Written by Melissa Bussey Silverman, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Puppies are bundles of energy, and they can get into all kinds of shenanigans! The best way to keep your pup out of trouble is to give him things to do. Physical exercise is important, of course, but so is mental exercise. The more you engage your dog’s mind, the more tired he will be and less likely to pace around the house looking for something to get into. This is especially important if you own a high-energy dog or puppy.

Mental enrichment can come in many forms, from training to exploring to play. Teaching tricks and practicing obedience behaviors can be fun and engaging for both of you. Keep it fun, use treats or toys your dog enjoys as rewards, and unleash your creativity! In addition, learning behaviors such as “stay” and “leave it” require self-control, which can tire out young dogs.

Walks and other activities can be very enriching. Did you know that long “sniffy” walks, where the dog sniffs to his heart’s content, will likely chill your dog out more than a longer walk or a jog? Walks in new places and hikes in the woods on a long line are quite stimulating with new sights, smells, sounds, textures, etc. It’s also more interesting for the human! Other activities might include dog sports such as agility or nose work or supervised dog play with friends.

Another way to increase your dog’s enrichment is to utilize food toys — both for meals and during the day to decrease boredom. Puzzles are wonderful mental exercises! The Kong is a popular food toy that can be stuffed with kibble, canned food, peanut butter, etc. (you can even freeze it to increase difficulty). Other toys are designed for dry kibble or treats, and the dog rolls or bounces the toy to get the food out.

Much of your dog’s food should come from training, a food-dispensing toy, or game (like tossing his kibble all around the backyard or living room so that he has to sniff out each piece) to help tire him out mentally. You can make interactive food toys at home by filling a bottle or container with kibble or treats. But, these should only be given with supervision. Ideas include water and 2-liter bottles, plastic or cardboard milk cartons, cardboard boxes, empty paper towel tubes, etc. Just clean up the cardboard afterward!

Dogs need to chew, and they like novelty, so frequently add new chewies and new toys to their toy baskets. Rotate available toys to keep them interesting. You can also play games like fetch, tug, and hide-and-seek or even make up your own games.

Finally, remember that puppies and young dogs need to sleep — a lot! If your pup has been active for two or more hours and is becoming a handful, he may need to go to his crate for a nap. Put him in there with a stuffed Kong to chew on until he falls asleep. The more outlets your pup gets, both physical and mental, the happier he will be. And the happier YOU will be!

About the Author

Melissa “Mel” Bussey Silverman, CDBC, CPDT-KA Mel is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who started Training Tracks in 1998. She has traveled the country studying with the world’s best dog trainers. She runs our Board and Train Program and also specializes in working with fear and dog aggression.

Written by Hannah Garbett

With new puppies come visions of a partner for neighborhood walks, a new playmate for the kids, and a loyal companion to lay at our feet. It can be disappointing and frustrating to realize that puppies aren’t born knowing how to be a well-mannered part of the family. With time and patience, you can help your puppy understand the rules that come with living in a human world.

Having reasonable expectations can go a long way toward helping puppy parents survive the adventure of raising an adolescent dog. Remember that puppies grow up fast! Before you know it, your bouncing baby puppy will be a full-grown best friend.

Puppies and Kids, a Perfect Match?

Kids and puppies seem like a match made in heaven. Often, though, kids and puppies don’t mesh until the puppy is much older. Running and playing kids can look like human squeaky toys to bitey puppies. Kids can be disappointed to learn they can’t play with the puppy every time they want to because puppies need time to sleep and decompress, too. Create clear expectations by setting up specific puppy downtime areas using gates or exercise pens to give everyone some much-needed personal space.

Cuddle Buddy or Baby Shark?

Puppies are so cute! They look like they would make excellent snuggle buddies. Unfortunately, when you want to snuggle, your puppy may be more interested in using your hand as a chew toy. Puppy biting is a totally normal and natural behavior, but that doesn’t make it less painful. With patience and training, puppies can be taught that a hand near them is a cue for calm interactions and learn to direct their biting to more appropriate outlets. This process takes time and lots of management; having realistic expectations can help everyone survive the “baby shark” stage.

Canine Companion or Couch Connoisseur?

Puppies are so small; how much damage could they actually do? Many new puppy parents are surprised when their puppy routinely chooses to chew on furniture and human possessions instead of the plethora of puppy toys scattered around the house. Puppies have a biological need to chew and are indiscriminate when exercising this need. Set them up for success by using gates, exercise pens, and crates to create puppy-proofed areas of your home. Rotating chew toys and using food-stuffed puzzle toys helps create more interest in appropriate chew items and will help you survive puppy teething without too much property damage.

Leash Walks — Tortoise or Hare?

Puppy parents often have visions of long relaxing walks or fast and focused runs with their new furry exercise partner. However, the socialization and exercise needs of puppies are quite different from adult dogs. Don’t expect to cover a lot of ground on your puppy walks; slow and steady is best for puppy socialization. Puppies need positive experiences with the outside world, and sometimes this means just sitting and watching all there is to see! Most puppies learn quickly to follow their owners on leash with positive reinforcement, but they still need time to sniff and explore to learn about the world around them. Lastly, all puppies like to pick things up with their mouths, so it’s important to come prepared with treats and practice lots of “trades” to avoid frustration.

About Hannah Garbett

Hannah is an Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) as well as a Fear Free Certified Dog Trainer. Hannah owns and operates The Proper Puppy, which helps owners live easier, happier lives with their canine family members.