If you’ve caught yourself asking “why is my dog so hyper” on more than one occasion, you’re not alone.
For every calm, well-mannered dog you see, there’s another one that’s bouncing on the sofa and running in circles after its tail.
Sometimes, they’re one and the same – dogs aren’t one dimensional, and there’s every chance that mature, placid-looking pooch that’s the envy of the neighborhood secretly has the odd manic moment.
But there’s a difference between a dog who gets excited once in a blue moon and one that’s constantly climbing the walls.
If every new person that comes into the house, every new can of dog food that gets opened, and every whisper of “walkies” sends your dog into a whirlwind of activity, it’s time to get to work.
The good news? It’s not that hard.
Why?
Because while the word “hyperactive” suggests there’s something a bit weird, a bit abnormal, a bit (dare we say it?) ‘medical’ going on. However, true hyperactivity is actually very, very rare.
Most dogs that get tagged with the label ‘hyper’ are actually just overactive, something that usually comes down to things like poor diet, a lack of exercise, and breed drive.
In other words, things that can be managed with the right combination of training and exercise.
Putting an end to the behavior might take a bit of work, but there’s an easy, simple way to get the ball rolling. It’s called the Dog Calming Code, and it’s a program that has been specifically put together by Dan Abdelnoor over at the Online Dog Trainer to turn your dog from barking mad into a vision of calm.
Check out the link – the tips and techniques you’ll see aren’t difficult to get down, but they’re guaranteed to make a dramatic difference.
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Why Is My Dog So Hyper?
Let’s get things straight. True hyperactivity comes with a set of hallmarks (an elevated heart rate, an inability to relax, zero attention span, etc.) that most ‘hyper’ dogs don’t have.
What they do have is a high energy drive and a home environment that might not be needing their physical and mental needs.
Make no mistake, dogs like this can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Every little thing can trigger a spurt of activity, whether it’s a knock at the door or a walk in the park, a fresh face at the dog park, or the prospect of a treat.
If your dog spends more time dashing around like a lunatic than snoozing on the sofa, it doesn’t mean you’re a ‘bad’ dog parent or that you’re doing a lousy job at catering to their needs.
It simply means their needs are a bit different from your average canine, and your interactions with them need to be a bit different as a result.
Take a look at some of the following reasons for overactivity. Match the explanation to the behavior, and you’ll be one step closer to addressing it.
Boredom
One of the main reasons for hyper behavior is boredom. Dogs might love to snooze, but when they’re not in the land of nod, they need to be stimulated – mentally, physically, and socially.
If the only interaction they get with the outside world is a 20-minute trot around the block, it’s only natural that they’ll look for ways to release their pent-up energy.
Overstimulation
If your dog is particularly sensitive, they might struggle to deal with external stimuli.
Constant noise, a never-ending flow of unfamiliar faces, or repeated exposure to new environments and situations can all push them outside their comfort zone and result in erratic behavior.
Tiredness
Very young dogs have a habit of pushing back against tiredness. In the same way that toddlers get cranky and frustrated when they’re overtired, pups get hyper.
If your dog only displays hyper behavior at the end of a long day of activity, it could be they’ve had too much fun and not enough naps to smooth the way.
Breed
Some breeds, particularly working ones, simply need more activity than others.
If you have a Border Collie and a Pug and are giving them both the same amount of exercise, there’s a good chance you’re either dealing with a very, very tired Pug or a very, very understimulated Border Collie.
If you want to address overactivity, it’s vital you get to know your breed.
Bad Manners
Most cases of ‘hyperactivity’ are nothing more and nothing less than bad manners.
If your dog has never learned any degree of impulse control, they won’t ask for things by saying ‘please.’ They won’t sit calmly and wait for the good stuff. They’ll force the situation, whether by nose butting, running around, or jumping up at anything and everyone in sight.
Usually, the problem is made worse by owners who ‘reward’ the behavior with attention.
It doesn’t really matter if it’s good attention or bad – in a dog’s mind, all attention is worth pursuing.
If you pay more attention to your dog when they’re hyper than when they’re calm, you might inadvertently be reinforcing and encouraging the behavior.
The Potential Dangers of Owning a Hyper Dog
Owning a hyperactive dog might be frustrating, but could it be dangerous?
As with most things, it depends.
Not all dogs are going to cause safety concerns with their behavior, but some will… and very frequently do.
Sudden spurts of energy can lead your dog into mischief, putting small children, furniture, and anything else in their path in danger.
Your shoes, your sofa, and your garden are all likely to become casualties of your dog’s hyper behavior at some point. The digging, the scratching, the ripping… none of this spells good things for your fixtures and fittings.
But that’s not all.
A dog with excess energy doesn’t stop to think. If there’s a small child in the way, they’re not always going to apply the brakes before they reach them.
If there’s an elderly aunt at the door, they’re not going to consider her age before jumping up.
If there’s a cat in the yard, they’re not going to ask them whether they mind being chased before breaking into a trot.
99.9% of the time, they don’t mean to cause any harm. The problem is, they can, and they do, meaning the sooner you can get on top of the problem, the better.
