Wild indoor play? Is there a way to keep it calmer?

Question

My two dogs rough-house inside. I let them out into the backyard when they do this, but I just KNOW my house is going to be beat up when I start back to work.

Is there a way to teach them that there's a difference between indoor play and outdoor? Or is it asking too much?

I have a shepherdx and a colliex...thanks

Answer 1

Well, my dog is a lab so if he doesn't get his preferred amount of exercise he gets it in the house. He'll run 90 miles per hour, jumping on couches, doing u-turns, going in circles. etc. What the dog needs is exercise. Then, they are more calmer in the house. What I usually do when he gets like this is let him out the back door. He can run and do all that outside and not run into people and knock things over. etc. Or, i will just give him something to keep him busy. He likes to chew on water bottles. Loves it actually. He gets all happy when I give him one. He'll spend a lot of time chewing on it, and he's not hyper either.

Maybe to teach him that indoor and outdoor play is different, you can do all outdoor plays with him outside and indoor plays inside. Keep consistent of this and your dog will likely get the hint soon. Good luck.

Answer 2

I think you would be wise to dog-proof your home as much as possible, by moving everything breakable, etc. out of dog-harm's way.

Answer 3

Just let them have some fun.

Answer 4

I feel your pain!

It is coming here by simply talking to them. One gets it. He'll look at the girls like "we're gonna get busted if you don't calm down" when they start. We tell them to play nice or go out. Sometimes they lay down, and sometimes they head for the door.

They really are smarter than we give them credit for...

Good luck!

Answer 5

Ex cerise!

Indoors they should be calm and relaxed but the only way to achieve this is to make sure they have expended all their excess energy.