You might think that your dog is lazy because they refuse to fetch the ball or walk when you take them out for a walk. But are they really just being lazy, or could there be an underlying health issue? This blog post will explore some reasons why your pup may have lost their energy and how to help them gain it back!
Here’s The Short Answer To Why Your Puppy is Lazy:
It’s possible that your puppy’s energy level is low because they are bored. Dogs need stimulation to keep their minds sharp, and they can get very weary from lack of activity. They may also not be getting the right diet for a dog of their size and metabolism. Perhaps they have some depression hanging over their head. Also, some dog breeds are naturally lazy. This includes the English Bulldog and the Basset Hound.
This blog post will explore some reasons why your puppy may have lost their energy and how to help them gain it back!
1. Your Puppy is Bored
The first reason that your puppy is lazy is that they are bored. No one likes to do the same mundane thing all day, every day. Dogs are no different in this respect and will often find something else to occupy their time with if they’re not given an outlet for some creative energy.
A bored dog is a problem waiting to overflow as your pup grows into adulthood–they may chew up furniture or dig holes in your garden just to relieve the tedium of life indoors without stimulation.
If you don’t want this situation to develop on your hands, start providing more mental and physical exercise for them! You might also consider investing in some interactive toys that draw out their natural curiosity while giving them mental stimulation, like the ones from Kong and Outward Hound.
2. Your Puppy is Not Getting The Right Diet
It might be the case that your puppy’s laziness has something to do with the wrong diet. Dog parents should be aware of the nutritional requirements for their dog’s age and weight.
A puppy needs a diet that provides them with adequate intake to grow healthy bones, muscles, and teeth while maintaining a healthy weight. Reduce or eliminate calorie-intensive snacks like table scraps which can lead to obesity, as well as behavioral issues such as food guarding later on down the road if they are not fed at regular intervals throughout the day.
If your vet has recommended a special diet for any reason, be sure you follow those directions closely!
3. Today Is a Hot Day
Just like with humans, hot weather can make puppies sleep all day. This is because hot weather makes your puppy’s body works overtime to maintain a normal and consistent body temperature, more so on scorching days. All this energy use can make your puppy feels tired and sluggish.
There are many risks that come with hot temperatures. That’s why it’s important to identify heat exhaustion signs and symptoms before it gets severe. Excessive panting is usually the first symptom followed by vomiting, lethargy, convulsion, and even collapse.
If you ever see your puppy suffering from these symptoms, it’s important to bring them into a cool area with plenty of water and shade immediately. Continue providing fluids until they are hydrated enough but don’t force them to drink if he or she refuses. Putting ice packs on the paws is an effective way for cooling down too!
4. Your Puppy is Depressed
If your puppy is not bored or suffering from hot temperatures. Your pup may be depressed! It’s important to keep in mind that dogs are emotional beings therefore, they can get moods too.
When a dog feels sad, they might refuse to eat its food, sleep more than normal or stop playing with their favorite toy. In order for your depressed dog to be happy again, try spending some quality time together by going on walks or playing games indoors while avoiding anything frustrating, like too much exercise.
Here are some other signs of depression in dogs:
- Lack of appetite
- Excessive paw licking
- Destructive behavior
- Excessive sleepiness and excessive sleeping
- A sudden change of behavior
- A sudden withdrawn attitude
5. Some Dogs Are Just Naturally Lazy
Some dog breeds, such as English Bulldogs or Miniature Pinscher, are just naturally more lazy than other dogs. For these dogs, it’s completely normal for them to spend a lazy afternoon by their bed sleeping and lounging around. So if there is nothing physically or emotionally wrong with your dog, then I’d say you just got a lazy pup.
A lazy dog breed often makes the best dog for an apartment dweller. Take a look for an example, English Bulldogs. These short and compact breeds might look like they mean business with a stocky appearance that makes them intimidating enough to ward off would-be thieves. However, there’s nothing more they love than curling up with you on the couch.
