Let me preface by saying that this is not directed at anyone. There are a couple active topics that have folks dealing with a problem along these lines. While those threads did raise this question with me, this post is not meant to be personal.

When is enough, enough?

I've asked that question before, I think more than once, when trying to get a handle on my dogs excess energy.

After reading about other's dogs, I know that mine is FAR from the highest of energy dogs. 1 to 10 I'd give him a 7. Sounds like there are some sho nuff 11's on this board.:grinThis isn't taking into account sled dogs, which I would put off the chart at 20 on my scale of 1 to 10.)

There are a lot of people that say they HAVE to actively exercise or play with their dog's every waking moment they are together. The dog has to be given the owners attention from sun up to sun down. That they really have no time for anything else in their day because their dogs needs all their time.

It really sounds like these people give up their life for their dogs. Or are the dog's dictating the owner's life?

Given the chance I know that Turbo would readily exercise or play the entire day and into the night. Still, I'm the boss. I know that he gets to have a life outside of sleeping in the house. I don't go on walks for him, ride my bike for him, throw the frisbee for him.....he goes on walks with me, goes on runs with me, brings the frisbee to me when I throw it.

I realize that the last paragraph might be a part of people's lives they have to change. Where I bought a high energy dog because I wanted to do stuff, other people might not have known what they were getting into and had to change their lifestyle a little to accomodate their surprise crazy dog that they did not expect. "My last lab slept in the front yard, off leash, and barely moved!!! What the hell is wrong with this one!!!"

But where is that line? Are there dogs that it would be cruel to expect them to let you sit down? Would it be cruel to ask the highest of drive sport or working dog to not bug you after the 5 mile run that y'all went on after you got home from work?

This is a legit question. I wonder if some of this is not leadership and telling a dog "No, enough." Or if I really have no idea and Turbo is really a total couch 'tater.

 Quote:

But where is that line? Are there dogs that it would be cruel to expect them to let you sit down? Would it be cruel to ask the highest of drive sport or working dog to not bug you after the 5 mile run that y'all went on after you got home from work?

That's what the crate's for...

I agree with you, (that enough is enough) but I have it easy; Chula is what I would describe as a medium energy dog and she settles well in the house. On those rare occasions she doesn't settle well (and I've met her minimum RDA for exercise), she goes in the crate.

This won't directly address 90% of the question, but the mis-math of energy levels between owner and dog is a potentially huge problem.

Yes, Cesar Millan has said it (in case it sounds familiar), but so has anyone who has ever been asked to the house of an "environment-destructive and self-destructive nut-dog" to find nothing more than a couch-potato owner and a high-energy dog.

And this is definitely not happening: I know that he gets to have a life outside of sleeping in the house. I don't go on walks for him, ride my bike for him, throw the frisbee for him.....he goes on walks with me, goes on runs with me, brings the frisbee to me when I throw it.

I guess I am saying that if the owners don't naturally match their dogs' energy levels, then yes: is is their responsibility to see that the dogs are able to drain that frustrated energy.

I think that the choice of a companion dog should have that factor in the top three: matching "drive."

JMHO.

 Quote: connie sutherland

This won't directly address 90% of the question, but the mis-math of energy levels between owner and dog is a potentially huge problem.

I think that the choice of a companion dog should have that factor in the top three: matching "drive."
JMHO.

I think you hit you hit the nail on the head...(and there's a good reason my dog is 'medium energy'... )

In those cases where the human can no longer keep up with or want to keep up with the exercise for the day, maybe a walk on a treadmill would be in order ?

It seems to me that good and regular interaction with the dog from the human in terms of some form of mutually agreeable exercise is needed - for bonding purposes and just plain old fun.

When there is excess energy remaining in the beastie the treadmill seems like a good idea to help expend that energy.

JM2C

And Lucy is a potato...unless I want to go walking, then she is ready...then she is a potato...
I won't have a high energy dog because it is unfair to them to NOT be able to meet their NEEDS not their desires.

NEEDS yes, shame on anyone who has a dog that is high energy and intelligence who doesn't give them that outlet, but also shame on the owner who constantly gives the dog what it WANTS without teaching it self discipline. (And, Hambone does have self control or I wouldn't have a house around my head...but that took WORK of many months since puppy and reinforcing over the many years we have been partners.)



OH...I shouldn't have posted probably, but what the heck.

I love "fetch" because of the fun and companionship, while I don't even have to be standing up. LOL!

Guess which end of the physical-energy scale I hover at?

 Quote: lynne barrows

That's what the crate's for...

Or the treadmill!

5 mile run and mine are still hyper/bouncy/excitable/bored? Up on the treadmill you get, and I get a break! (interestingly enough, I never have this issue after a mountain bike ride )

Otherwise, as long as I know that I've done my part (letting my pups join me in MY outdoor activities ), I don't feel guilty telling everyone "that's it, settle down".

 Quote: kacie hackett

... Otherwise, as long as I know that I've done my part (letting my pups join me in MY outdoor activities ), I don't feel guilty telling everyone "that's it, settle down".

Absolutely.

In the instances I was thinking about, there were no outdoor owner-activities for the dog to join.

Michael, I think this is a great topic.

I agree that there are a whole lot of people that don't take the INDIVIDUAL dog's drive/energy level/temperament into consideration when selecting a dog.

Picking a puppy isn't an exact science, but working with a breeder that knows how to evaluate a litter and is spending lots of quality time actively socializing the litter and watching which ones display which traits---that's how to end up with a dog that matches your needs. When asked, the one piece of advice I give people looking for a puppy is: Don't set out trying to find the right puppy....find the right breeder. Then let them pick the puppy.