Are you looking for a workout buddy? High energy dogs might be the perfect fit for your active lifestyle. They come in all shapes and sizes, so let’s dive in and find you a great animal companion.
Along the way, we’ll give you valuable tips and tricks on how to handle a dog with more energy and how to tire it out on days when you can’t give your pet the attention it needs.
High Energy Dogs
While some breeds are upbeat and energetic, others are more laid back and chilled. It all depends on what type of pup you want around. Let’s have a look at some of the energetic little furballs that people love taking care of.
Small Energetic Dog Breeds
1. Boston Terrier
These little cuties pack a serious amount of energy. Weighing only between 12–25 pounds, you wouldn’t suspect that much from such a small package.
Boston Terriers are all energy, all the time. But they also have the most fantastic manners to go with their black and white tuxedo-like coat.
Such dogs with high energy levels need to exercise frequently to avoid dealing with unruly behavior.
Be prepared to put in the effort. Some Boston Terriers need one-on-one playtime with their owners to let off steam.
2. Jack Russell Terrier
This breed is so high-energy that it’ll have you laughing until your tummy aches. Jack Russel’s inquisitive nature often gets it into some hilarious situations, and we love watching them over and over on Youtube.
It’s a pretty tiny pup, weighing between 9–15 pounds, but it will keep you going all day long, and it’s perfect for families who enjoy being outdoors.
The Jack Russel is one of the low maintenance high energy dogs. Their upkeep is pretty simple, and they’ll keep up with you on hikes even to the point of overtaking you.
Medium Sized Dogs With High Energy
Now, it’s not just the pint-sized pooches that can keep you running around. Some medium breeds are just as energetic.
3. Horgi
Thanks to its infamous parents, the adorable Corgi Husky mix comes with unique personality traits.
The pup is low set like the Corgi, but it can be blessed with a luxurious Husky coat or those amazing bi-colored eyes.
They weigh between 20–50 pounds, but they can get quite heavier quickly without exercising.
We love these high energy dogs that play and run around. They’re an excellent fit for an outdoorsy owner who enjoys a good workout. If that’s not your scene, you can always get a treadmill for dogs to keep them healthy and lean.
4. Border Collie
The Collie is one of the most active dog breeds. Bred for herding, they can run for miles and thoroughly enjoy the fresh air.
These pups are highly trainable and love to learn. Obedience is one of their top qualities.
Because of their active lifestyle, you’ll need to keep them busy. That’s where indoor games for high energy dogs come in handy. Good pup puzzle options include the Outward Hound interactive puzzle, and the IQ treat mat on Amazon, which will keep your pup busy for hours.
If you have small kids, proper dog training is an absolute must, unless you want them herded throughout the house by a 30–55 pound animal. And we don’t recommend it.
Big Dogs With High Energy
5. Labrador Retriever
In 2021, labs were crowned as the most popular dog breed in the US for 30 years in a row.
The Labrador Retriever is highly active and loves being around families, and kids in particular. So if you’re looking for a family-friendly pooch to run around with the littles ones, this might be the right fit for you.
These pups weigh around 65–80 pounds, which is why they need lots of exercise. Labs are also great swimmers, so a day at the beach is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
Labradors are some of the most high energy, loyal, and affectionate dogs. A few days with one will have you fighting over their cuddles.
6. German Shepherd
Slightly larger than the Labrador, this breed weighs around 65–90 pounds.
You’ll often see a German Shepherd as a service dog due to its intelligence and stamina. It certainly tops my list of high energy and high intelligence dogs.
This pup can keep up even with the fastest humans, so be ready for some speedy rough-and-tumble play. Overall, shepherds are among the best dogs for active people.
Since you’ll need more space for this breed, it’s crucial to ensure its safety with a wireless dog fence. German Shepherds are highly active and love to play, but they’re also among the most loyal breeds that give the biggest cuddles.
Training High Energy Dogs
A lot goes into training any animal. For starters, you should think and answer the questions below before getting a pet.
Can You Handle Being a Pet Owner?