Bulldogs aren’t known for being active as they get hot and tired easily. They much prefer relaxing indoors. With a short coat that doesn’t require any brushing, you won’t need to spend hours extracting hair from every crevice in your apartment!
6. Your Puppy is Suffering From Dangerous Illnesses
Dangerous illnesses like parasites or poisoning can be the culprits for a sluggish pup. Dog owners often don’t realize when their puppies pick up something until it becomes severe.
For example, it could be that parasites latch onto their food, and they eat it without realizing it. And if you go on a walk in the woods, your pup could eat something that’s poisonous to them!
Also, If you just got a new puppy from a non-reputable source such as a puppy mill, checking for signs of parasites such as unusual lethargy or signs of significant pain at the vet should be the first thing that you do after your new pup arrives.
Your vet will need to perform a fecal test to determine if your pup has any parasites. There are many types of tests that can be performed, but the most common one will check for Giardia and roundworms.
7. Your Puppy is Naturally Calm
No matter the breed, each dog has their own personality. Some are more active than others, and some dogs are naturally calm. They may not be as active and ready to go on a walk, but the most important thing is your pup is still healthy!
How to Get Your Puppy to Be Less Lazy?
1. Offer a Variety of Activities Each Day, and Try to Rotate Your Dog’s Activities Throughout The Week
Your dog will get tired of doing the same thing all day, so it’s important to offer a variety. Puppies can also be very sensitive about not being allowed to do something they previously enjoyed for an extended period of time.
I recommend that you take your pup on some walks throughout the week and vary their exercise routine by bringing them out hiking or camping once in a while. The more varied activities your pup has experienced each day, the less likely they’ll become bored.
2. Make Sure Your Puppy Eat The Right Food
A balanced diet is important not only for your pup’s health but also for their daily activities and body functions.
There are many different types of dog food available to you, including dry kibble and canned and raw diets, which offer a variety of nutrients. Here’s a general guideline when picking out food for your pup.
Most importantly, protein should comprise about one-third of your pup’s daily intake; fat content should take up another third, while the remaining third comprises carbs and fiber (for optimum digestion). You also want to make sure they drink enough water each day: sometimes overfeeding leads to dehydration in dogs, so it’s important they stay hydrated.
3. Give Your Puppy Enough Exercise
Some puppies are supposed to get a lot of exercises; for example, German shepherds need two hours of exercise every day. When they don’t get enough exercise, your pup may develop behavioral issues, ranging from extreme aggression to laziness.
For most puppies, it’s recommended that they get playtime and exercise that follow a ratio of five minutes of exercise per month of age until they are fully grown. For example, 3 months old puppy should have 15 minutes of exercise up to twice a day.
Walks are still good exercise for puppies. However, remember to keep at your puppy’s pace and take a break if they start to lag behind. Tug of war is also a good game for a puppy. This game can teach your puppy bite inhibition and strengthen your bond.
4. Give Your Puppy Plenty of Toys to Play With
You can help your puppy stay active with plenty of toys. Put them in front of them and let them explore to see what they are interested in playing with. Give them a favorite toy a new spot so that it will be something new for them to find again, or give them two different toys at the same time!
My favorite toy for my puppies is interactive dog toys. These toys are great because they are filled with treats that the puppy can work to get out.
5. Ensure That Your Puppy Get a Regular Vet Check-Up
One of the keys to getting your puppy to be less lazy is making sure they are healthy and well cared for. Ensuring that the pup is up-to-date on their vaccinations, spayed or neutered before six months old, will help keep them in shape.
Related Questions
1. How do you train a lazy puppy?
When it comes to training a lazy puppy, the most important things are patience and ingenuity. For example, if you’re trying to get your puppy to go outside for the first time, rather than putting them on leash straight away and commanding them to go out, you should first lure them with a toy or food. That way, they’ll feel more inclined and less like they’re being forced into something that’s beyond their control.
After a few tries of this method, try holding the end of the leash more loosely from two steps away while your pup is in front of the door (or any other obstacle), which will build up his confidence so that next time when you tell him “go out” they will do so without hesitation.
