It’s tough when you bring home a new puppy – so much playtime, so little sleep! But if you have a wheaten terrier, you may start to wonder when they’ll start to settle down and increase their rest periods. Although it may not seem like it, wheaten terriers do tend to calm down at some point in life. Let’s take at a look at when wheaten terriers stop being the wild ball of fur you brought home.
1. Unlocking the Truth: Why Do Wheaten Terriers Remain So High-Energy?
Wheaten terriers have long been one of the most high-energy breeds around. Bred to hunt, their innate drive quickly takes over when it comes time for play. Despite miles of walking, playing in the park and other action, their exuberance for life never wanes.
Wheaten Terriers’ innate energy can have several sources, including their ancestry and physiology. Evolution has gifted them with an abundance of energy and strong instincts that drive them to hunt and explore. Their bodies have also been wired for action. They have larger hearts and other organs, as well as a higher red-blood-cell count to keep oxygen flowing through their systems.
Their full-to-bursting energy can also be attributed to the way in which they have been raised. Even if raised in a home environment, Wheaten puppies are usually exposed to a lot of experiences early on, thanks to the energy and commitment of their owners. Combining a healthy diet and plenty of stimulation from toys, agility and training can contribute to high-levels of energy.
So, why do Wheaten Terriers remain so high-energy? When all of these factors are taken into account, the answer is clear. Their genetic disposition and anatomy, combined with the right kind of upbringing, has created a breed that will remain full of vitality and energy over the course of its lifetime. While they can be trained and managed, the exuberance of these dogs will never be fully tamed.
2. Stepping Out of the Puppy Phase: What to Prioritize in Training
Now that your puppy is past his age of infancy, he’ll be able to learn more intricate exercises. The trick is to know what tasks to prioritize and which to leave for a later time. Here are steps to follow when it’s time to level up your pup’s training.
Ensure Basics Are in Place
Before getting too far ahead of yourself in training, make sure the basics are covered. Things like potty-training, leash manners, and basic obedience commands need to be understood and carried out without issue. Once the basics are in good order, you can move on to the more complex.
Build Their Understanding
When training new or more complex behaviors, always begin by teaching your dog what you want to train, and build on this with lots of repetition. The goal here is for your pup to leave you with a solid understanding of the task at hand.
Work to Perfection
As you move through training, make sure to keep things focused and brief, but effective. Reward-based training can be extremely successful here when paired with the right amount of repetition. Work through the desired behaviors until they are executed perfectly:
- Once your pup has made consistent progress, reinforce the behavior with rewards.
- Once the behavior is performed well, increase the difficulty.
- Occasionally use treats, but focus more on verbal and physical rewards for well-executed behavior.
- When your pup is consistently able to do the exercise with few mistakes, they can move on.
Ensure Success Is Short-Term
No matter how far your pup has come in the training, make sure to take frequent breaks and keep the sessions brief to ensure continued success in the long-term. If the progress starts to slow, the break and/or difficulty levels should be adjusted. As time passes and your pup’s skillset grows, so should the complexity of their training sessions.
3. The Value of Routine: Establish Firm Rules and Expectations
Establishing a firm routine with the right rules and expectations is essential for successful parenting. These guidelines provide children with boundaries and allow them to flourish in an organized environment. When the entire family understands and follows the expectations, routines become second nature, allowing everyone to thrive.
Establishing Boundaries
Routines set up expectations for behavior and help children understand the rules of the house and their roles in it. This allows them to feel more secure, know how to behave in different situations, and take other people’s expectations seriously. Establishing boundaries helps children make sense of the world around them and remind them to act accordingly.
Encouraging Contribution
When parents involve their kids in setting the household rules, their children will feel more responsible for following them. It’s important to let children contribute to the routine, whether that’s by helping decide which tasks they do when or details about a family meal. They will be more engaged with the goals and empowered to complete tasks independently.
Creating a Positive Environment
Routine and clear expectations also help create a positive environment. Kids will feel more in control when they have structure and can easily follow expectations. The sense of security this offers will allow them to focus on learning new skills, develop confidence, and cultivate a healthy lifestyle. Plus, it makes parenting easier and less stressful.
- Routines set expected behavior and rules
- Encourage children to contribute to the routine
- Creating structure offers children a sense of security
- Helps create a positive environment
4. Taking Time to Unwind: Providing Opportunities for Mental Stimulation
Whether you’re a busy professional or a stay-at-home parent, it’s important to prioritize mental stimulation. Taking time to unwind and engage in activities that stimulate your brain can provide several significant benefits.
Memory recall and problem-solving skills can be enhanced with unique exercises. Additionally, doing something different and creative can kickstart dopamine production, encouraging a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment after the task is complete. Here are some great ways to exercise your brain:
- Reading: Break out that book you’ve been holding onto for months. Reading can open up imaginative pathways and boost your critical thinking skills.
