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My dog is high-strung, barks, steals food, and jumps. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is rather high strung. She has a voracious appetite. Plus she steals My other dogs food and catfood. Also she is hyper. Won't stop barking And claws everyone's legs that come in the door. What to do??

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on February 4th, 2017

She sounds like she's a high energy, probably very intelligent dog and she needs a job. Make sure to get her out for lots of exercise, take her with you wherever you can, get her into obedience training, agility, take her to the dog park, go for long walks, runs, play fetch, anything and everything you can do to wear down her energy levels. A tired dog is a happy dog. Try using a puzzle feeder or slow feeder to make her meals more challenging and mentally stimulating. Also consider getting her a Kong toy to chew during times you'd like her to be calmer and quiet. They are durable, heavy rubber and can be stuffed with peanut butter to occupy a dog for longer periods of time. If these suggestions don't have enough of an effect to make her more settled, consider hiring a trainer that specializes in behavioral issues. Make sure to ask them what methods they use and only hire someone that uses only positive reinforcement in their training.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on January 14th, 2019
High energy is normal for puppies, but she needs to get enough play time in so that she doesn't become bored and destructive. High energy intelligent dogs are at risk of turning their energy and smarts into chewing, digging, barking, separation anxiety, etc. If you can have a friend come by to play with her in the middle of the day, or a dog walking service or a doggie-daycare arrangement, she will be much happier in the long run. Also, make sure she has plenty of toys to keep her amused when you're not around to keep her busy. One of the best in the Kong toy, which is very rugged and stands up to a lot of play and chewing. Consider getting her a slow feeder or puzzle feeder to make even her mealtimes a chance for mental stimulation. Play with her as much as you can, spend weekends going out, to the dog park, hikes, long walks, whatever it takes to make her mind and body tired to keep her happy and out of trouble. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on January 6th, 2018
It sounds like she needs a job! :-) Very active dogs need LOTS of exercise, so indulge her love of play by playing fetch with her, taking her for walks and runs, arrange play dates with friends who have dogs that will get along with her, get her into an obedience course so both of you learn ways for her to channel her energy and stimulate her mind as well. Get her involved in dog agility, flyball, lure coursing, anything it takes to wear her down before she gets herself into mischief with all that energy. Get her a Kong toy, they're very durable and bounce randomly when dropped, so she can learn to amuse herself when there's no one to play with her. Consider taking her with you wherever you can so she's exposed to lots of interesting things to see.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 22nd, 2018
This is typical for a young dog. Try taking her on more long walks, 2 hours plus, to help her get rid of the excess energy. If you cannot do this, hire a dog walker or get someone else to exercise her and play with her a lot. This is just a matter of being young, not an illness. Large dogs need a lot of exercise. You may also try getting her a few toys including a food toy (usually a toy into which you put part of her daily kibble ration and the dog needs to work to get the food out). This will also keep her busy for a while.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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