Training a Distracted & Hyperactive Puppy
Many puppy breeds are easily distracted and very active. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault! Well, maybe it is, but for the sake of this article and your puppy, let’s assume it’s not.
Training a hyperactive and distracted puppy can seem overwhelming and hopeless. But don’t worry, there are some simple but effective tips you can use.
Skip a Meal to Gain Focus
Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But for training a distracted puppy, the opposite is true. It’s important not to feed your hyperactive puppy breakfast in the morning of a training session (which should be everyday…). This will help them focus on earning their food rewards during training. Think about it, have you ever asked your friends to help you move with the promise of pizza and beer? It’s a primitive concept, but it works! Food is a great motivator for hungry and distracted puppies.
So, here’s a tip: give your puppy that skipped meal during the training session. This will help them stay focused and eager to learn. Trust me, it’s much easier to train a hungry and distracted puppy than a not hungry-at-all distracted puppy.
Too Much Energy Can Be A Bad Thing
Use A Training Table
Here’s the most crucial tip of this whole column: get a dog training table (premium or stationary). I know what you’re thinking, ‘What’s that?’ It’s exactly what it sounds like – a table you train your dog on. The reason you train your distracted and hyperactive puppy on an elevated level is to remove all the usual distractions they know and seek at eye level. By being at their eye level, you have a better chance of holding their attention longer. It also prevents them from running off in a burst of energy, that can quickly end a training session.
There are different types of dog training tables available, so you will need to decide which option is best for you…
The premium version lets you customize, stack, and disassemble it. These are perfect for more experienced dog trainers who want to train their pups in different locations, like parks, friends’ homes, work trips, or the beach. They’re easy to carry and give your puppies a consistent training routine, no matter where you go.
There’s another option: a stationary table. You usually use this in the same spot in your home during training sessions. (We recommend getting a non-slip rug or surface for the top of your stationary dog training table.) This is the more common way to do it because it gives your distracted and hyperactive puppy a more stable environment. When choosing where to put your stationary dog training table, pick a spot in or around your home that’s mostly free from distractions and in a controlled environment. This will also help your puppy to stay focused during training.
Be Safe!
Safety and vigilance are super important when using a dog training table (premium or stationary), especially when you’re just starting out. Some of our pups are a bit scared of the edge of the training table, while others think they’re Superman and can fly off without getting hurt. So, please never leave your pup on the dog training table (premium or stationary) unattended. We don’t want to see our fur-babies get hurt.
Start Using the Training Table
Training your puppy on a dog training table (premium or stationary) is the best way to teach and reinforce all of your basic commands from sit, down, stand, stay, speak, look and here. Here are a few things to keep in mind when training on your new dog training table:
Collar Corrections
Sometimes, super energetic puppies need a little nudge to stop unwanted or disruptive behavior during training. For these tricky pups, a soft-rubber pronged collar might be helpful. These gentle prong collars mimic the puppy’s natural reaction to its mom grabbing its neck, which is a way of saying, “Hey, that’s not okay.”
Just a heads up, when using a correction collar, it’s crucial to follow these essential rules to avoid any bad habits:
Oldies but Goodies
Here are a few more tricks to get your distracted and hyperactive puppy’s attention. You can use some old-school but classic tools like dog whistles and dog clickers. These tools can be used to get your pup’s attention when he’s doing something he shouldn’t be, or to give him commands using a language of tones with the whistle or clicker. But before you start using a dog whistle or clicker, it’s important to know what your ultimate goal is.
Ok let’s bring it all together now;
- Work for Food
- Spend Energy Before Training
- Dog Training Table (Premium or Stationary)
- Short Duration of Training Sessions
- Soft Pronged Collar
- Dog Whistle or Dog Clicker
Start with these steps and you will see the difference in your daily puppy training sessions. Remember routine is important for your distracted and hyperactive puppy so it is critical to train your fur baby every day and do your best to do it at the same time(s) each day. And Homie, Da Home Dogg, wants to remind you that your puppy loves you and needs your patience to grow up to be the best version of herself.
