Calm Down a Playful Large Dog

Sometimes a high energy dog gets revved up and just can't stop! You may see behavior such as jumping repeatedly or racing around at top speed, in circles or back and forth. Some breeds of large dogs are naturally high energy dogs, so this behavior may be something that you have to work on throughout the dog’s life. Dogs that exhibit this type of behavior may also be bored or understimulated, so you'll need to take steps to make sure you are exercising their minds and bodies.[1]

Steps

Using Exercise to Calm Your Dog

  1. Take your dog on a long walk. One way that you can work out some of your dog’s energy is to take him on a nice long walk. Keep in mind that a stroll around the block will probably not be enough to calm your dog down. You will have to walk with him for about an hour or even go running with him if you are able.
    • If you cannot walk your dog due to physical limitations, setting up a long line in your backyard that your dog can run back and forth on may help.[2]
  2. Play fetch or hide and seek with your dog. Help your dog use up some of his energy by playing a game of fetch or hide and seek with him. Hang out in the back yard with him and throw his favorite ball or Frisbee for a while, or have someone hold onto him while you hide a few treats around the house and tell him to go find them.
    • You might have to show your dog how to play hide and seek by hiding a treat in front of him and then commanding him to “Go find it” a few times.
    • Make sure you take breaks while you play so your dog doesn't get overexcited. Teach your dog the "look" command if he doesn't already know it, which will bring his attention to you. This will momentarily stop the game as he looks to you. Give him a minute or two to calm down and catch his breath, then resume playing.
    • Treat-dispensing gadgets such as Manners Minder can also provide hours of play time for you and your dog.[2]
  3. Invite other dogs over for a play date or take your dog to the local dog park. If your dog is well socialized and plays well with other dogs, inviting some puppy friends over to play or making regular visits to the local dog park are great ways to help your dog use up some of his energy. Make sure that wherever you take your dog is well-fenced in and maintained.[2]
  4. Consider dog daycare to get your dog the exercise and stimulation he needs. If you spend long hours at work, dog daycare may be a good way for you to get your dog the exercise and stimulation he needs. Your dog can play all day to work out his energy and then relax with you at the end of the day. Check with a dog daycare provider in your area to see if this option might help to calm your dog.[3]

Using Training Techniques to Calm Your Dog

  1. Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog calm behavior. Praise and treats can be a great way to teach your dog how to be calm. For example, if you ask your dog to sit and he obeys, make sure to give him lots of praise immediately after so that he knows he has done something good. Say something like “Good boy!!” and pet him or provide him with a treat.[2]
  2. Ignore your dog if he is too energetic and out of control. On way that you can get your dog to calm down is to ignore him. If your dog is too energetic and out of control (barking, jumping, running around, etc.), do not acknowledge the behavior. By ignoring your dog’s behavior, you are letting him know that you disapprove. This technique can have a quick calming effect on some dogs.[1] Try the following strategies the next time your dog gets out of hand:
    • Do not make eye contact with your dog.
    • Do not talk to your dog.
    • Do not pet or touch your dog.
  3. Use a leash to teach calm behaviors to your dog. If your dog is prone to jumping or running around the house, keeping him on a leash for a set amount of time each day may help. By keeping your dog close by, it will be easier for you to reinforce good behavior and correct bad behavior.[2]
    • Try putting your dog on a leash when he is at his most energetic. For example, if your dog becomes too energetic when you have company, put him on a leash when people visit.
  4. Consider enrolling your dog in an obedience class. If your dog does not respond to your commands or he is difficult to calm down, your dog may benefit from an obedience class. A professional dog trainer may be able to help your dog learn to follow your commands and calm down when you want him to.[4]

Maintaining a Calm Environment

  1. Put up baby gates to control your dog’s environment. If your dog tends to run from room to room or gets excited when he looks out the front window, putting up baby gates may help keep your dog calm. By having gates up around the house, you can prevent your dog from going into areas of the house that make him more hyper.[2]
  2. Provide your dog with lots of toys, including chew toys. Having lots of toys around will help your dog to direct his energy toward playing rather than sprinting around the house or engaging in other inappropriate behaviors. Chew toys are especially important so that your dog does not chew on things that he shouldn’t.[5]
  3. Project calm energy around your dog. Dogs may pick up on your emotions and mirror your energy. For example, if you are feeling anxious, your dog might sense that and become anxious as well. To prevent your dog from feeding off of your negative emotions, try to project a calm positive energy when you are around your dog.[1]

Tips

  • Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s diet. High energy dogs may calm down if fed a lower protein dog food, but you should discuss your dog’s diet with your veterinarian before making any changes.[5]
  • Try using aromatherapy to calm your dog. Just as aromatherapy may help calm people, certain smells may help calm your dog. Talk to your veterinarian or a holistic profession about possible calming scents for your dog and the safest methods of dispersing them.[1]
  • Having a task to focus on can help tremendously. Hyperactivity in dogs can come from psychological needs as easily as it can from physical needs. By giving your dog a job to do, you are removing his hyperactive dog behavior and are redirecting his energy elsewhere. For instance, having your dog wear a backpack with extra weight will keep your dog focused on carrying instead of getting distracted by squirrels and other things.

Warnings

  • Do not talk in an excited voice or high pitch because it will make your dog excited and hyper.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/5-tips-for-calming-a-hyperactive-dog
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
  3. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/daycare-dogs
  4. ↑ http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/tips/benefits.aspx
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.paws.org/library/dogs/behavior/high-energy-dogs/
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