How To Calm A Hyper Dog - 5 Tips For Hyperactive Dogs

Let’s face it, dogs can be a real handful at times. As much as we love them and their boundless energy, it can be tough to rein them in. More likely than not, we’ve all seen a hyper pooch wreck furniture, tear up the garden, and jump all over everyone. There are many ways to calm an energetic dog and some are more natural than others. So, how can you naturally calm a hyper dog? Many owners find success by creating structure and stimulating their dog’s mind, along with plenty of exercise and natural supplements.

 

 

How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Hyper?

First thing’s first, it’s important that we take a moment to define some terms. Hyper is shorthand for hyperactivity.  Excess energy may be normal for the age and breed of a dog, but some dogs overactivity can be due to abnormal conditions such as anxiety or hyperkinesis.

 

Famed animal behaviorist Karen Overall writes in her book Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals that actual clinical hyperactivity, sometimes referred to as hyperkinesis, is fairly rare. Your dog may be suffering from hyperkinesis if you see all of the following symptoms:

 

1. Frenetic activity
2. Impulsive behavior, such as the inability to turn off play when the ball goes away
3. Inability to relax completely, even when the environment is quiet and familiar
4. Being overly reactive to regular stimuli, such as food, noises, or people
5. An inability to focus on any task and an especially short attention span
6. Physiological symptoms like elevated heart rate and heavy breathing, even when not active

 

Hyperkinesis is basically the canine form of human ADHD! However, it’s more likely that your dog is hyperactive due to an energetic personality or possibly anxiety. Regardless of the root cause, hyperactivity can be frustrating to deal with, so let’s examine some things that you can do to counter this exhausting behavior and calm your hyper dog.

 

 

 

 

Why Are Some Dogs So Hyper?

It’s important to understand genetics and environment play a role in all types of behavior, including hyperactivity.  However, hyperkinesis is a congenital condition that must be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian. In other words, hyperkinetic dogs seem to be born with this abnormality and it requires fairly intensive treatment with amphetamine-type drugs along with behavior modification. Interesting, these are precisely the same medications used in humans.

 

However, the other reasons for a hyper dog are more varied, including:

 

 

The Dog’s Individual Personality

There are just some dogs that are bursting with energy while other ones are lazy all day, every day. Ultimately, most dogs will mellow with age, but their current surplus of energy may be proving very difficult for you as a pet owner.

 

 

Stress

Nervous behaviors can be defined as negative anticipation or worrying about an event.  Many dogs behave with hesitation when anxious, but it is important to recognize that other dogs may react with increased fidgeting such as pacing, scratching, sniffing, panting, jumping, or acting “stubborn” which is really an inability to focus on their owners or task.  It can be difficult to distinguish anxious energy from the other types because the source of the anxiety is not always present or easy for the owners to identify.

 

 

External Stimuli

If a dog has too little or too much stimulation, it can end up going a little stir-crazy. Ultimately, you want to provide your dog with enough activity to keep them occupied but not so much that they become frustrated or overly tired.  Like human toddlers, overtired dogs can paradoxically show hyperactive behavior.

 

 

Not Enough Physical Activity

This is enormously important; remember, while dogs are great additions to our families, they are still animals with the instinct to search and hunt. Genetically speaking, they’re not very far from wolves and therefore have the urge to spend much of their day seeking out their meals.  By confining dogs to houses, even with yards, and placing all their food in bowls, we limit the exercise of their body and minds.

 

 

 

 

Type of Breed

Additionally, the type of breed is also crucial. Let’s take a moment to list the 15 most hyper breeds according to AKC.org, in alphabetical order:

 

1. Australian shepherd
2. Beagle
3. Border Collie
4. Dalmatian
5. English Springer Spaniel
6. German Shepherd
7. Golden Retriever
8. Irish Setter
9. Labrador Retriever
10. Miniature Pinscher
11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
12. Poodle
13. Russel Terrier
14. Shetland Sheepdog
15. Siberian Husky

 

Notice any similarities? Well, they’re all working dogs! That means that their original purpose was to perform a very active job, often for long periods of time. Most of those jobs were related to highly physical tasks, such as herding, hunting, retrieving, sled-pulling, and so on. Although statistically very few individual dogs perform these activities in modern western culture, genetics has not caught up, and the dogs still have tons of energy that used to be devoted to these jobs.

 

 

5 Ways How To Calm A Hyper Dog

So now that we’ve established the different causes of hyperactivity, how do you calm a hyper dog down? This question is important because ultimately most dogs have normal or mildly stressed hyper behavior. Remember, clinical hyperactivity, or hyperkinesis, in dogs is exceedingly rare – much rarer than, say, ADHD in humans.

 

So let’s go over 5 different ways you can calm a hyper dog down:

 

 

#1 Exercise Releases Energy

This is a big one; exercise will go a long way in calming your hyper dog down. A long walk in the morning, anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, and then a shorter one in the evening, 15 to 30 minutes, is honestly the minimum amount of time for most healthy dogs regardless of breed.  In a pinch, breaking aerobic activity into multiple short bursts throughout the day will work as well.

