Transform your hyper puppy with these 10 calming strategies

If you have a new puppy, you may wonder are all puppies hyper? While it may seem all dogs produce hyperactive puppies, those frantic bursts of energy typically don’t last long.

If your pup is bouncing off the walls, you’re not alone.

Many puppies have loads of energy, which can make them seem hyper. Even adult dogs occasionally exhibit dog zoomies.

When your dog suddenly starts running around in circles at top speed, you may have wondered what on earth they were doing.

This phenomenon is known as “dog zoomies” or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), and it’s pretty normal (and cute!)

While it’s normal for puppies to be high-energy, there are ways to help your furry friend burn off steam.

Having a hyper puppy can be exhausting, but there are ways to cope. Here are 11 tips to help you manage your pup’s energy levels and calm hyperactive dogs.

Understand your dog’s energy level

Dogs are full of energy, and it’s important to understand just how much exercise they need.

Depending on the breed, some dogs may need more than an hour of vigorous activity every day, while others may only need a short walk around the block.

Understanding your dog’s energy level can help them stay healthy and happy.

For example, high-energy breeds like Australian Shepherds, Border Collies and Siberian Huskies require more exercise, while low-energy breeds like Greyhounds, Basset Hounds and French Bulldogs will need less.

You’re likely wondering how long do puppies stay hyper or when do puppies stop being hyper?

For most puppies, those frantic bursts of energy end between six months and a year.

But you need to know some older dogs — especially high-energy breeds — can exhibit hyperactivity at any time but typically do so on days when they haven’t gotten enough exercise.

If you don’t tire your dog out, chances are good it’ll find a way to do it independently.

Create a daily routine for your puppy

A daily routine is essential for puppies to know when it is time to eat, play, and go to the bathroom.

Creating a schedule will also help you bond with your puppy.

To create a daily routine for your puppy, start by waking up at the same time each day and taking them outside to go potty.

Then, feed them breakfast and let them out to play. After an hour or two of playtime, it’s time for a nap. When your puppy wakes up, head outside again and then feed dinner.

End the night with some more playtime before putting them in their crate for bed.

You also should realize sometimes your puppy’s energy bursts are a sign they are overstimulated or tired. Just like a toddler who tries to keep himself awake, your puppy can do the same thing.

Use your dog’s crate

Crate train your puppy. Some dog owners are hesitant to crate their dogs, thinking it’s cruel, but that’s not the case. Crates can help promote calm behavior by providing a safe, cozy space where your dog can relax or sleep.

Dogs naturally seek out small, enclosed spaces, so crates fulfill this instinctual need. When used correctly, crates can speed up potty training, reduce separation anxiety, and prevent destructive behaviors like chewing and excessive barking.

Crates also make it easy to transport your dog, whether taking them on a trip or to the vet.

And if you ever need to leave your dog home alone, they’ll be much less likely to get into trouble if you use a crate.

Provide exercise for energetic puppies

Dogs need exercise, just like people, and giving them enough physical activity to stay healthy is essential. If your puppy is full of energy, you’ll need to provide some outlets for them to burn off that excess energy.

Taking them on walks or runs is a great way to start, and you can gradually increase the distance as they age. You can also look into dog sports or other activities like flyball, agility, or tracking.

Whatever you do, ensure you’re providing enough exercise for your pup so they can live their best lives.

Start training excitable puppies early

Obedience training is essential for all dogs, but it is crucial for puppies full of energy. A well-trained dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog makes a more satisfied owner.

For hyper dogs, it is imperative to focus on basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. You can help your puppy learn these crucial skills with patience and consistency.

Sit and stay are especially helpful with hyper puppies. Getting them to focus on you and the command will help burn off some extra energy.

Keep puppy training sessions short; five minutes is usually good to start. But you can include multiple sessions throughout the day. Just make them fun and stop if your puppy shows any signs of frustration.

After your puppy’s initial shots, you can sign up for a puppy class at obedience school, which will help your puppy master basic commands and provide socialization.

