How do you add a cue to a behavior?
Get the behavior, then add a cue. First, we get the animal consistently offering the behavior. With Read More
How to stop dogs from playing all the time?
Harmon Robel
2025-07-26 21:08:28
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When a dog is this cute, it’s hard to resist his attempts to get you to play – at least, until you’ve had to change your clothes twice before going to work, as he slimed your slacks or muddied your Manolo Blahnik’s with a dirt- and slobber-encrusted ball he wanted you to throw. But you must resist once you’ve given the “All done!” cue. If you give in after you’ve given your cue, you are in for a lot more of the same.
Start with a long play session – long enough that it’s reasonable to expect that your dog will be able to end the game and relax. Give your “All done!” cue, and put the toy somewhere your dog can no longer see it – in a cupboard or in a backpack – and ignore any of your dog’s efforts to re-engage with the toy. Notify any other humans in the vicinity to also ignore your dog’s attempts to get them to play. Watch your dog, so you notice and can reinforce him for any appropriate behavior that is not attention-seeking. Make sure to give your dog plenty of opportunities to engage in ball-chasing and other favorite activities daily.
Yvonne Blanda
2025-07-15 02:30:33
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I will usually separate and crate them twice a day to make them take a naptime. Will also kennel one or both as needed when they get to be too crazy. Another tactic that I find works, especially for food motivated dogs, is having a treat session. I call all the dogs over to me and start handing out little treat bites for the dogs that will sit. It refocuses their attention for a few minutes to something other than their best buddy.
When I have this problem with my own dogs, I get them to sit and lie down and keep them there for a moment so they have a chance to calm down. Usually doing this a few times will lead to them acting more calm all around.
You could also try a lot of focused exercise. Puppies can't take long walks, but a game of catch or something similar will tire them out. Also, force the naps. They need to sleep, just like toddlers.
Some tactics I've used when supervising dog play include physical separation - crates and baby gates are my lifesaver. Sometimes dogs, especially puppies, are exhausted and nearing a 'meltdown' but like toddlers, don't realize they're tired, so by physically separating them they will usually fall asleep and everyone can have a breather.
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Maryse McDermott
2025-07-15 02:15:45
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: 14
Dogs need a balance of both physical and mental exercise. Many dogs when left alone in their yard, though they may play when initially let out, do not spend a whole lot of time interacting/playing with each other/ burning up a whole lot of energy. Keeping in mind that 'day time' is by nature the time when dogs spend more time resting than engaging in high energy activities. If they get bored being out on their own they may find something to do that you may not approve of - they can learn to run the fence line barking at people and dogs going by, they may take up nuisance barking, they may engage in some 'landscaping' -'self-rewarding' behaviors that are easier to prevent than to change after they have had opportunities to practice them. Perhaps consider adding some 'brain games' into their routine - a tired 'body and mind' can help to make it easier for dogs to relax and settle when we need them to. Brain games use more energy than physical exercise.