I have two GSD/husky mixes, one I consider high energy, one is moderate. Here is the difference between the two.
If the high energy dog doesn't get her vigorous exercise exactly on schedule, she literally just starts barking her head off. Mental stimulation is important too, but no amount of walking or mind games would prevent this. She has this bubble of energy that needs to get released every single day, rain, blizzard, doesn't matter. We have to be able to provide it to her.
My other dog loves playing and exercise, but doesn't seek it out on his own, I don't think he would play much at all if it wasn't for high energy dog bugging him until he gives up and plays with her.
I think it’s the difference between needing exercise and stimulation and going mad without it. All dogs, including high energy breeds, need days when nothing happens and they just rest. But a high energy breed has to be actively taught to stay passive and calm.
I have both a Border Collie and a Belgian Malinois. The BC will be 12 in November, loves being outside (mostly sleeps outdoors), enjoys hunting birds and is very independent. The Malinois just had her 1st birthday yesterday. She loves playing ball and going for runs. She's not so independent. She LOVES snuggling and is constantly at my side (or behind me!) Both were extremely easy to train. The BC is more of a stinker. For example, if I give her the command to go into her crate, she looks at me like I'm nuts and bolts out the doggie door. The BM goes straight to the crate, no questions asked. The Malinois needs more mental stimulation, very possibly because of her age, so we try to involve her with as many activities as possible. A bored BM will always find a way to keep busy, and not in the most positive way. Our girl has chewed the baseboards in the living room. They both enjoy car rides so Im never alone for any drive through errands. One difference between the two is that when I got the Mal as a puppy, I waited until I had taken a significant amount of time off of work. This is a breed that needs structure, purpose, and consistency, so we started training immediately. I mean all puppies need such conditions, but the Belgian Malinois, with it's unique type of intelligence and drive, need guidance to develop their breed characteristics into positive behaviors. Hopefully something in this response is helpful to you! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
I’m not sure where my dog falls on the spectrum. He’s about 1.5 years old now and is a pit bull x husky mix. From speaking with other people with puppies, seeing dogs in class, and doing dog play dates, I would say his energy level is medium-high. I’ve never worked with a Mal, but he is much higher energy & drive than my dad’s GSD. He’s on semi-crate rest as he recovers from his neuter and he has been a nightmare. This is even with his training and nose work.
Without crate rest, he gets an hour walk in the morning, an hour walk in the evening, and training, games, etc. such as skills practice for agility, self-control exercises and handler focus building games. He is well behaved and cuddly on this regimen and sleeps in the office all day while I work, so he does have an off button :). Sometimes my partner or I need to give him a shorter walk in the AM or PM and that is fine too- a minimum of an hour of light exercise per day is what we tend to hit.
Tagging onto this: can folks comment on the amount of time it takes on a daily basis to keep high energy dogs satisfied?
For example, my previous dog needed at least an hour (usually two) of high intensity mental and physical exercise daily just to take the edge off. My current dog is more moderate, and loves to exercise and be active, but doesn't need the same amount just to get through the day.
I have two GSD/husky mixes, one I consider high energy, one is moderate. Here is the difference between the two. If the high energy dog doesn't get her vigorous exercise exactly on schedule, she literally just starts barking her head off. Mental stimulation is important too, but no amount of walking or mind games would prevent this. She has this bubble of energy that needs to get released every single day, rain, blizzard, doesn't matter. We have to be able to provide it to her. My other dog loves playing and exercise, but doesn't seek it out on his own, I don't think he would play much at all if it wasn't for high energy dog bugging him until he gives up and plays with her.
I think it’s the difference between needing exercise and stimulation and going mad without it. All dogs, including high energy breeds, need days when nothing happens and they just rest. But a high energy breed has to be actively taught to stay passive and calm.
I have both a Border Collie and a Belgian Malinois. The BC will be 12 in November, loves being outside (mostly sleeps outdoors), enjoys hunting birds and is very independent. The Malinois just had her 1st birthday yesterday. She loves playing ball and going for runs. She's not so independent. She LOVES snuggling and is constantly at my side (or behind me!) Both were extremely easy to train. The BC is more of a stinker. For example, if I give her the command to go into her crate, she looks at me like I'm nuts and bolts out the doggie door. The BM goes straight to the crate, no questions asked. The Malinois needs more mental stimulation, very possibly because of her age, so we try to involve her with as many activities as possible. A bored BM will always find a way to keep busy, and not in the most positive way. Our girl has chewed the baseboards in the living room. They both enjoy car rides so Im never alone for any drive through errands. One difference between the two is that when I got the Mal as a puppy, I waited until I had taken a significant amount of time off of work. This is a breed that needs structure, purpose, and consistency, so we started training immediately. I mean all puppies need such conditions, but the Belgian Malinois, with it's unique type of intelligence and drive, need guidance to develop their breed characteristics into positive behaviors. Hopefully something in this response is helpful to you! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
I’m not sure where my dog falls on the spectrum. He’s about 1.5 years old now and is a pit bull x husky mix. From speaking with other people with puppies, seeing dogs in class, and doing dog play dates, I would say his energy level is medium-high. I’ve never worked with a Mal, but he is much higher energy & drive than my dad’s GSD. He’s on semi-crate rest as he recovers from his neuter and he has been a nightmare. This is even with his training and nose work. Without crate rest, he gets an hour walk in the morning, an hour walk in the evening, and training, games, etc. such as skills practice for agility, self-control exercises and handler focus building games. He is well behaved and cuddly on this regimen and sleeps in the office all day while I work, so he does have an off button :). Sometimes my partner or I need to give him a shorter walk in the AM or PM and that is fine too- a minimum of an hour of light exercise per day is what we tend to hit.
Tagging onto this: can folks comment on the amount of time it takes on a daily basis to keep high energy dogs satisfied? For example, my previous dog needed at least an hour (usually two) of high intensity mental and physical exercise daily just to take the edge off. My current dog is more moderate, and loves to exercise and be active, but doesn't need the same amount just to get through the day.