While browsing dog breeds for your future pet, you should consider the care, attention, and devotion you’ll need to dedicate to it.
Unfortunately, high energy dogs that can be left alone suffer for days on end. Looking after a breed that tolerates being on its own doesn’t mean you can sit and do nothing. All dogs take some work.
Training any breed is an absolute must. Owners need to step up, manage and take responsibility for their pets’ behavior.
Solutions for high energy dogs certainly don’t include euthanasia or dropping them at the nearest shelter. The Pawsome team can never stand behind animal neglect. If someone’s too lazy or irresponsible, then they shouldn’t adopt an animal.
What Does Training Entail?
It should start as early as possible for socialization to take place. Your pup should get used to other people and dogs, too.
Training a hyper dog takes time, so be patient, especially if you adopted an older pooch. It’ll have to unlearn all previous behavior, and that takes time.
Don’t encourage your pet’s excitement during training. As hard as it might be, you should ignore that.
Instead, when your pupper is mellow, treat them to a big cuddle, belly rub, and all the attention it wants. That’s how you’ll show your pet that rewards come when it’s in this state.
Activities for High Energy Dogs
Surprisingly, what works for our kids, works for dogs, too. So, how do you calm a high energy dog?
Keep your pup distracted. If it focuses on something else, then it’ll pay little attention to what’s happening around it. Doggy puzzles and interactive pup games can be a great solution.
You can even find specific toys for high energy dogs. Running’s the name of the game, and easy to throw, durable balls, like the Chew King Supreme fetch balls on Amazon, are going to be your best friend.
Walking is another essential part of calming your pup down. That energetic behavior could be its way of asking for time outside or a simple walk down the street.
How to Tire Out High Energy Dogs
Honestly, the keywords here remain walking and playing.
Find a toy your pupper can’t resist and use that to your advantage. Playing fetch for a mere 15 minutes can be enough to tire out your pooch.
Keep in mind that larger breeds like the German Shepherd need a bit more activity to tire, so we recommend taking them on long walks and engaging in tracking activities.
Exercise for high energy dogs is like pollen for bees — they need it.
Pup classes are an excellent way for you to learn what your pet breed needs. The AKC offers a variety of courses that help owners understand their pooches.
Alternative Therapies
After a while, many owners give up and accept their high energy dogs as they are. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here’s what else you can do.
Aromatherapy
It might sound a bit kooky but hear us out.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to help physical and behavioral problems in pups and humans. You can treat fear, anxiety, pain, and inflammation by inhaling specific oils or topical treatments.
Calming oils work well, even for the most energetic dogs. For instance, the Adaptil dog calming kit on Amazon can do wonders for your pet, and it comes pre-packed and ready to plugin. It’s a win-win for both you and your pup.
Know that concentrated oils can be toxic if consumed, so keep them away from kids, humans, or pets.
CBD for High Energy Dogs
Don’t panic. The only thing that’s high around here is your pup’s energy level. Dogs don’t get high with CBD.
Cannabidiol pet products are on the rise, with 64% of CBD consumers buying them to reduce their animal companions’ stress levels. Plus, aggression and undesirable behavior can also drop significantly. This might be caused by pain, which you can’t see physically, but CBD helps with that, too.
Using the correct CBD dosage for dogs is vital, so always read the instructions like you would with any other medication.
When looking at how to handle high energy dogs, natural products like CBD do the trick. Still, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet first.
Wrap Up
High energy dogs come in all shapes and sizes.
Small active breeds include the inquisitive Boston Terrier and the mischievous Jack Russell Terrier.
Suppose you’re looking for a medium-sized high energy pup. In that case, the luxurious Horgi and the intelligent Border Collie are magnificent creatures to keep as company.
Finally, among the big energetic dogs you’ll find the most popular breed in the US — the Labrador Retriever, as well as the hard-working German Shepherd.
All pups require training, but high energy dogs might need a bit more effort. While classes and specialists can help, alternative treatments like aromatherapy and CBD are becoming more popular solutions to calm down active pups.