 

 

#2 Create Structure and Predictability

A source of stress can be not knowing what to expect.  Create routine and predictability by building some basic structure in your dog’s daily activities, and, even more importantly, in the way you interact with your dog.  A commonly used technique to help you with this is asking your dog to perform a simple task prior to being given any resource. For example, ask a simple “sit” prior to affection from you, access to furniture, toys, or food.  No need to be a stern drill sergeant.  The dog doesn’t sit, the resource isn’t granted. Set your rules about this and stick to them in a calm manner. Getting angry often backfires and escalates tensions.

 

 

#3 Use Obedience/Training to Calm a Hyper Dog

Think about what you would like the dog to do when it is annoying you or acting out of control.  Go to her crate? Sit on a dog bed across the room?  Make sure this is a very reliable cue when the dog is calm.  A good dog trainer, such as a member of the Certified Pet Dog Trainers Association (CPDT-KA) can help with this.  Any training using reward-based methods improves your bond with your dog and increases the chances she will listen to you in stressful or hyper moods.

 

 

#4 Toys/Puzzles Stimulate the Mind

Food puzzles provide outlets for chewing and mental stimulation.  Get puzzle toys like Kongs, Bob-a-lots, or Buster Cubes, fill them with your dog’s food, and then have them manipulate the toy to get a little piece of food. These will keep your dog occupied much longer than bowl feeding, and work out some of that excess energy!

 

 

#5 Supplements Can Calm a Hyper Dog

There are many calming supplements/treats on the market, but the most promising have cannabidiol (CBD). When CBD interacts with dogs' cannabinoid receptors, it helps to support their endocannabinoid system. This system regulates many of their bodies' functions, including the nervous system, which is how CBD can assist in naturally calming pups.

 

By administering an appropriate dose to your hyperactive dog, they can reap the calming benefits of CBD — we suggest between 0.25 mg (regular dose) to 0.5 mg (strong dose) of CBD per every 1 lb. of bodyweight.

 

Aside from more traditional crunchy dog treats, there are many other effective CBD products for dogs on the market! Products can include:

 

• Chewy soft treats for older dogs or those with sensitive tummies or teeth
• CBD oil tincture, which can be administered directly or added into food or water
• Hemp powder capsules, which are pre-dosed and very portable for those who like to go on adventures
• Topical products, like salves or CBD shampoo for dogs
• And more!

 

Common natural ingredients found in CBD pet treats can also include flaxseed and hemp seed powder. Along with being great for dogs' bodies and overall nutritional health, these active ingredients also work along with CBD to help your pup relax, along with many other calming agents.

 

We've listed some of the most common calming agents found in dog-calming supplements and broken down how they can help below!

 

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid that is commonly found in fungal plant species, like tea or mushrooms! Studies have shown that L-theanine can help aid those who struggle with insomnia, anxiety, and other stress. It's also been proven to help boost overall immunity, reduce inflammation, encourage proper digestion, and more.

 

Valerian Root

Valerian root, which contains valerenic acid, has been used to help with sleep for centuries — and by centuries, we mean as early as 500 B.C.! Early records from Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen show that valerian root was used to help treat insomnia. Though it has been used to treat many other ailments through time, it's most known for its tranquilizing and calming properties.

 

Chamomile

Though chamomile is most commonly found in tea, its compounds can be isolated and formulated for many different uses. From eye infections to sciatica, this herb has been hailed for its healing abilities for thousands of years. One of chamomile's most well-known benefits is its ability to aid anxiety or those struggling with insomnia or other sleep disturbances. No wonder pet companies love using it in food and treats to help boost pet wellness!

 

L-Tryptophan

Did you know that your body can turn L-tryptophan into serotonin and melatonin? This amino acid is crucial to the body and helps make proteins and other important chemicals that can help regulate things like mood patterns and sleep cycles. Unfortunately, mammal bodies cannot create tryptophan on their own — that's why it's so important to make sure it's included in our pets' (and our own) diets.

 

Passionflower

Passionflower (or P. incarnata) is a vining plant that produces vibrant, purple flowers. Originally used by Native Americans, more recent studies have shown its ability to help with anxiety, sleep troubles, and various stomach issues.

 

 

 

 

#6 Don't Motivate Or Encourage Excitement 

It can be tempting to greet their enthusiasm with lots of love, pets, and affection when dogs are excited. Unfortunately, what this does is encourage the dog's hyper behavior. By petting them and giving them words of affirmation when they jump on you or run around you in circles, you're telling them that their unwanted behaviors are good and that they should do them more often.

 

Instead of accidentally rewarding your dog when they're overly excited, try ignoring them until they calm down — this means no talking or addressing them! Once they've calmed down, you can greet them and give them as many pets as you please.

 

 

#7 Reward And Encourage Calm Behavior 

One of the easiest ways to teach your dog to continue behaving in a calm and collected manner is by rewarding them when they're relaxed. Instead of giving your dog lots of attention when they're hyper, try showing them the most affection when they're calm. This will reinforce their calm behavior and teach them that they'll be rewarded if they continue to behave that way.

