A new puppy can be a handful with all its energy, but that energy is short-lived. Most puppies will start to calm down by approximately 6 to 9 months of age. But, every dog is different. Some puppies won’t slow down until they are fully mature at 1 to 2 years old.
Will My Puppy Slow Down?
Are you wondering when do puppies calm down? Does your puppy have endless energy? Is it hard to keep up with him?
Young puppies, like young children, are full of boundless energy. They are curious about the world around them, eager to explore everything around them.
While this energy can be entertaining, many new dog owners also find it exhausting.
The good news is that most dogs will grow out of this never-ending energy in time. You can survive puppyhood!
What Age are Puppies the Most Hyper?
As newborns, puppies are helpless and rely on their mothers to care for them. Unable to see or hear, they remain quite calm as they don’t receive a lot of outside stimulation.
Over time, they start to develop the ability to see and hear. They become curious about the world around them and develop a sense of independence.
At approximately 10 to 16 weeks old, your puppy will really start to test boundaries. This is when the puppy energy first emerges!
The exact age when your puppy is at its most hyper will vary based on several important factors. This includes the breed of dog, the amount of training and exercise it receives, and even its gender.
Your puppy’s newfound energy will continue in the months that follow.
What Age is a Puppy Worse Behaved?
This young puppy stage at approximately 10 to 16 weeks is the age that puppies are at their worst.
It isn’t that these dogs are “bad”. Instead, it’s a combination of the excess puppy energy and the lack of socialization. They don’t know any better.
This is the period in a dog’s life where they test boundaries and learn the rules of the world. They explore and experiment.
For a dog owner, this is the time when you will need to focus on introducing basic rules and obedience.
At What Age Do Puppies Get Easier?
If you want to know when do puppies calm down, there are some things you should keep in mind. Just as there is no one set time that your puppy will be most hyper, there is also no specific time that it will get easier.
The energy will start to slow down as your puppy ages and matures. But, the rate your puppy matures will change from one dog to the next.
Female dogs mature quicker than male dogs in most cases. Calm breeds like the Saint Bernard may settle into a settled state earlier. Meanwhile, high-energy breeds like the Border Collie will take longer to calm down.
Do Puppies Calm Down at 4 Months?
Many of the calmer breeds will start to calm down at approximately 4 to 6 months. Although, this is on the earlier end of the spectrum.
Most dogs won’t start to calm down until after the 6-month mark. For many, this stage of calming and maturing won’t come until 1 or 2 years old.
Do Puppies Naturally Calm Down?
A puppy will start to calm down eventually, but it can take a lot of time. Until your dog has matured, you can expect to deal with the puppy energy.
Many new dog owners will wait it out, hoping that their dog’s energy levels will wane. But, this can be difficult to handle.
This leaves many feeling completely overwhelmed.
Rather than trying to remain patient until the puppy phase passes, you can try to address it.
There are steps that you can take to manage your puppy’s ongoing energy levels. Additionally, there are ways that you can help your puppy burn through any bursts of energy.
With some careful planning, you can set both you and your puppy up for success.
How to Manage a Puppy’s Energy Levels
The best way to handle living with a hyper puppy is to take precautions and prevent him from getting crazy. But, this isn’t always easy.
The first step is to better understand why your puppy is experiencing this burst of energy. Identifying triggers will help you to prevent them in the future.
Plenty of Exercise
One of the best things that you can do for your puppy is to provide plenty of exercise.
You can give your puppy a healthy way to channel this excess energy. Otherwise, pent-up energy will lead to destructive habits.
The general rule of thumb is that your dog should have 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age, twice a day. For example, a 4-month-old puppy should exercise for 20 minutes, twice a day.
But, this can vary from dog to dog. Watch your dog for signs that they may need more exercise, or that they are struggling to keep up.
Some great activities for burning puppy energy include:
- Long walks
- Games of fetch
- Tug-of-war
- Agility sports (no jumping until they are older)
- Swimming
Another great way to wear out a hyper puppy is through basic obedience training. This is a great way to mentally challenge your dog while also improving their manners.
Consider working on basic commands that can help to create a balanced, managed home. This includes sit, down, stay, and place.
Mental Enrichment
Physical activity isn’t the only way to burn your puppy’s energy. Another great tool is mental enrichment.
You can challenge your dog mentally by using food puzzles and interactive toys. These toys tap into your dog’s natural instincts including hunting and foraging.
Consider turning mealtime into a fun game by feeding your puppy with one of these options.
Reward Calm Behavior
If you want your puppy to act a certain way, you need to communicate your expectations. This includes asking your puppy to be calm in the house.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to offer rewards when your puppy is being calm and well-behaved.
This doesn’t mean you have to give food-based treats each time, as that can lead to weight gain. Instead, rotate between treats, praise, and playtime.
For many puppies, a game of tug-of-war or fetch with their favorite toys is a great reward!
Crate Training
Introducing your puppy to the crate early has many great benefits. This is a valuable tool for potty training, relieving anxiety, and creating calm.
Keep in mind that the crate is not a negative thing. It’s not a punishment. Instead, it’s a safe, quiet place for your puppy.
To do this, you need to make the crate a positive space. Set it up with comfortable blankets and fun toys. Try feeding your dog in the crate and offering treat rewards.
