how to teach dogs the difference between inside and outside play.

Question
Hello:

I have 2 black labs.  My male is 7mts old and 70 lbs and my female is 4mts old and 35lbs.

When I let them outside to play-exercise, they participate in the normal doggie activities; jumping, running, chasing each other and wrestling...nothing aggressive...just highly active

Unfortunately when they are inside they also want to behave like this!
It is way to dangerous and crazy for two big dogs to trample through the house and behave like this.

Due to this behavior I have had to separate them when they are inside.

I was wondering if there is a techniques you can advise me of so I may teach them the difference between acceptable inside and outside behavior, since I would really like to have them be together in a calm manner inside the house and when they go outside they are free to express their energies.


Thank You

Answer
Hi S,

your labs are young - they have lots of energy. This needs to be taken out of their system. Otherwise when ever they are together they will play. For them inside and outside is no different.

Here are some things you must do:

- When you take them out for their daily exercise - make it vigorous. Make sure they tire themselves out completely.

- If you ever see them start to play inside and start to jump on each other (piggy backing or growling) - just let them both out for a while. let them play - you dont need to interfere.

Let me know how it goes.

best,
Sam