How to Calm a Hyper Dog
Hyperactive dogs may cause chaos in a household, racing around, knocking things over, and hurling themselves at people, and can be a danger if they start to bite, or scratching.
When they are in this manic state it can be hard to calm a dog down, which also makes it tricky to take them out anywhere as their behaviour is so unpredictable.
Why do Dogs Become Hyperactive?
Most dogs are basically reacting to what is going on in their environment, though there are 1 or 2 health issues that may cause hyperactivity, as well as some dietary causes.
Anxiety in dogs, attention seeking and a dog being dominant and uncontrollable are all potential reasons for a dog's hyperactivity, so it is important that you try and find out what lies behind your dog's problem before deciding the simple way to approach ending it.
Observe your dog over the next week and see if you can spot what triggers the hyperactivity. Notice how you respond to it, and how they make a response to you and then try some of the strategies below that might help you create a calm dog.
The easy way to Alter Your Dogs Behaviour
Dogs will usually take a lead from the feelings they pick up around them, so if you are stressed out, or other people around your dog are stressed out, they will be picking up on it. This can make a dog feel anxious or intensify their existing anxiety. If you're calm you may find your dog quietens down too. Definitely reacting in a stressed out or irritated way to their behaviour is probably going to make it worse.
Show your dog you are the pack leader maker to help calm the situation. It will give confidence to a nervous dog, and allow you to impose your own house rules on a determined and badly behaved dog. There is no need to do this thru domination or force though; it's more about proving you are the decision maker in important areas that are critical to a dog.
Using Training to Change Your Dog's Behavior
Begin by looking at the training you have already done with your dog. Do they need more training or have they lapsed into poor habits and you need to tighten up on the rules? How consistent are you in your expectations of your dog? If you permit them to do something one day, although not the next time they will not understand how you need them to behave.
If your dog is suffering with anxiety, try some desensitization training to build their confidence and remove some of the triggers that set it off. Mixing this with proving that you are pack leader can be particularly effective.
Try giving your dog a result for hyper behaviour so they learn that their behavior is not acceptable. That does not imply hitting or punishing them, a fast 5 minutes time-out in a crate or alone in a room where they can't do any damage may be sufficient.
Indulge Your Dog in the Right Things
Make sure your dog receives stimulation and exercise each day. It doesn't always need to be a long walk, as games and other activities at home can be just as beneficial for them. However , keep the games under control by deciding when the game begins and ends. If the game gets out of hand, stop the game straight away as this is an alternate way of giving them a result for behavior you don't like.
Do not give your dog any attention while they're hyperactive. Move away from them if feasible or go in another room and do not speak to them, touch them or give them any eye contact. If they are acting this way because it can get your attention, they will quickly learn that it doesn't work and should stop their manic behaviour.
When they are in this manic state it can be hard to calm a dog down, which also makes it tricky to take them out anywhere as their behaviour is so unpredictable.
Why do Dogs Become Hyperactive?
Most dogs are basically reacting to what is going on in their environment, though there are 1 or 2 health issues that may cause hyperactivity, as well as some dietary causes.
Anxiety in dogs, attention seeking and a dog being dominant and uncontrollable are all potential reasons for a dog's hyperactivity, so it is important that you try and find out what lies behind your dog's problem before deciding the simple way to approach ending it.
Observe your dog over the next week and see if you can spot what triggers the hyperactivity. Notice how you respond to it, and how they make a response to you and then try some of the strategies below that might help you create a calm dog.
The easy way to Alter Your Dogs Behaviour
Dogs will usually take a lead from the feelings they pick up around them, so if you are stressed out, or other people around your dog are stressed out, they will be picking up on it. This can make a dog feel anxious or intensify their existing anxiety. If you're calm you may find your dog quietens down too. Definitely reacting in a stressed out or irritated way to their behaviour is probably going to make it worse.
Show your dog you are the pack leader maker to help calm the situation. It will give confidence to a nervous dog, and allow you to impose your own house rules on a determined and badly behaved dog. There is no need to do this thru domination or force though; it's more about proving you are the decision maker in important areas that are critical to a dog.
Using Training to Change Your Dog's Behavior
Begin by looking at the training you have already done with your dog. Do they need more training or have they lapsed into poor habits and you need to tighten up on the rules? How consistent are you in your expectations of your dog? If you permit them to do something one day, although not the next time they will not understand how you need them to behave.
If your dog is suffering with anxiety, try some desensitization training to build their confidence and remove some of the triggers that set it off. Mixing this with proving that you are pack leader can be particularly effective.
Try giving your dog a result for hyper behaviour so they learn that their behavior is not acceptable. That does not imply hitting or punishing them, a fast 5 minutes time-out in a crate or alone in a room where they can't do any damage may be sufficient.
Indulge Your Dog in the Right Things
Make sure your dog receives stimulation and exercise each day. It doesn't always need to be a long walk, as games and other activities at home can be just as beneficial for them. However , keep the games under control by deciding when the game begins and ends. If the game gets out of hand, stop the game straight away as this is an alternate way of giving them a result for behavior you don't like.
Do not give your dog any attention while they're hyperactive. Move away from them if feasible or go in another room and do not speak to them, touch them or give them any eye contact. If they are acting this way because it can get your attention, they will quickly learn that it doesn't work and should stop their manic behaviour.
About the Author:
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website which provides help and information for owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about the how to calm a dog down when you visit the site.