An overly excited dog causes stress not only for the overwhelmed owner but also for the dog itself. Overactive dogs can't settle down, they pull on the leash, can't be let off-leash, and bark a lot. Some jump on people or react to other dogs or fast movements, they want to play with their ball for hours, and can be insensitive to their owners. In this article, we will explain how you can calm down an over excited dog.
Signs that your dog is overactive.
The
signs of overactive behavior in dogs are clear. However, it is
important to note how often these behaviors occur. In young dogs going
through puberty, it is often observed in new or exciting situations,
such as interacting with other dogs. Up to a certain degree, this is
completely normal and harmless, and the behavior will dissolve over time
with consistency and a structured daily routine.
Even if a dog is
occasionally overactive, for example, on the first day when there is
snow or something very exciting happens, this is normal dog behavior.
Only when overactive behavior occurs regularly or has become a permanent
state, it is a real problem and should be trained urgently.
Here are the signs of overactive behavior in dogs:
- The dog can't settle down at home
- The dog reacts strongly to small stimuli
- Constantly pulling on the leash
- Reacting to fast movements of children, cyclists, joggers, etc.
- The dog appears nervous and restless
- Jumping on people
- Unresponsive during walks
- Excessive barking
- Escalating behaviors
- Overreacting to other dogs
Calming down an overly excited dog - Reasons behind the behavior.
The most common reason for an overactive dog is its upbringing, or the lack of exercise and training for the animal. Athletic and highly intelligent dogs are high-performance athletes and must be adequately exercised. As family pets, they are only suitable if they receive several hours of mental and physical stimulation every day and have a meaningful task and good training.
Genetics
Breeds such as the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and many shepherd breeds are working dogs that were bred for a specific task. Most dogs of these breeds would spend all day outdoors with their owner, completing tasks together. Those who adopt such a breed as a family pet must be willing to invest a lot of time in the dog to meet its needs.
With adequate care and exercise, the dog will become calmer and more balanced in everyday life. Before adopting, you should research how calm and balanced the parents are, and avoid breeders with a focus on sports or work if you're looking for a calm family pet.
Learning experience
Your dog may have learned its overactive behavior over time as well. Especially if you got your dog as a puppy, you may have praised him or her for playing and being active, while ignoring their calm behavior. As a result, the puppy may have learned that their overactive behavior is rewarded and continued to exhibit it.
The right reaction to an over excited dog
If your dog is over excited, it's important for you to stay calm in the situation and not reward their behavior by petting or talking to them. Ignore their behavior and reward them only once they've calmed down. It's important to not get them excited again with excessive praise. To work on the problem long-term, your dog will need proper training and meaningful exercise. Only when your dog's needs are met on a regular basis can training be successful and your dog will become calmer and more balanced in everyday life. This will also reduce your dog's stress levels.
Calming an over excited dog – tips and tricks
To make training with your furry friend work, we have put together some tips and tricks to help you.
Our tips:
- Pay attention to your own behavior during training (be calm and relaxed)
- Practice in small steps
- Come up with activities for your dog (dog sports, search games, fetching, and tricks)
- Practice for a few minutes every day
- Pay attention to your furry friend's needs
In conclusion, an over excited and reactive dog can be challenging to manage, but it's important to address the root causes and provide appropriate training and stimulation for the dog. Whether it's a matter of genetics, inadequate exercise and training, or learned behavior, working with a professional and implementing consistent training and management strategies can help the dog become calmer and more balanced over time. Remember to stay calm and patient during training sessions and prioritize your dog's physical and mental needs to help them lead a happy and healthy life.