Some dogs are just naturally excitable and full of energy, but knowing what calms dogs down is the key to keeping your hyper dog under control. Let’s take a look at how to calm a hyper dog with some simple training and management tricks.
How To Calm a Hyperactive Dog?
Is your dog full of energy and difficult to control? While an attack of the zoomies is normal for most dogs, long bouts of hyper behavior can soon become a problem.
If you’re in a situation where you quickly need to get your hyperactive dog under control, the best technique is to restrain them on a leash and walk briskly until your dog settles down. Don’t attempt to force your dog to sit or stay during a period of hyperactivity, as this will lead to pent-up energy in the long term.
This short-term tactic is a great way to deal with hyper behavior, but it won’t stop it from recurring in the future. But with some careful training, you can help your dog learn better ways to express their excitement and reduce those hyper explosions to a minimum.
How to keep a dog calm
Many dogs are naturally excitable animals, and we need to teach them the art of relaxation. One of the best training methods for a hyper dog is called ‘impulse control’, where they learn commands such as ‘stay’ and ‘wait’. Using dog treats during training is a great way to reward calm behavior.
If your dog is very receptive to training, you can also redirect their energy into activities such as agility, searching, or problem-solving games. Many dogs are hyper because they are bored and unfulfilled, so by keeping your dog’s mind busy they will be less inclined to zoom around like a crazy hound.
It is also important to check that your dog’s daily routine is not contributing to their hyper behavior. Active adult dogs need at least 90 minutes of mental and physical activity every day. If your dog is not getting this, then excitable behavior is inevitable. If your dog is particularly hyper at home, you may need to provide indoor activities such as puzzle balls or snuffle mats to keep them occupied.
Wherever possible, try to stick to a consistent routine with your dog. Uncertainty can lead to hyperactive behavior, as your dog tries to anticipate their next meal or exercise period. Remember that play sessions and training are much more tiring for your dog than a walk on the leash, so incorporate these into your schedule as much as you can.
And finally, take a moment to review your dog’s diet. While commercial pet foods will not normally contribute to hyper behavior, many treats – particularly doggy ice-creams – are full of sugar which will cause a spike in energy levels. So, if your dog is prone to periods of high excitement, stick to healthier snacks such as carrot sticks instead
What Can I Give My Dog to Calm Him Down?
When behavioral training just isn’t doing the trick, there are some calming supplements for pets that may help. Herbal supplements are available online or from pet food stores, or your veterinarian may be able to provide prescription medication to calm your dog.
Before embarking on medication to calm your dog, it is advisable to consult with your veterinarian and a qualified pet behaviorist first. This will help rule out any health issues that lead to hyper behavior, and also ensure your training methods are not contributing to the problem.
Summary
Helping a hyper dog to learn to calm down is a slow but rewarding process, as you celebrate every little milestone that your excitable pooch achieves. While dogs express their joy in life through their energetic play, we can help them redirect this energy into more acceptable forms of behavior.