Leave the crate open between use so that your puppy has the freedom to retreat to their “safe place”. This is a place they can go if they need a time out.
When your puppy is in the crate, it’s time for quiet play or taking a nap.
Try placing your dog in the crate for a set period of time each day. You can help to create a positive connection with this time by including a high-value treat toy. An example of this is a KONG toy stuffed with delicious treats.
Establish a Routine
Dogs thrive on routine and schedule, and puppies are no exception!
One way that you can help to create a calmer, more peaceful house is to create a routine and stick to it. This will teach your puppy what to expect and when to expect it.
Over time, this predictability will help your puppy relax and settle into your home.
This is about more than learning what time is mealtime. This is also going to help your puppy learn when it’s time to play and when it’s time to be calm.
How Do You Calm Down a Hyper Puppy?
It should be mentioned that you can do everything mentioned above but you aren’t going to end the energy. Each of those suggestions will help manage behavior, but a puppy is still a puppy!
There will come a time at one point or another when your puppy has a build-up of excess energy to burn. When that happens, what do you do?
Remember, there is nothing wrong with puppy energy. It’s normal. Avoid punishing or penalizing your puppy for something that’s out of their control.
Instead, focus on burning this energy.
The thing a puppy needs most is to burn off the energy that they are feeling. Try engaging your puppy in a game of fetch or tug-of-war. Take your puppy for a walk.
Have fun and embrace the enthusiasm that your puppy has for life!
Can You Overstimulate a Puppy?
The biggest reason that puppies struggle with excess energy is that they don’t know how to calm down. This is a learned behavior, one that comes with age and experience.
Like human babies, your dog can become overstimulated from too much stimuli over a short period of time.
Some dogs will react to overstimulation by retreating and hiding. But, the most common reaction in puppies is to become hyperactive.
You may notice your otherwise well-behaved puppy is nipping, jumping, or barking obsessively.
Regular overstimulation, or chronic overstimulation, can create a long-term problem. It’s important to recognize and address this situation when it happens.
If you see your puppy becoming overstimulated during playtime, remove them.
Introduce a calming activity in place of play such as a gentle massage or time out in the crate with a simple chew toy.
Not only does keep you puppy calm at the moment, but it also helps to teach self-regulation.
Dog Breeds Known to Calm Down Sooner
Your dog’s breed can play an important role in the amount of energy that they naturally have.
Some dog breeds are hard workers, bred to keep up with the demands of a physical lifestyle. This includes most working dogs including many hunting dogs, herding dogs, those in the sporting group, and northern dogs like the Husky.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are dogs bred to care for children or work in therapy environments. These dogs have a naturally calmer temperament.
Golden Retriever
One of the most popular dog breeds, the Golden Retriever is a family-friendly dog. Despite being hunting dogs, bred to keep up with the demands of their job, they can also be calm.
They are easy to train and thrive around children.
With obedience training and adequate daily energy, they are a great family pet. This family nature helps them to calm down a little earlier than many other breeds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Once a dog loved by the nobility, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred to spend their time with the royals. This meant the breed needed to be calm, well-mannered, and welcoming.
These personality treats make the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a great therapy dog. They love people, welcoming new people with ease.
English Bulldog
Often recommended as a good dog for apartment life, the English Bulldog is a calm and content dog. They are incredible family dogs, happy to curl up and nap much of the day.
They are goofy dogs, great with children, and eager to please their family members.
Bassett Hound
Originally bred for their sense of smell, the Bassett Hound is persistent and patient. When they focus on a task, they remain calm and determined, ignoring distractions.
This calm demeanor carries over to their family life. Lovable and affectionate, they are happiest by your side or napping on the couch.
Irish Wolfhound
Don’t let the large size of these dogs fool you. Calm, loyal, and sensitive to their people, the Irish Wolfhound is a great breed for therapy work.
They are affectionate family dogs, loving to spend their time close by their people.
Great Pyrenees
Another “gentle giant”, the Great Pyrenees can often be found napping next to their owners. They are guard dogs, bred to alert their owners to potential danger.
This loyalty to the safety and well-being of their owners makes them great family dogs. They are gentle, calm, and laid-back.
Greyhound
You may be surprised to see the Greyhound included on this list. Known for their activities on the racetrack, Greyhounds are often seen as high-energy.
The truth is that while they experience short bursts of high energy, they are quite calm. Some may even call them lazy.
When at home among their family, Greyhounds are couch potatoes. They need a daily walk but are more than happy to kick back and relax the rest of the day.
Saint Bernard
These large dogs are often pictured rescuing those in danger up in the mountains. But, the personality traits needed to be rescue dogs also puts the breed on this list.
Saint Bernards are calm, gentle, loving dogs with big hearts. They are eager to please and easy to train. With a daily walk or a job to do, they will thrive even in smaller living conditions.
Final verdict: When do puppies calm down
Survive the “Puppy Phase” with Careful Planning (and Patience)
Your puppy’s high-energy ways may leave you exhausted at this stage. But, there will soon come a day that you will look back on these memories and smile.
Most dogs will grow out of much of this energy by 1 or 2 years old. (So yes often puppies calm down eventually!)
For now, focus on managing your puppy’s energy with both physical and mental exercise. By giving your puppy a healthy outlet for their energy, you can create a happy home for everyone!