Related Post: How To Calm An Overexcited Dog – Instant Calming Techniques
How to Calm a Hyper Dog
So, we know some of the reasons dogs get hyper. But what exactly can you do about it?
For a start, you can check out the Dog Calming Code from the Online Dog Trainer. If anything is going to help your dog develop a calmer, more controlled attitude to life, this is it.
After that, you can get to work on the following hints and tips.
Get Some Exercise
If your idea of exercise is walking from the sofa to the fridge, it may be time for a change.
If your dog has a high energy drive (this will usually apply if they’re from sporting or herding groups. But mixed-breed dogs can often exhibit the same tendencies).
They may need a very different approach to exercise….and that’s down to you as their personal fitness coach to arrange.
Remember, no two dogs are the same, and while you’ll have no trouble finding websites that recommend a certain number of walks and a certain amount of games per day, go by your dog, not generic wisdom.
If they’re already getting the minimum number of walks per day but are still a blur of motion come bedtime, there’s a good chance they need more than the prescribed dose.
Don’t feel constrained by the idea of ‘structured’ exercise, either – slotting a few games of frisbee or tug of war into your day is easy, requires minimal exertion on your part, and will still give your dog an excellent outlet for their energy.
You might even want to consider enrolling them in an agility class or lure coursing, both of which are guaranteed to leave even the most energetic dog longing for their bed.
Work Those Little Grey Cells
Dogs are more than just brawn. If you want to calm them down, you’ll need to exercise their minds as much as their bodies.
Whether it’s through training sessions, teaching a few new tricks, or even investing in a few interactive games, there’s a myriad of ways to encourage your dog to think, learn, and work those little grey cells to their limit.
If you’re struggling with ideas on mentally stimulating games, I’d recommend checking out Brain Training For Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli.
Because if you’ve ever wondered how smart your dog really can be, this is the program that’s going to put it to the test.
Teach Them Some Manners
If your dog sees a leash as an excuse to jump all over you and the rustling of a packet of snacks as a reason to treat you to some nose bumps, it’s time to teach them some impulse control.
While it’s easy to put certain behaviors down to ‘hyperactivity,’ the truth is often simpler: most dogs simply haven’t been taught proper manners.
Teaching them the right way to act when they want something (whether that’s food, a game, a walk, or anything else) via methods that encourage impulse control can make a huge difference to disruptive behavior.
Next time they’re due food, a walk, or a game, ask your dog to ‘sit’ before you get the food bowl, the toy, or the leash.
As soon as they start to associate calm, controlled behavior with getting what they want, it’s only a matter of time before they start favoring it over being pushy.
For more top ways to teach emotional control, remember to check out the Dog Calming Code from the Online Dog Trainer.
Learn the Power of Positive Reinforcement
Dogs love a bit of attention. The problem is, they don’t always distinguish between positive attention and the negative kind.
If running around, jumping on the furniture, and acting disruptively gets your attention and acting calmly gets them nothing, which do you think they’re going to favor?
Rather than flooding them with attention when they’re misbehaving and tiptoeing around them when they’re calm, take the time to reward those rare moments of peace with some gentle praise.
Once they learn that calm behavior = positive attention, they’ll be more inclined to repeat it.
Keep Calm
As the leader of the pack, it’s down to you to set a positive example.
Dealing with a dog with no composure might push you to the brink of losing your own, but hold steady.
Your dog looks to you to set an example.
So if you can resist the urge to shout and scold when they’re climbing the walls (remember, negative attention is still attention)…
…Keep your calm when they’ve lost their own.
…And if you can keep consistent with any new training methods you introduce.
You’ll make far more progress than otherwise.
While we’re on the subject of calm, look for new ways to introduce some into your dog’s life. The Dog Calming Code is a great way to add some peace and perspective. But you might also want to try some soothing aromatherapy, relaxing music, and even a bit of doggy massage.
Ditch the Junk
There’s no doubt about it…. keeping up with a doggy appetite can be hell on your wallet.
But while it might be tempting to favor quantity over quality, try to resist the allure of that giant bulk-bag of budget kibble.
Cheap food is cheap for a reason.
More often than not, it’s filled with fillers, sugar, byproducts, and additives – none of which spell good things for your dog’s health and behavior.
Junk food can have a big impact on our moods and mental equilibrium.
The same applies to dogs.
Ditch the junk for high-quality food with identifiable ingredients (tip – if you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it) and minimal additives or preservatives.
Get Them Checked Out
Certain diseases that affect metabolic function (including hyperthyroidism and neurological conditions) can result in hyperactivity.
If no amount of training or exercise seems to be making a difference to your dog’s behavior, it may be time to book a consultation with your vet.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question that dealing with a hyper dog is difficult. No matter how much we love them, constant, never-ending manic behavior is enough to test the patience of a saint.
Fortunately, this isn’t something you just have to learn to live with.
Work their bodies, stimulate their minds, install some manners, and remember to reward those moments of calm, no matter how few and far between they are.
If you can do all that, you’ll be home and dry before you know it.
