DID YOU PICK THE RIGHT ANIMAL FOR YOUR FAMILY WHEN YOU LOOK AT ENERGY LEVELS?
Dogs, just like people have unique personalities and energy levels (mentally & physically)and it can affect the way your dog responds to you. Dogs that have a lot more energy than their humans often don’t get enough exercise. This is why it’s very important to know your energy level, understand how to determine the dog/pet’s energy level and then to choose the right fit for your family.
- Mental energy refers to mood or state of mind. Are they anxious or calm? It can also refer to their ability or willingness to engage in cognitive activities.
- Physical energy can refer more to their athletic ability, stamina, endurance etc.
Dogtime.com shares how high-energy dogs are those who are always ready and waiting for action. Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. Low-energy dogs on the other hand are the canine equivalent of a human couch potato, content to doze the day away.
WHY IS ENERGY LEVEL IMPORTANT?
Many animals surrendered to shelters by their owners are surrendered because of “behavioural issues”. This can be barking, jumping, chewing everything, digging holes, aggression and others. Studies show, that when you look into that behaviour, it is actually what experts would consider normal behaviour for animals whose needs are not met by the owners. I mean, what do you expect a dog who gets no exercise, mental stimulation or even affection to do? Where should they put all this build-up energy?
We encourage people to adopt pets from shelters, but many adoptions are based only on “I like that dog” instead of the important factor of whether this animal will fit with your family’s lifestyle and energy levels and whether you are a good placement for that particular animal. Other factors like lifestyle, size, resources etc. are also important, but if you can’t meet the needs of a high-energy pet, then the pet will suffer and you will be left frustrated. This in turn can negatively affect the behaviour too.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t adopt a Border Collie or Jack Russell, but for your own and their benefit, it is better to choose the right fit. If you are however willing to put in the work, then go for it! If you have picked the “wrong” fit, there is still hope and you can also get help from professional and ethical behaviourists.
LEVELS OF ENERGY
Low-Energy Dogs – These dogs do not run around a lot and they can make good companions for inactive people. These couch potatoes may require less exercise than athletic dogs and they’re usually content just snuggling next to you during the day. These types of dogs usually don’t have impressive athletic skills and are not as keen on learning advanced tricks or skills. Untrained low-energy dogs may wag their tails and come up to you, but they’re unlikely to jump up much against you. This type of energy level can include dogs that go to people and other dogs, but don’t try to play vigorously or for long periods at a time.
Medium-Energy Dogs – These types of energy-level dogs are great companions for a casual run or play in a dog park. They usually are good at a lot of things and do well with hands-on training or teaching. These dogs are what you would refer to as “mellow” in general, however, they can have bursts of energy. Most people will do very well with a medium-energy dog. When you meet such a dog there might be some jumping up against you and casual play or socializing, but they will calm down relatively naturally after about 10 minutes or so without you having to encourage them too much to calm down.
High-Energy Dogs – These ones are what we would describe as busy-bodies. Their tails wag at hundred km/h. They are always ready to go day or night, especially without regular exercise. They tend to be most teachable fast learners and usually have great athletic skills. These dogs need a lot of mental stimulation and physical exercise. If you are not keen on exercise, then this type of dog is not for you. When you meet such a dog, they are usually super excited (there are other reasons for this too) and will jump up and down and will insistent you to play with them.
DOG BREEDS VS. LEVEL OF ENERGY
Low-energy dog breeds
Some of the most popular lower energy breeds include the Basset Hound, Bulldog, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Pekingese, Pug, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Medium-energy dog breeds
Some of the most popular medium-energy dog breeds are the Bloodhound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Maltese, Scottish Terrier and Toy Poodle.
High-energy dog breeds.
Notable choices for high-energy dog breeds include the Airedale Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Dalmatian, Irish Setter, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Jack Russell, Husky and Weimaraner.
Note that this is not an extensive list.
HOW TO TELL WHAT ENERGY LEVEL A DOG HAS?
Cesar Millan shares 5 ways to help determine a dog’s energy levels. Some factors that can affect energy levels include age, diet, health, breed, training, their human’s energy levels, the energy of other animals and more. You have to look at a combination of factors and not just at one aspect though in within context.
- The breed – Their breed or mix can give you an idea of whether they might lean toward higher or lower energy. What they were bred for originally plays a role.
- Try to see the dog in different circumstances – Every dog is different depending on where they are, who they’re with, and whether they’ve just come back from a long walk or have been locked in a house all day. If the dog is at a shelter, you may only be able to visit and not take her out for a “test drive,” but try to go at least once when the shelter is very busy and again when it’s very quiet to get a good idea.
- Go for a walk – The walk is one way to judge a potential dog’s energy. Are they pulling and jumping or strolling along.
- Try playtime – Find out what kind of games the dog likes to play.
- Watch interactions with other dogs – Is your potential dog the one that tries to engage in play with every other dog, racing from group to group, or do they prefer to watch from the sidelines, engaging only a few dogs for a polite greeting and sniff, and not much more?
HOW TO HELP MANAGE ENERGY LEVELS
- Reinforce the behaviours you like, not the ones you don’t like.
- Be proactive and anticipate your dog’s needs.
- Feed your dog using interactive toys.
- Feed a species-appropriate diet.
- Do some training and daily play.
- Play ‘find it’ games.
- Take your dog on field trips.
- Set up play dates for your dog.
- Sniffathons – Let them sniff.
- Sensory gardens can be great stimulation.
- Walks (there are 7 different kinds at least)
Important note: A small yard does not equal a small dog and vice versa. We believe breeds like Border Collies and Jack Russells (many in shelters), should be on farms or in big yards.
Interesting note:
Zoomies, technical name FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods), are sudden bursts of pent-up energy that cause pets to run at breakneck speeds back and forth or around and around, or sometimes, in a tight little circle. This behaviour is entirely normal for many animal species, both wild and domesticated, so there’s no need to worry unless there’s a risk your pet could be injured.
For shelters, this is an important topic to educate potential adopters about and to help match the dogs better with the right family. Keep in mind that even though this post is mostly about dogs, different animal species have different levels in general. Choose your pets wisely and meet all their needs, they are your responsibility!
Check out our three-part summary post on the publication in this series of the past 18 months. Part 1 , Part 2 & Part 3. Next week we will look at making ethical choices when you choose your clothing and assecories.
WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!