 

Treats can also be really helpful when training your dog through positive enforcement! We suggest keeping a bag of CBD Dog Treats + Calming Relief nearby so that you can reward your pup for their best behavior.

 

#8 Provide Calming Scents

Did you know that a dog's primary sense is its sense of smell? Unlike humans, who only have 5 million nose receptors, dogs have about 220 million receptors. By engaging your dog's nose receptors through nose work, you can help ease their nerves and calm them into a more relaxed mood.

 

Try associating different calming scents with calm areas of the house (for example, near where they sleep, if they have a crate they spend time in through the day, in your bedroom, etc.). By doing this, you'll be able to help calm your dog down by exposing them to the scent.

 

If you're unsure what scents to start with, a study from 2018 found that scents like vanilla, ginger, coconut, and valerian root all "have significant positive effects on stress indicators in dogs." Whether you use air fresheners, dryer sheets, perfumes, or essential oils, these scents are sure to help your dog unwind.

 

Alternatively, if you don't want to purchase a scented product, try using an old pajama shirt to help ease your pup. You are your dog's best friend and protector, and your scent is familiar of home. By giving them an article of clothing or blanket that smells like you, you're likely to help them feel more comfortable wherever they are — whether that be the car, at the vet's, in a traveling crate, or any other spot that may make them feel unease.

 

Disclaimer About Essential Oil Usage

It's important to note that some essential oils are toxic to pets. Oils like cinnamon, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, ylang-ylang, citrus, pennyroyal, tea tree, and wintergreen can cause adverse reactions if ingested or placed on a pet's body. We highly recommend researching scented products before buying anything new for your pup so that you will only purchase items that are pet-safe.

 

If you're unsure about whether a scent will be safe for your dog, give a call to your vet or another licensed healthcare professional.

 

 

#9 Be Calm Around Your Dog

Are you an excited or loud person? Do you often respond to your dog's excitement by shouting? If so, it's possible that this could be contributing to your dog's hyperactivity. When dogs are shouted at, it can increase their excitement rather than help them to relax. And when your dog is performing an action that you don't like — whether that be jumping up at you or begging — you want to be able to stop them quickly and efficiently, not encourage them.

 

One of the best ways to form good training habits is using firm, short commands. Dogs can only register so many syllables at a time, so shorter commands like "no," "stop," "wait," or "hold" are easier for them to understand and remember.

 

Dogs also remember gestures well! One great way to utilize commands and gestures in training is by practicing when walking with your dog. Before crossing a street with a stop sign, try holding your arm out in front of your dog and firmly telling them to "wait" before allowing them to "go" when it's safe. They'll soon associate an outward arm with "waiting" and recognize how they should behave when they see that physical command.

 

Remember that dogs are pack animals, so how you behave around them will influence their responses to you!

 

 

Can I Use Melatonin To Calm My Hyper Dog 

While melatonin can be administered to help calm your dog, serious symptoms can occur due to overuse. It's unlikely that your dog can overdose on melatonin. Still, they may experience vomiting, diarrhea, heavy drowsiness, insulin resistance (in dogs with diabetes), troubles with digestion, and even increased heart rate. Because of this, it's crucial that you reach out to a vet before deciding to give your dog melatonin.

 

Before choosing to use melatonin, there are other kinds of products available that may help calm your dogs and help them achieve a better night's rest:

 

• CBD oil tinctures: Broad-spectrum oil tinctures can be easily added to your dog's food bowl or given directly to help a high-energy dog calm down more quickly. Along with CBD, it contains beneficial terpenes, and the oil dropper makes dosing much easier, too!

 

• CBD hemp extract capsules: These small capsules contain CBD and hemp seed powder. They're super portable and can be hidden within a treat or popped open to be mixed in with food.

 

At HolistaPet, we carry both CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats and CBD Capsules for Dogs & Cats, along with many other CBD treats that can help any active dog have a more laid-back day. Check out our shop to see what else we have in store for hyper dogs!

 

 

Applying Multiple Strategies

Implementing these 5 strategies is an excellent way to calm your dog down. Furthermore, you can also adhere to the American Kennel Club’s concept of STAR that they use to educate dog owners on how to best raise dogs. STAR is an acronym that stands for:

 

1. Socialization
2. Training
3. Activity
4. Responsible owner

 

This entire STAR philosophy can be helpful when dealing with a hyper dog. Granted, it won’t singlehandedly solve the problem, but if properly integrated with the 5 tips above, you just may end up with a calm, collected, and cool dog. Don’t give up hope; there is help for almost any hyperactive dog. Read more here.

 

 

Final Thoughts - How To Calm A Hyper Puppies & Dogs

 

Hyperactive dogs can sometimes be cute, but they can be difficult to manage more often than not. Fortunately, there are many ways to calm hyper dogs! Whether through mental and physical exercise, use of puzzle toys, training time, implementation of supplements or tasty CBD treats, or a combination of methods, no hyper pup has to remain hyper forever.

 

Are you a dog owner looking to help your pup burn off some excess energy? Check out HolistaPet's Blog for more helpful tips, tricks, and practices. Or check out these guides for any other breed you're interested in.