High energy goes hand in hand with a Vizsla. This is a breed that was bred to hunt in the field all day. One of the most pervasive comments I hear while doing Rescue Vizsla is that "the dog can't settle" and owners don't have time for their exercise needs, etc. While a Vizsla requires daily age appropriate exercise, they also need to learn "settling". This is best facilitated by crate training (of which I am a huge proponent).
The below video is a tutorial on how to teach your puppy or dog to be calm.
Some dogs need help to learn how to relax. Calmness does not come naturally to some breeds. By reinforcing your dog for being calm, your dog will start to choose calmer behaviors in the future and actually enjoy being calm.
Tips for teaching a Default Settle:
- Don't drop treats if the dog looks up at your hand as you move to give the dog the treat, instead try again later.
- Don't cue the dog "down". It works better if the dog figures it out on his own and CHOOSES to lay down.
- Use high value treats like real meat or cheese for such a wonderful behavior.
Chill Out Fido! - How To Calm Your Dog by Nan Arthur
Calm your canine wild child - Does your dog go bonkers when the doorbell rings or when you grab the leash to take him for a walk? If you find your dog is often difficult to control, you are not alone! Getting your dog to calm down and relax is one of the most common challenges pet parents face. This two-part book will help you first identify the factors that cause this kind of behavior in dogs, then it provides you with eleven key training exercises to teach your dog how to calm down, pay attention to you, relax, and respond to every day situations with confidence and composure. Chill Out will show you how to help your dog become the great dog you always knew he could be.
