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Helping an Energetic Rescue Dog

Well done! You've saved a life by adopting a rescue dog from a shelter or rescue group, or by giving a stray a permanent home. Unfortunately, the little (or large) darling is bouncing off the walls, chewing shoes, waking you at dawn, dragging you around the block at every attempt at a walk, and barking - lots of barking.

Taking Fifi or Fido to the pound for the first or possibly the third (or last time) may seem the only option, but there are ways you can help your overly-energetic dog.

- Neutering

More so if you are dealing with a little boy, but occasionally with little girls too, getting your dog fixed can help. It won't solve the problem overnight, but after several weeks or several months, once the hormones settle down, your dog will settle down too. Contrary to popular belief, it won't make your dog fat and can help prevent health problems as your dog ages too.

- Worming

A bad case of intestinal parasites can cause behavioral problems. Whipworms release a toxin that effects brain chemistry, changing a dogs behavior for the worse - if left untreated, this toxin can lead to permanent damage. Curing a bad case of giardia had a calming effect on several of the rescues at the kennel, perhaps because once the worms were eliminated, the dogs started to get the nutrition they needed to be "physically" stable, which lead to the dogs becoming emotionally stable.

Even a severe infestation can be difficult to detect, so if your dog tests negative, request that your dog is wormed anyway, or take additional samples (wait until there's diarrhea if this is a reoccurring problem) until you're satisfied parasites aren't the problem.

- Basic Obedience

When you have an energetic dog, you find yourself wishing for an "off switch" - frequently. If you teach your dog some basic obedience, gradually, you will get your wish.

The most effective bit of obedience you can teach is waiting for dinner. All dogs do the "dinner dance", but to really get their attention, DO NOT give them their food dish until they're calm. Your dog will learn very quickly to sit or lie down to wait for their food - they will learn that being calm gets them what they want.

Other useful commands are "sit", "stay", "down" "give it" and "here". Once your dog gets the basic commands you can use them to "turn off" overly excited behavior. The trick is to work on the training with a GREAT reward (my wild-child loves to have her back scratched just above her tail), praise them quietly and

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