If you have a new puppy, you may wonder if all puppies are hyperactive. While it may seem that all dog breeds can produce a hyper puppy, those frantic bursts of energy typically don’t last long. But you still may feel frustrated and wonder how to calm a hyper puppy.
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 wonder what on earth they are 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 puppy’s energy levels and calm hyper puppies.
Understand your hyper puppy’s energy level
- Understand your hyper puppy's energy level
- Create a daily routine for your puppy
- Use your dog's crate
- Provide exercise for energetic puppies
- Start training excitable puppies early
- Get suitable toys for hyper puppies
- Create activities for energetic puppies
- Start socializing a hyper puppy
- Mix up socialization
- Use mental stimulation to tire your hyper puppy
- Get a healthy puppy check-up
- Be patient and consistent
- Work with your hyper puppy to create a calm, confident dog
Dogs are full of energy, so understanding how much exercise they need is essential.
Depending on the breed, some dogs may need more than an hour of vigorous activity daily, while others may only need a short walk around the block.
Understanding puppy 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 need less.
You’re likely wondering how long puppies stay hyper or when they 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 — particularly high-energy breeds — can exhibit hyperactivity at any time but typically do so on days when they haven’t gotten enough daily exercise. Hyperactivity can also be a sign of boredom.
If you don’t tire your high energy dog out, it’s likely to find a way to do it independently.
Create a daily routine for your puppy
A daily routine is essential for puppies to know when to eat, play, and go to the bathroom.
Creating a daily 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 may wonder why your dog is so hyper at night. You should realize that sometimes your puppy’s energy bursts indicate that it is overstimulated or tired.
Your puppy can act like a toddler trying to stay awake.
When Nutmeg, my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, was a tiny puppy, she’d race around before naptime or bedtime. It was a sure sign she needed some downtime in her crate.
Use your dog’s crate
Crate train your puppy. Some dog owners hesitate to crate their dogs, thinking it’s cruel, but that’s not true.
Crate training can help promote calm behavior by using the crate to provide 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 can help your dog develop healthy sleep patterns and ensure your pup gets a good night’s sleep.
Crates also make it easy to transport your dog, whether 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 is essential for their health. If your puppy is full of energy, you must provide some outlets 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.
For many dogs, relaxation is impossible if they don’t get enough exercise.
Start training excitable puppies early
Obedience training is essential for all dogs but crucial for energetic puppies. A well-trained dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog makes a more satisfied owner.
For hyper dogs, focusing on basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down is imperative. 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. This class 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, choosing the right toys to help it burn off energy is essential. Otherwise, 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.
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 cones or 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.
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 a hyper puppy
Socializing your hyper puppy is one of the most important things you can do.
Wait to introduce your puppy to other dogs until it gets its initial vaccines.
Socialization is crucial for all puppies, especially hyperactive ones.
Introducing your puppy to new experiences, people, and other animals in a positive and controlled manner can help them become well-adjusted and confident adult dogs.
While managing your hyperactive puppy’s energy is essential, exposing them to various social situations is equally important.
This can include puppy classes, visits to the dog park, and supervised interactions with other friendly and vaccinated dogs.
Exposing your puppy to different environments, sounds, and objects can help reduce its anxiety and prevent future behavioral issues.
Always ensure your hyper puppy’s socialization experiences are positive and not overwhelming, gradually exposing it to new stimuli to build confidence.
Mix up socialization
Start with familiar places
Begin socializing your puppy in familiar, low-distraction environments like your backyard or a quiet park. This helps them feel safe while gradually introducing new stimuli.
Use positive reinforcement
Bring treats and toys to reward your puppy for calm behavior. If they stay calm and engaged, give them praise or a treat. This reinforces positive behavior in new situations.
Gradual exposure
Slowly introduce your puppy to new environments. Start with quieter places and gradually progress to busier areas, such as dog parks or crowded streets, as they become more comfortable.
Controlled meet-and-greets
Organize playdates with calm, well-socialized dogs. Keep the interactions short and monitor body language to ensure both dogs are comfortable.
Take puppy classes
Enroll your puppy in a well-structured puppy socialization class. These classes provide controlled environments for socialization and often include guidance from a professional trainer.
Frequent short outings
Take your puppy on frequent, short outings to different environments – pet stores, cafés with patio seating, or even busy streets. Keep trips short initially to prevent overstimulation.
Exposure to new people
Introduce your puppy to various people, including children, older people, and people wearing hats or carrying bags or umbrellas. Help your puppy learn that not everyone is a threat.
Sound desensitization
Play recordings of everyday noises (traffic, fireworks, crowds) at a low volume while engaging your puppy with toys or treats, gradually increasing the volume as it adjusts.
Use a leash and harness
A well-fitted harness and leash can control your puppy in new environments, making them feel secure while exploring.
Be patient and observant
Understand that every puppy is different. Be patient and let your puppy guide the socialization pace. Observe its comfort level and adjust accordingly.
Keep sessions short and fun
Limit the duration of outings to keep your puppy from becoming overwhelmed. End positively, even if it’s just a few minutes of exploration.
Make socialization part of your routine
Establish a routine for socialization. Frequent practice helps reinforce comfort and familiarity with various environments over time.
Use mental stimulation to tire your hyper 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 tire out your puppy physically and engage 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.
Games like tug-of-war, fetch, or “find the toy” can provide great mental and physical stimulation. Changing the rules or introducing new toys keeps these activities fresh and exciting.
Hide and seek
This classic game is fun and helps improve your puppy’s sense of smell and understanding of the environment. Start by hiding and calling your puppy to find you, or hide their favorite toy and let them search.
Training sessions
Frequent training sessions are a fantastic way to engage your puppy mentally. Teach them new tricks or reinforce basic commands. Keep sessions fun and varied to maintain their interest.
Obstacle course
Set up a simple obstacle course with pillows, boxes, and tunnels. Guide your puppy through the course and encourage them to explore different pathways, which also helps with their physical exercise.
Kong stuffing
Fill a Kong or similar toy with treats, peanut butter, or yogurt and freeze it. Your puppy will spend time working to get the goodies out, which can keep them occupied for a while.
Listening games
Play sounds or music at different volumes and encourage your puppy to react differently. This can help with their listening skills, and you can reward them for calm behavior.
Top dog challenge
Set challenges where your puppy has to figure out how to get a treat hidden under a cup or a piece of cloth. This requires them to think critically and develop better problem-solving skills.
Incorporating a combination of these activities into your puppy’s routine can help manage its energy levels, improve focus, and promote overall well-being.
Remember to introduce new challenges gradually and always provide positive reinforcement.
Get a healthy puppy check-up
While it’s unlikely your puppy’s hyperactivity is related to health issues, it’s always a good idea to ask your veterinarian.
You’ll have several vet appointments for your puppy’s vaccines in the first few months.
Take advantage of them and ask your vet questions about your puppy’s behavior.
Sometimes, it might make sense to medicate your puppy, so ask your vet about using Trazodone or adding CBD chews or CBD oil to its 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 also learn 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 use the same commands when training.
Stay calm, and never yell at your puppy.
Work with your hyper puppy to create a calm, confident dog
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 down your hyper puppy.
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.