German Shepherds calm down around the age of 5 but don’t expect them to sleep and lay around all day. This breed is generally energetic and will maintain a high level of energy through most of their life. Of course, this will vary dramatically from dog to dog.
Is your German Shepherd bouncing off the walls, and you’re wondering how long this behavior will last? A lot of dog owners wonder “when do German Shepherds calm down”? Their breed is one of the most energetic and hyper breeds compared to other dogs.
German Shepherd dogs do eventually calm down with age, but not as soon as you might think. Is your German Shepherd still very hyper even though they are getting older, and you are wondering when do German Shepherds calm down? We will discuss all of these concerns regarding your German Shepherd’s behavior.
How Do I Get My German Shepherd to Calm Down?
Knowing when do German Shepherds calm down and how to calm them down is essential in being an owner of this type of breed.
Give Your German Shepherd Attention
Giving your German Shepherd attention will help calm it down. You might have a hyper german shepherd on your hands if you are not giving it the attention it needs. Your dog will feel like it can calm down and be less excitable if they realize you are interested in making him feel loved.
You can give your dog attention by feeding, training, playing, walking, or simply talking to them. Dogs thrive off of attention from their owners, and you will see a difference in their behavior after giving them some extra attention and affection.
Set a Routine Exercise Schedule
Setting a routine exercise schedule in your dog’s daily life will do wonders for your German Shepherd. Exercise helps decrease their anxiety and is a natural way for your pup to feel calmer.
Like humans, dogs receive endorphins after exercise, which allow them to feel happy. Allowing your dog to exercise daily is a great way to improve your German Shepherd’s mood and help them be less hyper. Some suitable forms of exercise for your dog include walking, playing fetch, hiking, swimming, dog sports, and obedience training.
Try Giving Your Dog a Calming Aid
If you want to keep your German Shepherd calm a calming aid, Like Harmony can help promote a calm and stress-free mindset in less than 90 minutes. Harmony is made from clinically proven ingredients, adaptogens, and nootropics to support a healthy stress response in your dog’s body.
The great thing about Harmony is that it is non-drowsy, so your pup won’t get tired. It’s an excellent way for German Shepherds to feel relieved from their stress and anxiety without having to resort to harsh medication.
Mentally and Physically Stimulate Your Dog
Physical stimulation is known to help wear out your dog so it can calm down and eventually become tired. Mental stimulation is often forgotten about, and dogs need mental stimulation just as much as they need physical stimulation.
Playing games with your dog, like hiding and seeking with toys or treats, is a great way to stimulate your German Shepherd mentally. Some ways to mentally stimulate your dog are having your dog work for their food, using a food-dispensing toy, getting a dog puzzle, or teaching them some new tricks.
While your dog is being mentally stimulated from these activities, they are also being physically stimulated. Both mental and physical stimulation are great ways for dogs to let out their excess energy and calm down.
Timeline of German Shepherd Development
Here is a quick breakdown of how your German Shepherd will develop and how that pertains to their energy levels.
Newborn
Newborn German Shepherd puppies typically weigh around 1 pound. At this stage, the puppies are very fragile and need their mother to eat and stay warm. They are born deaf, blind, and toothless and will not be able to stand on their own until they are at least 2 to 4 weeks of age.
Eight Weeks Old
When German Shepherd puppies are eight weeks old, they weigh between 11 and 17 pounds and be 6 to 9 inches tall. At this stage, your German shepherd puppy will be able to venture away from its mother’s milk and begin eating semi-solid foods.
Your pup will be given its first shot from the vet for Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis, and Adenovirus type 2.
Twelve Weeks Old
At twelve weeks of age, your German Shepherd will weigh between 17 and 26 pounds and be about 8 to 10 inches tall. This age is when your pup will start learning social skills and can begin to be trained. Your puppy will be eager to learn new things.
You will need patience because puppies at this age can become easily distracted. This is an excellent time to teach your pup that you are in charge. Your puppy’s teeth will begin to develop at this age. Your German Shepherd can eat about three to four meals daily.
Sixteen Weeks Old
Your puppy is now four months of age and will begin to lose milk teeth at this point. A sixteen-week-old German Shepherd will weigh between 31 and 35 pounds and be about 10 to 12 inches tall. Since your puppy will begin losing teeth, it will be trying to chew anything it can get its paws on.
