they just trot along and make it such a fun experience for me as well as them.
After playing about 30 minutes, they are asleep on the couch, and Im working in peace!