By Pia Silvani, CPDT-KA

“Help! I live with the Tasmanian devil!” Some dogs might seize every available opportunity to run, jump, bark, drag you down the street, and act like they haven’t had exercise in two years. “He must have ADHD!” Is the dog exhibiting normal behavior or does he truly suffer from some canine version of attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder? ADHD is frequently diagnosed in children, but can it also affect dogs?  

In some rare cases extreme energetic behavior can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. If your dog exhibits compulsive behaviors, appearing to never tire out until he is literally exhausted, it may be a sign of a physical problem. A trip to your veterinarian is in line.  

Dogs with different temperaments respond differently to reinforcement and punishment and how they are applied or “misapplied.” Dogs lacking in an ability to inhibit behaviors typically choose small, quick rewards; they have a difficult time learning to avoid negative consequences; or may become more aroused and excitable if a reward is present, especially when they cannot have access to it.  

So, how do you know if your dog is out of your control because he is either overactive, under-exercised, or exhibiting emotional arousal at levels above and beyond his threshold, whereby he cannot control himself or make good decisions? Some dogs are hard-wired to spiral into emotional overload even in low-key situations, while some simply need to be taught to keep their emotional thermostat in check through training.  

Dogs need to learn to make good choices and control their impulses. They need to learn to deal with frustration to avoid losing their tempers, throwing a fit or spiraling into a rage and perhaps bite.  

Living with an overly active dog can be exhausting and frustrating to both owner and dog.  

The following are ten tips to help you deal with an overly active dog:  

1. Set your dog up for success. If your dog is easily aroused in a certain context (i.e., front door, running children, or other dogs playing), avoid putting your dog in that setting until he is trained and understands what you expect from him.  
2. Mind Toys. Mind toys are a great way to keep your dog busy while giving him mental stimulation. Dogs were bred to work and think, not sit on the porch on sentry duty waiting for the next “victim.” 
3. Aerobic exercise. Fence running in the backyard while people and/or dogs are passing by is not exercise. It encourages poor behavior. Dogs do not self-exercise. Get your dog out walking, hiking and retrieving for mental and physical stimulation. Sniffing can lower your dog’s heart rate and decreases stress. It’s enriching and energy intensive. 
4. Train his brain. Sign your dog up for a training class or find a new sport to do with your dog. There are tons of canine sports available. Mental stimulation will tire an adolescent dog out more than physical activity. 
5.  Teach rules when playing. Impulse control should be part of all play with humans and with other dogs. Overly aroused dogs can easily spiral up. Observe your dog carefully and get him to relax in a down with treats on the ground to help with decompression. Once he is settled, you can start to play again. 
6.  Respect my space. Grabbing hold of clothing and body parts is unacceptable behavior. Instead, reinforce the dog for remaining away from you during highly aroused situations or reinforce the dog for exhibiting impulse control. Toss treats on the ground to keep his focus on the ground and not on your face. 
7. Don’t keep the dog guessing. Teach your dog what you want, not what you don’t want. If you follow this rule, you will spend very little time becoming frustrated since the dog will understand the rules and the use of punishment will be minimal.  
8.  Avoid punishment.
   • • Provide reinforcement for desired behavior – Make sure you are not reinforcing the dog after he has performed inappropriate behavior. For example, the dog jumps up, you say “off,” the dog gets off, sits, and you reward. You are teaching him to jump and sit.
     • Prevent reinforcement for unwanted behavior – The environment is a great reinforcer to dogs. A peanut butter sandwich on the counter when no one is present is a great environmental reward for the dog if he is able to get it!
     • Punishment suppresses behaviors instead of addressing the source of the problem.
     • Punishment increases fear, anxiety, aggression and unpredictability in behaviors.
9. Watch Your Tone. The way we say something can have a great effect on the dog. High pitched voices or repeated sounds can stimulate your dog. Instead, make sure you are using a calm, low tone when you talk to your dog. 
10. Use treats for training. Be predictable. When your dog is aroused, teach him to do something else before he gets aroused. Teach a “find it” command so your dog focuses on the ground instead of the trigger that may cause him to be overly aroused. 

Many dogs need help from you to learn to regulate their emotions. Don’t give up on your dog if you are having trouble. We are here to help!