Bird Dog Question: Help for High-Energy GSP Owner?
Activity is usually the best medicine for a high-energy bird dog. Photo by Anthony Hauck / Pheasants Forever
Question:
Any help for a German shorthaired pointer owner that can’t tire out his 4-year-old?
-Todd McMillan via Pheasants Forever’s Facebook page
Answer:
If the dog’s literally bouncing off the walls, it could be that he has a hyperactive thyroid. He needs to take the dog to his vet and have blood drawn for a work-up to determine if that’s the case. If so, the condition can be controlled with medication.
If that’s NOT the issue (and assuming the vet can find no other medical reason for it), all I can suggest is exercising the dog as frequently and vigorously as possible to try to take the “edge” off. Other than that, I’m afraid he’ll just have to learn to accommodate the dog’s idiosyncrasies and live with them as best he can. You gotta dance with who brung you, and all that. Most of us would rather have a dog with too much energy than too little!
-Tom Davis pens the “Gun Dogs” column for each issue of the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation
If you have a bird dog-related question – training, nutrition, hunting or other – send it to Pheasants Forever via the contact information below.
Anthony’s Antics Afield is written by Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org and follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauck.
Tags: dog hyperactive thyroid, high energy dog, pheasants forever, Tom Davis
5 Responses to “Bird Dog Question: Help for High-Energy GSP Owner?”
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Take up running! That’s what I did to help tired out my now-almost-8 year old GSP boy who is still VERY high energy.
Also, don’t underestimate the good effects of mental stimulation. GSPs are intelligent and adventure-seeking dogs. Walking my GSP Gatsby for an hour in a busy place with lots of birds, smells, sounds, people, etc. (like the farmer’s market downtown or even taking him to a friend’s BBQ) is just as good as letting him run for 2-3 hours. Wearing out their brain is just as important as wearing out their body.
If all else fails, I highly recommend getting a second high energy dog. They definitely help wear each other out. I currently have a 7.5 yr old GSP, a 7 yr old English pointer, and 3 yr old GSP/Lab cross. They’re all high energy and it’s a good mix of personalities, too. Never a dull moment!
Yeah ! Take up running, it helped alot to take my GSP out for a couple to few mile jog before our hunt.It took the edge off and relaxed the dog so it could hunt great !
Might want to try a bike/run. I ride while my pup jogs and runs along side.
We can do 3-4 miles in about 20 min. We try to go twice a day but once is a good dose of exercise. (Good for both of us.) I use a harness on him so
there’s no pressure on his neck via the leash. Start with short distances and build from there.
We often say there is no “quit” in GSPs, and I suspect there also is no “tired” either. I exercise mine with my car on a lonely, country road several times per week. He can sprint between 20-25 mph and usually likes to cruise around 15 mph, which he can easily do for several miles. When he drops to ~10 mph and his tongue is hanging out, I give him a break, but even then, he heads for the brush and starts nosing around for birds. What a dog!
Running, bike riding are great ways of running of energy. I also use a frisbee with my 1.5 year old GSP. It also works well for keeping her in check with her whoas and wait so she’s ready to hit the fields again. I also have introduced her to duck hunting in the off season. Although I did get laughed at by a couple of lab owners until she went and retrieved the first duck I shot.