Ensure that the dog’s physical and mental needs have been met

Games to help take the edge off the energy level:

• Tug - Supply resistance, and let the dog “win” occasionally. Keep the dog’s head parallel to the ground, and resist the urge to shake the dog’s head up and down or side to side.

• Fetch - Roll a ball or toss a toy for the dog to retrieve. Reward the dog bringing the item back to you with a piece of kibble or a different toy.

Puzzle Toys Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Think outside the bowl - The dog’s meals can be fed from a puzzle toy.

Teaching Calm

Puppy Zen

Holding a cookie in your hand, you must have the puppy make eye contact with you and keep 4 feet on the floor in order to get the cookie.

Slow Cookies

Slowly bring the cookie toward the puppy’s mouth. Puppy must keep 4 feet on the floor and not lunge forward toward cookie in order to earn it.

Under, Park & Go Mat

These behaviors encourage calm body positioning. Work to slowly increase their duration. (See Puppy Program Portal for videos.)

Teaching puppies that crates can be cool

Puppies tend to think that all of the fun and excitement happens outside of their crate. Teach the puppy how to self-soothe by providing enrichment opportunities inside of the crate to build positive associations. Give the puppy a stuffed Kong or nylabone while crated.

Trainer Tip: You can zip-tie a stuffed Kong to the back of the crate, so the puppy can enjoy a Kong break while free-roaming in the house. Leave the kennel door open so the puppy can come and go freely, but they only get the Kong reward while choosing to spend time in their crate.

Crate the puppy when you are home, as well as when you need to leave the house. This will allow the puppy to learn that crate time is not reserved for alone and bedtime only.