Try giving your puppy a chew toy so it realizes not to chew your belongings. Your pup will have lots of energy and begin being housetrained. Training can be difficult because of their short attention span and abundance of energy, but it can be done. It is best to praise your dog for good behavior and ignore any fussy behavior when training your pup.
Six Months Old
At six months, your German Shepherd is considered a young adult. Your dog’s internal organs and system are entirely developed, but its skeleton is still growing. You notice that your dog has all of his adult teeth. Your German Shepherd will be more independent at this age and want to be more interactive with its surroundings.
Your dog will weigh between 44 and 49 pounds and be about 15 to 17 inches tall. At this age, you can begin giving your dog three feedings daily because you will need to start paying attention to the calories your dog is consuming. You will also notice your dog beginning to shed its puppy coat.
Nine Months Old
Your German Shepherd will look like an adult dog by nine months of age but will still act like a puppy at times. You might notice some goofy and silly behavior during training.
However, you can encourage your dog to calm down by using positive reinforcement when your dog is acting calm. Nine-month-old German Shepherds tend to weigh between 55 and 60 pounds and are about 19 to 21 inches tall.
Female German Shepherds will reach sexual maturity by this point and may go into heat. It is essential to be aware of your dog’s location, so she doesn’t stray off to look for a mating partner. Your vet can test your dog for heartworms at this age, and your dog can undergo treatment if necessary.
One Year Old
Your German Shepherd is officially an adult at this age, and their attention span is becoming less youthful. Your dog will weigh between 60 and 64 pounds and be somewhere between 20 to 22 inches tall.
You will notice your dog’s behavior improving at this age, especially if it has been appropriately trained and you have been using positive reinforcement. You will see a unique personality in your dog and will be able to recognize what they want and need by observing their body language.
If you have a male German Shepherd, he will reach sexual maturity at this age and might even try to compete with you to be the “leader of the pack.” Be firm with your dog to let him know you are in charge. You can feed your dog adult dog food once they reach this age.
How Long Does the Puppy Stage Last in German Shepherds?
While one year of age is considered an adult for German Shepherds, they may still have the mentality of a puppy until about two or three years of age. This is especially true for males, as they mature slower than females. You will notice that your German Shepherd becomes a lot calmer around the age of four or five and no longer acts like a puppy.
How Active Are German Shepherds Compared to Other Breeds?
German Shepherds are super active compared to other dog breeds. They can compare to these breeds, which are just as busy.
- Boxer
- Dalmatian
- Siberian Husky
- Weimaraner
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Irish Setter
- Great Dane
- Belgian Malinois
What Is a Normal Activity Level for German Shepherds?
A German Shepherd’s average activity level is around 90 minutes daily of exercise. Your German Shepherd usually will spread this level of activity throughout the day so that they can let out their pent up energy. Your dog will enjoy a lot of running, walking, and playing daily.
Do German Shepherds Calm Down After Being Neutered/Spayed?
If you wonder when German Shepherds calm down, you might be surprised by this answer. Yes, German Shepherds typically do calm down once they are neutered or spayed. However, the amount of change you see in your pup’s behavior depends on many factors.
If your dog is already past puberty and it gets neutered or spayed, it might continue to be hyperactive if they have not been appropriately trained. If your German Shepherd isn’t trained correctly, you will not notice a difference after it is neutered or spayed.
You will still notice a change in certain behaviors after being neutered or spayed, like digging, trying to sneak outside to find a mate, and crawling around the house.
Why Do German Shepherds Have Anxiety?
German Shepherds are typically anxious for many reasons. If you have recently moved, your dog might be anxious due to living in a new environment. It will take your pup some time to adjust and become less anxious. Give your dog a few weeks to get used to its surroundings, and you will see a difference in its anxiety.
Another reason your German Shepherd could be anxious is if it is left alone for a long time. This breed is known to experience separation anxiety, especially when away from its owners for too long.
You might notice your dog being bold and chewing things they shouldn’t chew and even whining when you leave. Your dog will get used to your schedule if you are gone for a long time during the day, but it is essential to be there for your dog as often as possible.
Another reason German Shepherds might experience anxiety is if they are still puppies. Also, they might be anxious if you are emotional around them or there is a change in their regular schedule.
Conclusion
German Shepherds are a high-energy dog breed. So will your German shepherd calm down? You can fully expect your German Shepherd to calm down by the time they are four or five years of age.
Your German Shepherd will most likely display many puppy-like behaviors until then. German Shepherds are great dogs to own and are gentle and social companions.
