Puppyhood comes with a huge learning curve for your new puppy and for you as a new dog owner. While they learn about the world and how to interact with it, you need to learn about the best food and training supplies and figure out an exercise routine that will keep your dog happy.
Managing your puppy’s energy level isn’t always easy, especially after a long, exhausting day at work. When you just want to sit and relax, your puppy’s hyperactivity can be a chore to deal with, especially when it ends with sharp and often painful bites because your puppy just wants to play.
Hyperactivity is a common issue. Fortunately, knowing the causes can help you encourage your puppy to calm down. Here are common reasons for hyperactive puppies and tips on how to help them overcome it.
The 9 Reasons for Hyperactivity in Puppies
1. Lack of Exercise or Entertainment
Puppies burn energy by exploring and playing, but there comes a point when they run out of things to do. They need a variety of toys, activities, and walks to manage their energy, or they might get bored or frustrated about having nothing to entertain themselves with.
Boredom and frustration often result in destructive behavior or aggression, but it can also be shown through how much trouble your puppy gets into by zooming around the house. If they don’t have an acceptable target for their energy, like a good chew toy, all that pent-up energy will be released by barking, running around, or jumping up at you and your guests.
2. Overtired
While boredom can be a cause of hyperactivity, the opposite is also true. Puppies that have too much to do can also be prone to hyperactivity. When they get too tired and don’t understand that they need a nap, their discomfort will make them frustrated. While they might chew through your favorite shoes, they can also become hyper.
You need to find a careful balance between not enough activity and too much. This will become easier the more you get to know your dog and the more familiar you become with their energy levels. Give them plenty of activities to do, including training sessions, but don’t forget to give them regular quiet times, too. This will give them a chance to cool off, relax, and get in a quick nap to recharge.
3. Attention Seeking
They might be small, but puppies are like sponges when it comes to learning new things. With treats, affection, and dedication, your puppy will pick up all sorts of things, including behavior that you might not mean to encourage.
Puppies love to have your attention, whether it’s in treat form or affection. If you pay attention to your puppy every time they get overexcited during playtime, they’ll see it as positive reinforcement, even if you’re trying to tell them to stop. The next time they feel neglected, they may try being hyperactive because they know that it’ll get your attention.
Encourage calm behavior by interacting with your puppy when they’re playing gently or relaxed. If they get overexcited, make yourself less interesting. Stop pulling on the tug toy and step away. It’s a challenge, but it’s worth it to teach your puppy when enough is enough.
4. Breed
All puppies are full of energy when they’re young, but the amount of energy packed into their tiny body can vary depending on their breed. A working dog like the Border Collie will have far more energy than a more sedate breed like the French Bulldog. While the breed’s size can play a part, the original purpose of the breed is important to consider, too.
Consider Border Collies as an example. They were bred to herd sheep all day, every day. To this end, they need plenty of energy and an almost endless amount of stamina. This trait makes them one of the best herding breeds in the world, but they’re renowned for being relentless when it comes to their energy levels. A puppy might have less stamina than an adult Border Collie, but they’ll still have a large amount of energy for you to manage.
5. Diet
Sometimes, your puppy’s hyperactivity might not be because of their breed or the fact that they’re overstimulated. Instead, it might be a result of what they eat. The food that your dog eats will impact all their systems, from their digestive system to their brain development. It can even make a difference in their sleep cycle, energy levels, and skin health.
A healthy, high-quality diet will help your puppy grow and support natural energy levels and health. Conversely, the wrong diet might contain an excess of ingredients, often high protein, which can result in hyperactivity. It’s important to carefully research the nutrition that your dog needs and check the ingredients in their food with your vet.
6. Lack of Training
Obedience training isn’t just a way to encourage your dog to listen to you; it also teaches them how to manage their behavior. The same is true for socialization.
The more exposure your dog has, the more comfortable they will be with people, other pets, and various stimuli. Without proper training, a puppy may not understand how to react in different situations, leading to overexcited behavior. It is important to teach them acceptable behavior early on to avoid issues as they grow older.
Hyperactivity in puppies can sometimes be attributed to underlying health problems, so it is essential to monitor their behavior and consult a veterinarian if necessary. Puppies may also become hyper when they need to go to the bathroom, especially when they are still learning about their bodies.
Most of a puppy’s hyperactivity is simply due to their young age and energy levels. As they mature, they will learn to control themselves better. Providing them with adequate exercise, training, and mental stimulation can help manage their energy levels and prevent hyperactivity.
To prevent hyperactivity in puppies, consider their breed and lifestyle needs before bringing them home. Providing them with physical and mental activities throughout the day can help manage their energy levels. Reinforcing calm behavior and working on training can also help teach them appropriate behavior in different situations. Keeping their mind active is essential for puppies as they grow out of their boundless energy levels. As they learn to control themselves, they’ll transition into a more settled and mature state, typically between 1 and 2 years old, depending on their breed. The more time you spend with your dog, the better you’ll understand their needs, allowing you to create a routine that matches their activity level and recognize when they are restless or bored. Some breeds are naturally calmer and less hyperactive than others, while more active breeds will maintain high energy levels throughout their lives. Building a tailored routine for them is crucial, along with selecting a puppy that aligns with your family’s lifestyle. It’s important to address the factors contributing to your puppy’s hyperactivity, such as overstimulation, tiredness, boredom, diet, or health issues, to adjust their schedule accordingly. The customer’s feedback was positive.