Do you have an energetic dog? If you’re used to them barking, zooming, and bouncing around the house, ready to enthusiastically attack the day, sometimes you might wish they would just sit and stay put for a bit. Rest assured, there are tips and tricks you can use to calm a hyper dog down.
All dogs (especially puppies) can have random bursts of high energy, but there’s a difference between occasional zoomies and a dog that never stops going.
Sometimes hyperactivity just means your dog needs more exercise and playtime. Still, it’s wise to find the cause and address it early, just in case it relates to any behavioral or emotional issues.
Read on to learn how to spot hyperactivity in your dog, plus tips to help them find a good balance between “zoom” and “chill.”
Training Tactics To Calm A Hyper Dog Down
When training any dog—not just a hyperactive one!—it’s a good idea to practice something dog trainers call the “relaxation protocol,” says Russell Hartstein, Certified Dog Behaviorist and Trainer in Los Angeles and founder of Fun Paw Care.
“This encompasses foundation training exercises, like place training or mat training, designed to help your dog settle, focus, and relax,” Hartstein says.
It’s a good idea to work with a qualified trainer when starting this protocol, which uses desensitization and counter-conditioning.
Ideally, you’ll do these exercises with your dog each day, paying attention to their reactions so you can stick with a pace they feel comfortable with. Try to choose a time when your dog can focus, without distractions.
Other types of training that may help hyperactive dogs include:
Experts don’t recommend restraining your dog or leaving them in a crate as a tactic to limit hyperactivity.
“Physical restraining of a dog that wants to be active can make matters worse as their energy begins to build up,” says Sally Grottini, professional dog trainer and author.
5 Tips To Prevent Hyperactivity
Hartstein says addressing hyperactivity in dogs generally requires a holistic approach. “It’s not just behavior, it’s not just exercise, it’s not just nutrition. It’s combining all of them to take a comprehensive look at your dog’s behavior, nutrition, and everything else in their environment,” he says.
Exercise
Making sure your dog gets enough mental and physical activity each day can help them settle during other times of the day. The amount of exercise your dog needs can depend on their breed, of course—but adult sporting or herding dogs need up to 90 minutes of exercise per day, though they can often tolerate far more!
Sometimes, hyperactive dogs don’t need a “quick fix” for their hyperactivity, according to Dr. Lindsay Butzer, veterinarian at Clint Moore Animal Hospital. Exercise, if you count letting your dog out in a dog park, can also sometimes be considered a quick fix but it’s good to have backup indoor activities as well. In fact, hyper active dogs may actually need more attention or training indoors to learn how to be calm.
Mental stimulation
Dogs don’t just need to keep their bodies moving. They also need plenty of mental stimulation.
To help your dog keep busy in bad weather or when you can’t dash off to the park just yet, try:
- Puzzle toys
- Snuffle mats
- Moving toys
- Obedience training
- Teaching the “touch” cue
- Nosework
- Trick training
Some dogs also thrive when they have a job—whether that’s working as a gundog, herding sheep, or simply watching over the backyard.
Routine
Creating and maintaining a routine can help your dog know what to expect and when. One example routine:
- Morning potty break
- Breakfast
- Short training session
- Crate and toy time
- Potty break
- Walk
- Play session
- Rest time
- Walk or socialization
- Dinner
- Crate or relaxation time
- Play session
- Bedtime
The same routine won’t work for every dog (or pet parent). But whatever routine you come up with, sticking to it can ease stress for both you and your dog, plus provide the chance to work on training and behavior at set times.
Diet
Generally speaking, your dog’s food won’t cause hyperactivity, says Dr. Butzer, though they may have some extra energy just after eating.
Commercial dog foods are developed to provide the right number of calories to meet a dog’s daily calorie needs based on their size, lifestyle, and activity level. It’s important to choose a dog food that’s designed for your dog’s size and typical activity levels. Your vet can offer more guidance if you aren’t sure which to choose.
