If you have any access to water, we had our maniacal tripawd swimming for the first few months. It helped her burn off energy and took some of the stress off her joints.  As a second choice, we took her on trips up to the snow (chest high powder is perfect) where she was cushioned and could burn off energy plowing through the drifts. Good Luck, we can totally sympathize with trying to wear out an energizer bunny....

Cheers,

Kat and Rosie

Hi Elizabeth, we know all about high energy dogs in my house! Maverick is a mini aussie puppy with a very high herding drive so we are beyond high energy right now. While long runs may be beyond Tanner's ability right now going for hikes is a definite second best. On the east coast here we have lots of sugar sand which gives extra cushion to the joints when exercising. Since we live in the pine barrens we have loads of sand and there is a marked difference in the length of a walk Mav can do in sand versus on asphalt. Swimming is a good exercise, as others have suggested, but not always realistic in the winter. Taking an obedience class and getting into canine sports is another way to focus that energy into an acceptable outlet. You'd be surprised how much the energy level goes down once Tanner starts using his mind to figure out each problem or behavior request presented to him. Hope this helps! Lots of love from Mandy and Maverick