Calming Down

[Karen]

Has he taken an Obedience class? If not, sign up now! You'll both benefit.

[bckrazy]

Lab/Pit mixes are bound to be energetic! Rupert is really cute.

Even though he's in the backyard most of the day, is he really getting exercised? Romping around sporatically isn't enough for some dogs. My Border Collie could be in the backyard all day, he would NOT be satisifed at all and he would get spazzy. We have to walk/jog him 2+ miles every day, play fetch with him for an hour straight in the evening, and he gets to play frisbee, practice flyball, and do recall/down-stay training for at least another hour spread out through out the day. How many hours/minutes every day do you dedicate to taking him outside and really exercising him? Try upping that, or playing with him every day when you get home so that he can relax when he's in the house. Don't reward his jumpy behavior, don't even pay attention to him until he's sitting down, then give him a treat or pet him.

Obedience would also be great! Often, a training collar isn't even necessary (or only needs to be used for a few weeks), after you learn from a good trainer how to work with your dog.

[lute]

Lab/Pit mixes are bound to be energetic! Rupert is really cute.

Even though he's in the backyard most of the day, is he really getting exercised? Romping around sporatically isn't enough for some dogs. My Border Collie could be in the backyard all day, he would NOT be satisifed at all and he would get spazzy. We have to walk/jog him 2+ miles every day, play fetch with him for an hour straight in the evening, and he gets to play frisbee, practice flyball, and do recall/down-stay training for at least another hour spread out through out the day. How many hours/minutes every day do you dedicate to taking him outside and really exercising him? Try upping that, or playing with him every day when you get home so that he can relax when he's in the house. Don't reward his jumpy behavior, don't even pay attention to him until he's sitting down, then give him a treat or pet him.

Obedience would also be great! Often, a training collar isn't even necessary (or only needs to be used for a few weeks), after you learn from a good trainer how to work with your dog.

ditto!

[Kfamr]

Just being in the backyard with another dog is NOT enough excersize for a hign energy dog!

I was basically going to say what bckrazy said. Kiara would be uncontrollable if all she did was chill in the backyard. She swims, plays frisbee, fetch, tug, etc. EVERY day numerous times a day. Even after I work a full time job on my feet, we still play several "games" a day that are physically and mentally stimulating to her. High energy dogs NEED this.

We take her on the boat, to the beach, park, etc. every day/every other day.

My other two are fine with a few romps in the backyard and playtimes inside. They are a lot less energy than Kiara.