However, feeding a dog sugary foods can have an impact. “Sugar supplements like Nutrical, Karo syrup, or dog-friendly ice creams, can definitely cause some short-term hyperactivity because this will spike your pet’s glucose levels and cause them to have more energy,” Dr. Butzer says. This effect will wear off quickly, though.
On the flip side, some treats may help calm a hyperactive dog. Treats containing ingredients like valerian root, L-tryptophan, and melatonin may help reduce your dog’s hyperactivity. Just talk to your vet first.
Keep in mind, too, that calming treats may not work for every dog, Grottini cautions. She recommends helping your dog release their energy in other ways.
Medication
If your dog’s hyperactivity becomes difficult to handle and no other strategies help them calm down, it may be worth asking your vet about calming treats or prescription medications, like trazodone.
Why Is My Dog So Hyper?
The key to dealing with your dog’s hyperactivity lies in recognizing the cause. Some common explanations include:
- Boredom: Dogs who spend time alone and get less exercise are more prone to hyperactivity. Arranging a dog sitter and increasing the amount of exercise your dog gets could make a difference. It’s also important to make sure they get enough mental stimulation and attention from you!
- Excitement: Some dogs just get excited really easily—like after a bath. Zoomies—officially named frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs)—are a completely natural way for dogs to release tension and excitement. But if your dog gets zoomies multiple times a day, it may be worth consulting a vet or dog behaviorist.
- Anxiety: Dogs who have anxiety can become very restless. If your dog shows other signs of anxiety along with restlessness, Hartstein says the dog-appeasing pheromones often recommended for separation anxiety may help.
Can dogs have ADHD?
Some evidence does suggest dogs can display “ADHD-like behaviors,” including hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
However, current research doesn’t yet support ADHD as a diagnosis for dogs, or any other animals.
Is Hyperactivity Dangerous For Dogs?
In some cases, hyperactivity can affect a dog’s physical health.
Just like stress and anxiety, overstimulation and excess arousal can show up in your dog’s body, Hartstein says. He adds that it’s not healthy for dogs to stay excessively aroused continuously.
Excessive activity can also stress a younger dog’s bones and joints. Hyperactivity during the summer months can be a problem for brachycephalic breeds who have a higher risk of overheating.
“Get to know the signs of overheating,” Grottini says. “Panting and bright red gums are just a couple of signs.”
On hotter days, you can join a dog swim class to help curb their hyperactivity. Even a jump in the pool or lake can use up some of their energy, Grottini says.
The Most Hyper Dog Breeds
Some dog breeds are simply more active and energetic than others. While a Pug might happily nap a good portion of the day away, a Border Collie will probably be ready to go before you’ve even finished thinking about getting off your seat.
Dog breeds more likely to be hyperactive include:
- Cairn Terriers
- Jack Russell Terriers
- German Shepherds
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- Smooth Collies
- Border Collies
- Golden Retrievers
A dog’s energy levels are pretty individualized, though, so not all dogs of these breeds will necessarily be hyperactive—though they’ll probably be pretty active!
Hyperactivity At Different Life Stages
Certain stages of life and developmental experiences—especially the puppy and adolescent stages—naturally make it more difficult for a dog to pay attention, Hartstein says.
While some evidence suggests young male dogs are most likely to show hyperactivity, Dr. Butzer says you can’t predict that a male or female dog of any breed will be hyperactive. She adds that any dog in the working, sporting, or herding classes will have more energy and may prove something of a challenge for pet parents.
She says some hyperactive dogs may lose some of that hyperactivity around the age of 2, but they may not really calm down until age 5 or 6. “If you have any dog breed not considered a high-energy dog, their hyperactivity should calm down by 1 and a half years old.”
If your dog gets plenty of mental and physical activity and still has trouble settling down, a vet or trained dog behaviorist can offer more guidance with helping them find some chill.