You can also play impulse control games with your puppy to teach patience and good manners.

Get suitable toys for hyper puppies

If you have a hyper puppy, it’s essential to choose the right toys to help them burn off energy. If you don’t, you risk your puppy developing bad habits like excessive barking, digging, chewing, or scratching.

Some great toys for hyper puppies include chew, puzzle, and fetch toys.

Chew toys can help puppies teethe and also keep them amused. Puzzle toys are great for mental stimulation, and fetch toys are perfect for active puppies who love running and playing.

Create activities for energetic puppies

If you have an energetic puppy, there are several things you can do to help burn off that energy.

One is to create an obstacle course in your backyard or living room. This can be as simple as setting up some cones or other objects to jump over or weave around.

Another activity you can do with your pup is play fetch; this will help them get the exercise they need while also teaching them to retrieve objects.

Take advantage of your dog’s senses. Use puzzle toys or create a game of hide and seek using a few treats. Place the treats behind or under other items and let your puppy sniff them out.

You can also keep your pup busy with a lick mat or Kong toy. Licking is soothing for puppies. Just be sure to use safe substances like peanut butter without artificial sweeteners. Kong makes spreadable dog-safe cheese and peanut butter.

Start socializing hyper puppies

Expose hyper puppies to as many different people, places, and experiences as possible so they can learn to cope with change and new situations.

Socializing your hyper puppy is one of the most important things you can do.

Expose puppies to as many different people, places, and experiences as possible so they can learn to cope with change and new situations.

Wait to introduce your puppy to other dogs until it gets its initial vaccines.

Use mental stimulation to tire your puppy

One of the most effective ways to calm down a hyperactive puppy is by providing them with mental stimulation. 

Puppies are naturally curious and full of energy, but they can quickly become overexcited and destructive without proper outlets for their mental and physical needs. 

Enrichment activities tires out your puppy physically and engages their mind, making them feel fulfilled and content.

Finding activities that suit your puppy’s personality and preferences is crucial. 

Rotate different mental stimulation activities regularly so your puppy doesn’t get bored or frustrated with repetitive tasks. 

Watch your puppy to find the activities that work best. 

Puzzle toys

Puzzle toys are perfect for puppies as they combine playtime with problem-solving skills. These interactive toys usually involve hiding treats or kibble inside compartments that the puppy has to figure out how to access. 

This activity keeps your pup mentally engaged while satisfying their instinct to forage.

Scent games

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so using this ability in games can be mentally stimulating and tiring for puppies. 

You can hide treats around the house or yard for them to sniff out or even purchase specific scent-detection toys designed for dogs.

Snuffle mat

A snuffle mat, fabric strips, or felt pieces that hide small treats give your pup a chance to sniff to find them.

Interactive games

Many interactive games designed for dogs involve pushing buttons or pulling levers to receive a treat or toy reward. These games provide mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.

Get a healthy puppy check-up

While it’s unlikely your puppy’s hyperactivity is related to any health issues, it’s always a good idea to ask your vet.

You’ll have several vet appointments for your puppy’s vaccines in the first few months.

Take advantage of them and ask your vet any questions about your puppy’s behavior.

In some cases, it might make sense to medicate your puppy, so ask your vet about using Trazodone or adding CBD chews of CBD oil to your puppy’s diet.

Be patient and consistent

Hyper puppies are a lot of fun but can also be a handful.

Like all dogs, they need plenty of exercise, but they also need to learn how to focus and be calm.

With patience and consistency, you can help your hyper puppy learn how to be the best dog it can be.

Dogs love repetition and learn best that way, so be sure to use the same commands when training.

Stay calm and never yell at your puppy.

Work with hyper puppies to create calm, confident dogs

Puppies are so much fun, but they can also be a handful.

Each dog is different, so it’s essential to experiment with different strategies to see what works best for your pup.

Try some of these strategies if you struggle to calm your dog.

With patience and training, you’ll have a well-behaved pup in no time.

Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.