- Word Games: Whether it’s a crossword puzzle or an online game, word puzzles can stimulate the brain while providing a sense of joy.
- Sudoku: A relaxing and refreshing way to test your logic. Similar to word games, Sudokus offer a sense of accomplishment when you’re finished.
- Meditation: Heightening your awareness of the present can not only bring an intangible, calming energy, but can also help build mental resilience.
Don’t forget that outdoor activities including running, hiking, and exploring nature can serve as a wonderful way to take a break from everyday stresses. Taking time for yourself to give your brain a distraction can work wonders. Find an activity that suits you and don’t be afraid to shake things up every once in awhile!
5. Making Their Health a Priority: A Balanced Diet and Regular Exercise
Your children’s health is of utmost importance. Giving them the tools they need to maintain their health in their everyday life is an important responsibility. From the foods they eat to the amount of physical activity they get, teach them to make healthy choices and establish healthy habits early on.
Balanced Diet – Kids should eat a variety of foods from all of the major food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and healthy proteins. Eating breakfast and snacks in between meals is important for a balanced diet. Offer children a variety of healthy snacks such as whole grain toast with nut butter, cheese and crackers, hummus, yogurt, or cut up fruits and vegetables.
Regular Exercise – Exercise is important for increasing strength, flexibility, and endurance. Encourage your child to move and be active every day by playing games and sports outdoors. Provide them with options and find activities that appeal to them. It can be as simple as going for nature walks or spending time in the park.
Help your children to build a healthy lifestyle by making sure they get the appropriate amount of nutrition and physical activity. Here are some tips for teaching your children healthy habits:
- Develop a routine where kids eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at similar times each day
- Have family meals together whenever possible
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks
- Set aside time everyday to be active as a family
- Introduce new foods slowly and continually
- Explain to your children why they they need to follow a balanced diet and get regular exercise
6. Find a Balance: When Will a Wheaten Terrier Finally Settle Down?
When it comes to owning a Wheaten Terrier, it’s all about finding the right balance between play time and settling down. A Wheaten might not ever be the picture of complete serenity, but there are some signs that your pup is reaching their calmest state.
Tired Snuggles: As your Wheaten tires out, they won’t be able to keep their active energy up forever. At the end of the day they’ll be ready for snuggles in their bed. These tired snuggles are a surefire way to know that your pup has settled down and can finally get some rest.
Chewing Contently: One activity that Wheaten Terriers just never seem to tire of is chewing. But when your pup has settled in, they will chew contently and with purpose. Even though they may be actively chewing, this activity is still incredibly soothing for a Wheaten.
Impromptu Naps: Sooner or later after playing, snuggling, and chewing your pup will most likely take a quick nap to refresh their batteries.
- Don’t be surprised if they’re suddenly out like a light one moment and pouncing around again the next.
- Your pup will surprise you with sudden bouts of energy, but know that it’s all part of the normal routine for a Wheaten.
Wheaten Terriers want to settle down and sleep more than you might think. By watching for these signs, you’ll be sure to know when that balance has been reached.
7. Ready to Reap the Rewards: Enjoying the Company of a Calm Wheaten Terrier
Wheaten Terriers have earned a major reputation for being calm, laid-back, and even-tempered. These canine companions are intelligent and eager to learn, making them a delightful addition to almost any household. If you’re excited to reap the rewards of having your own Wheaten Terrier, here’s what you can expect:
- Lots of Loyalty and Affection – You’ll find that Wheaten Terriers are extremely loyal to their owners, and full of endless affection and love. They aren’t shy and can’t wait to become your new cuddle buddy. Your Wheaten is sure to fill your house with lots of unconditional love.
- Tons of Laughter – These friendly critters will often have you in stitches with their quirks and witty remarks. They’re confident around other animals, so if you have any fur friends at home, your Wheaten will fit right in. Plus, they like to play, so you’re guaranteed lots of amusement.
- Quality Conversation – One of the most unique aspects of owning a Wheaten Terrier is the prospect of engaging conversation. They may not be the most eloquent conversationalists, but with their intelligence, you’ll sure have plenty of fun debates.
- Calm Companionship – These dogs aren’t overly active and require minimal exercise, making them a perfect fit for high-rise living or other such lifestyles. They are content to snooze the day away and just enjoy your company.
All in all, you’re sure to experience plenty of entertainment and warmth with your new Wheaten Terrier. Ready to fall in love with one of these calm canine companions? Go ahead and get ready to become great friends with your Wheaten today!
The Wheaten Terrier is a breed you will adore for its affectionate and calm nature. With proper obedience training, socialization, attention, and exercise, you can give your Wheaten Terrier the tools they need to become a happy, content, and relaxed companion for many years to come. So, if you are looking for a cuddly pup, this is the one for you!