Is your dog just full of boundless energy? Having a high energy dog might seem manageable at first. But it won’t take long for all that energy to start feeling a little overwhelming.
It’s totally normal to wonder if high energy dogs ever calm down a little. Or at what age they might get a little less energetic.
If your dog is still pretty young, then he probably just has a lot of puppy energy. When dogs are still puppies, they’re not necessarily very good at regulating their energy levels. You may find that your puppy is zooming around the house and it doesn’t seem like he’ll ever stop!
But what about as he gets older? Will your dog start to calm down?
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Do high energy dogs calm down with age?
The answer to this question is a little complicated, and depends on a lot of things. And that includes you! You’re a huge influence on your dog’s behavior.
Before we get into how you can help your high energy dog calm down, here are a few related articles to check out:
How to tell if your dog is high energy
If you have a high energy dog, then your dog will be pretty obvious about it!
If he’s bouncing around all the time and simply won’t calm down, you might be wondering if he might even be hyperactive. High energy and hyperactivity are actually two different things, so it’s important to know what they both mean.
Not sure if the signs your dog is exhibiting point toward hyperactivity? Take a look at these 9 hyperactive dog symptoms and how to help your dog calm down.
If you have a particularly high energy dog, then you’ll likely find that he needs a lot of daily stimulation before he can settle down. He’ll probably always be waiting for your next play session or walk, and he might get into trouble if he’s not getting the exercise he needs.
Making sure that your dog is getting the right amount of daily stimulation will help you with both high energy and hyperactive dogs.
At what age do high energy dogs calm down?
One of the most challenging parts of having a puppy is that they may have a hard time regulating their own energy levels.
You might find that your puppy is racing around the house with the zoomies—and might be dying to know when puppy witching hour stops.
If you’re struggling with your puppy’s high energy levels, then you’re probably wondering when he’s going to calm down.
The good news is that adult dogs are generally much calmer than puppies. Most dogs are considered full-grown adults at around a year old. However, when dogs start to calm down also depends on other factors besides age, like breed, and your dog’s individual personality.
Unfortunately, that means there’s no way to say for sure when high energy dogs might start to calm down. Thanks to breed, personality, or just individual health, some dogs are simply more energetic than others.
But your dog’s activity levels actually have a lot to do with you! Keeping up with consistent training and teaching your dog to calm down will help him settle down even faster.
How to help high energy dogs calm down
One of the most important things you can do for your high energy dog is to help him regulate his energy. Not only will this keep him out of trouble, but it will save your own sanity.
Here are a few tips that will help you.
Provide the right amount of physical stimulation
The most obvious thing you can do to help your dog settle down is give him some exercise. Physical activity will help tire out your dog, plus it’s super healthy for his body.
There are lots of super fun ways you can provide your dog with enough exercise. Walks, fetch, and tug are all great things you can try.
You might also want to think about signing your dog up for dog sports. If your dog is especially high energy, then this is a really good way to burn a lot of energy and build up your bond besides.
If you’re looking for some quick fixes for your dog’s high energy, then take a look at these 11 ways to tire out a dog (quickly).
Just make sure you’re not giving your dog too much exercise. For more information, check out these 10 overtired puppy symptoms and what to do about it.
Provide the right amount of mental stimulation
Physical exercise isn’t the only way you should be challenging your dog. You should also work his brain.
Mental stimulation will help prevent your dog from getting bored. And the good news is that mental stimulation is super rewarding too! It also doesn’t take that much to give your dog the brain exercise he needs.
There are lots of really fun things you can try with your dog if you’re looking to provide him with some mental stimulation.
Take a look at these 10 brain games for dogs to play at home if you’re looking for some new things to try.
Mental stimulation can also be a wonderful training tool if used correctly. Check out Braintrainingfordogs to learn how to train your dog to be the best dog he can be by using mental stimulation! Or have a look at Dogpackr’s review first to see if it’s a fit for you and your dog!
Set up a daily schedule
A routine is one of the best things you can give your dog. Dogs do their best when they have a routine. Knowing what they can expect each day and when they can expect it will help your dog settle down. As he gets to know his routine, he’ll start to understand what times of day are for playing and what times of day are for relaxing.
When you first set up your routine, don’t expect your dog’s behavior to change right away. It can take a little while to get used to a new schedule! Just be consistent and your dog will learn what his daily routine is.
And you’ll be shocked at the difference it makes in his behavior!
Teach him to relax
Your dog will likely start to calm down as he gets older. He’ll start losing that puppy energy, and he’ll learn how to manage his own energy levels.
Or at least, he should! But the truth is that you can’t depend on age alone. You play a huge role in your dog’s ability to calm down and relax.
This is actually a skill that you should be teaching your dog.
The best way to work on teaching calmness is with positive reinforcement dog training. Whenever your dog chooses to quietly relax somewhere instead of running around the house, reward that behavior. With consistency, your dog will understand that calmness is a good thing!
Crate train him
Some dogs have a hard time settling down. For these dogs, crate training might help a lot.
Crate training your high energy dog will be especially helpful if he has a hard time being alone. Dogs with excess energy tend to get into a lot of trouble. But if you’re away from the house, you won’t be able to supervise him.
Your dog’s crate will also offer him a nice, quiet place where he can go to relax.
Wondering how to crate train your dog? Here’s how to crate train a dog easily in 13 steps.
Related questions
You might have a few more questions about high energy dogs—especially if your dog or puppy also seems anxious or aggressive, not just hyper. Here are some answers.
What to do as a low energy person with a high energy dog?
If you’ve found yourself with a super high energy dog but you’re a low energy person, you might feel like you’re a bit at a loss.
Luckily, there are ways you can manage your dog’s energy. Consider going on longer walks, and incorporating more mental activities to help him settle down.
Organizing doggy play dates with friends will also help burn energy. Plus, it will keep your dog’s socialization skills high, which is really important.
There are lots of treat toys and food puzzles that you can give your dog that will also help keep him busy.
How to calm down a dog with anxiety
Dog anxiety can be a real challenge to deal with. If you have an especially anxious dog, then finding ways to keep him calm is important.
Wondering what you can do for your dog? Here’s how to calm a stressed dog naturally.
If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, then there are lots of ways you can help him with that. Check out these articles for some more information:
- 9 Signs and Symptoms for Separation Anxiety in Dogs
- How to Crate Train a Dog with Separation Anxiety
- Do Puppies Grow Out of Separation Anxiety?
Why is my puppy so hyper and aggressive?
Is your puppy biting you and barking all the time?
If you’re worried about puppy aggression, then the most important thing is to understand what exactly aggression is. Many dogs get labeled as aggressive when really they’re just directing their energy to the wrong places.
If you’re looking for more information on puppy aggression, take a look at these articles:
Conclusion
A high energy dog can be a pretty frustrating experience. But if your dog seems like he’s never going to settle down, don’t give up. With your help, your dog can learn that being calm is actually a good thing.
Just provide your dog with the right amount of daily stimulation, set up a routine, and keep up with training. In time, you’ll find yourself with a well-behaved dog—and you’ll save your own sanity too!
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