Hi,

Looking for some suggestions. I have 3 GS dogs 7 yrs, 2 yrs and my crazy pup sampson who is 8 months. I leave them all outside in the back yard while I'm at work during the day. When I come home at night, it's like open the back door, brace yourself and hold on tight because here they come!! the 2 older ones are not bad, they are excited but don't go wild like sampson. He jumps all over me and bites my coat & arms then runs over to the couch and jumps all over that and knocks stuff off the sofa table thats behind it, jumps on the other dogs, grabs shoes, etc. Then eventually he settles down but theres gotta be something I can do for the first minutes when he comes in. He gets this excited when family comes over too but I put him on a pinch and leash now because I just could not control him. I was really hoping he would "outgrow" it but it's getting obvious he's not going to anytime soon if at all. Never had a pup with this much energy before, but I guess there all different!!

kathy

Do you let them in one at a time, with each dog sitting before entering the door?

Ideally, too, can they have their structured exercise at that time?

No, I dont, do you think that would control his energy? I have my doubts BUT I would be willing to try. Note:When i take them for a walk I make them sit before letting them out the door.

so you mean as far as structured exercise - when I get home, I should go outside before letting them in and have play time with them before letting them in the house?

 Quote: Kathy West

No, I dont, do you think that would control his energy? I have my doubts BUT I would be willing to try. Note:When i take them for a walk I make them sit before letting them out the door.

Not so much control his energy as lower his excitement. Sitting before entering -- obedience coupled with not dashing in......

 Quote: Kathy West

so you mean as far as structured exercise - when I get home, I should go outside before letting them in and have play time with them before letting them in the house?

If you could either walk them or give them all a chance to burn off some fetch energy.... and then sit before coming in ....

I would add that short motivational basic ob sessions also takes the manic energy down a peg (although they still need to burn off physical energy), but you may find that hard to do with all three. Have you ever tried that? Working with one for a short session while the others watch?

If they are like many dogs, they probably spend the day lolling around and napping. A frolic in the yard is what many owners picture, but not what really happens. The yard is still the same old space every day, after all.

If you came home and worked off some of that frustrated energy and (if possible) mental energy too, and then directed each one to sit before entering, I believe that the whole exitement level would change.

If you can grab a pocketful of tiny treats and head outside, yes -- I do think you will change the whole routine.

thanks for the advice - I will definitely try it - I have tried training one dog with the other 2 in the outside kennel watching and they bark and act all frustrated, would it be better to maybe put the other 2 in the house while I train? I am going out for some fetch and fun time tonight when I get home before letting them in to see how that works, then alittle OB sesssion for each. I always had images of the dogs playing all day together outside but I bet your right and they just lay around and lounge all day, so they need to get rid of that energy somehow

I keep a leash on my 5 yr old Boxer. She is my high energy "problem child" I feel like I can stop the progression of excitment with a leash. Ava (boxer) hates it when in trouble so rather than scold her I redirect her attention. Mostly with basic commands but she also like a good stick.(to chase).

My sister has a large yard but failed to realize her dog isn't good at exerciseing himself. Your situation might be better with multiple dogs. They may play together but try long walks/runs. It is great for also keeping you established as their leader. Adolesence is my least fovorite time.

I would have to agree with Connie's advice. Sounds like the pup has a case of the"Zoomies" and is just getting overly excited at having you home and is using that as an outlet to get the jimmie's out of his system

You could try greeting them outside before even allowing them in the house. But i think possibly letting the pup run around outside to work off a bit of his energy before allowing him in will help. He will grow out of it though, more than likely.

As someone else pointed out, its doubtful that the dogs do much in the backyard while you're away. Mostly sleeping Im sure, so he's got a lot of pent up energy looking for an outlet.

Wendy

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

If you can grab a pocketful of tiny treats and head outside, yes -- I do think you will change the whole routine.

This works wonders for my dog, Buddy isn't left outside all day nor is he alone but when I get home from work he goes crazy with excitment. I have found that if I show him the treat soon as I walk through the door and ask him to sit or something, he forgets how excited he is and calms right down. It's like an instant off switch and then he greets me quietly - works for me

I get the same thing here with the springer pup. I've learned to come in the door with my hands unoccupied and immediately saying "SIT!" and enforcing the command with him while I greet him. It seems to help a bit with the jumping, tumbling over the furniture and zooming through the house thing which my other dogs do not like at all and it gets them upset. If he doesn't listen he is put on his leash until he settles down and I can change cloths and then give him the exercise he obviously needs at that time. They are such a handful during this teenage time!

Dear Kathy: I didn't have time to read all the posts, so maybe someone has suggested this already.
I wouldn't just open the door and let them all in at once. Maybe you could go outside shut the door behind you and then put his leash on. Are the older ones trained? They could be good examples to your pup. Have them all sit before entering. Walk him in on the leash. I know you will probably get malled when you try and put the leash on because he is so excited, but I would want to make the point to your pup that inside is not where we go crazy. Maybe even play with all you dogs for a few minutes outside before you bring them in?
I have a 6 month old terrior, he is the same way, everything is done with mass amounts of excitement. So, I have to make sure he sits before he goes out, sits before the door is open to come back in, and sits to take off his leash. If he starts to mall me, and he tries, I will say no, sit. He is doing better.
Maybe this will help you , it has helped me. Of course whenever your pup is calm, praise, praise, reward, reward.
Their energy is amazing isn't it? The joy abounds! What characters!
God bless you