Adding a new member to the family is an exciting time! Puppies make a perfect loving pet to spend time, and make memories with. While they’re adorable, and fun to play with, they have a lot of energy to burn.

Whether they’re tearing up your furniture, or disrupting your sleep, raising a puppy can be a very tiring job. If this applies to you, you’re probably wondering how you can tire out your dog - so that you can relax in the evening, and sleep peacefully at night.

Here are a few things you can do to tire out your pup.

Plenty of Walks

For dogs of all ages, it is very important to ensure that they are getting a sufficient amount of exercise. While puppies may have higher energy levels, this does not necessarily mean they require more physical activity. It is important not to overtire your pup, as this can result in health complications, such as arthritis, or stunted growth.

Instead, we recommend going for lots of short walks with your pup. Short walks provide puppies with the sufficient level of exercise that they need, as well as allowing them to explore the world.

The Blue Cross recommends that you should take your puppy on one / two walks a day after their vaccinations. For dogs up to a year old, these sessions should last for 5 minutes for each month of age. For example, a 6 month old puppy should be walking for 30 minutes at a time.

Please note that puppies should not be allowed to walk outside before being vaccinated, or meet any other dogs. Pre-vaccination pups can only be taken outside in a secure carrier or pram, which allows them to see the world!

Active Games

You should incorporate some games that involve physical activity into your puppy’s routine. Pups love to play, and there are plenty of options available to you, which we list below:

• Fetch
• Tug-of-war
• Hide and seek
• Teaching them new tricks
• Play games with their favourite toys, eg a ball.

Active games are a brilliant method of exerting energy for pups, and you can engage in them before, during, or after walks. However, puppies should not endure too much high-intensity exercise, such as dog agility, or long runs, as this can cause health issues.

Puppy Play Dates

Social interaction is critical for young dogs. Exposing pups to other dogs is not only a brilliant way to tire out your puppy, but it also reduces behavioural issues. Pups are able to learn from other dogs, helping their confidence blossom as they develop into well-rounded pets.

Puppy socialisation is a brilliant physical and mental stimulant, as they’re kept occupied for a long period of time. This helps to tire them out faster, ensuring a better sleep for them, and an undisturbed night for you! You can even take your pooch to puppy classes to allow them to socialise with other dogs their age.

Puppies also have the opportunity to interact with other dogs while out on walks. It is important to ensure that when you take your dog out for a walk, that they’re equipped with a legible tag that displays all their relevant information. Check out our high-quality range of deeply engraved tags here.

Sufficient Sleep and Rest

Not only is it important to ensure that your dog is physically active, but to ensure that they’re well rested. Puppies require a lot of sleep, roughly 16-20 hours per day! Sleep is vital for your pup’s development, emphasising the importance of routine in their day-to-day lives. 

Your dog’s routine should be structured to allow them to relax after exercise, reducing their energy levels before bedtime. If your puppy is struggling to get in a good sleeping routine, the below measures may be of help:

• Tire your pup out during the day.
• Take your pup out for a toilet break before bed time.
• Provide them with a comfortable sleeping space.
• Try and create a calming environment for your puppy prior to bedtime.
• Create a consistent meal routine.

Mental Stimulation

Puppies are constantly learning. At this age, they are intaking lots of new experiences and information, improving their cognitive development. For owners, ensuring that your puppy is mentally stimulated can be a great way to tire them out. 

Mental stimulation can be incorporated through brain training, or even physical activities. There are various games that you can play with your dog to keep them mentally stimulated, such as hide and seek, puzzles, and interactive toys. Sometimes mental stimulation can be something as simple as changing up your route on walks, allowing your dog to sniff different things, or even training.

Conclusion

The most important thing is to simply spend time with your puppy. The interaction that they get with you will likely tire them out, due to all the excitement that they get from being around you! 

It’s important to remember that puppies are still learning. Misbehaviours are likely to happen, especially during the teething stage. As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your pup is getting sufficient exercise, with an adequate diet.

Remember, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that every dog in a highway or public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. When taking your new family pet out for exercise, it is  important that they’re equipped with a high-quality, legible tag displaying this information. 

Our bespoke range of premium tags make the perfect addition to their collar. Explore Our Ranges