Calming High-Energy Puppies
Puppies have energy. No doubt about it. Some seem to have more than others, though. Their “high energy” may present as near constant movement (‘fizzing’ or ‘buzzing’ around the house), inability to rest outside of confinement, inability to rest during the day, lots of jumping and biting, etc.
Here are five tips for calming your high-energy puppy.
#1 Initiate Naps
Yep, if your puppy seems like he has too much energy, there’s a good chance he actually needs more sleep — not more activity. The assumption that a wild puppy has excess energy to burn is a completely normal and understandable one. However, it’s easy to mistake exhaustion for high-energy. Is your puppy getting is 18-20 hours of sleep each day?
#2 Prioritize Training Games
Training games are a must for all puppies, especially the “high energy” ones. Training games tire your puppy out by working his brain. Just like writing a term paper or going to school drains your energy, “going to school” drains your puppy’s energy.
(I’m not saying, puppies don’t need physical activity. They do. But a BIG emphasis on physical activity can actually cause both short and long-term problems, and it isn’t sustainable.)
#3 Employ Enrichment Feeding
I recommend all my puppy clients feed all meals out of something other than a traditional dog bowl.* This is SUCH an easy win because it doesn’t require any special skills on the human’s part AND it productively drains puppy energy. Click here to access my how-to guide for enrichment feeding.
*The exception would be puppies who are struggling to eat from a traditional dog bowl. Enrichment feeding makes it harder to access the food so if the puppy isn’t motivated to get it straight from a bowl, I don’t want to make acquisition harder. There are multiple reasons your puppy might not have a hearty appetite. Talk with your vet and if everything checks out medically, speak with a qualified trainer.
#4 Teach Relaxation
Although it may not seem like it with your firecracker racing around the house, some puppies do actually know how to “find the brakes” on their own. Others can’t seem to relax at all. That latter group has to be intentionally taught how to chill. I like to combine reinforcing the moments (however brief) they spontaneously take it down a notch, with a systematic instruction approach using Dr Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol.
#5 Resist Constantly Entertaining
I have to tell myself this too! Yes, some puppies need more stimulation before they’re ready to relax, and yes, we should absolutely give it to them. However, you do yourself and your puppy no favors by setting them up to expect constant entertainment. That isn’t sustainable.
Once your puppy has had his needs met, set him up with a food stuffed toy, some toys, and/or a special chew and let him self-entertain for a bit.