Solutions for Uncontrollably Hyperactive Puppies & Dogs

An uncontrollable, highly energetic puppy or dog can pose many challenges to a dog owner. If your puppy or dog reacts to seemingly every stimulus, if it appears to be unable to settle down, chances are you may own a breed predisposed to being active -- or your dog may simply lack appropriate outlets for pent-up energy. True hyperactivity in the real sense of the word is actually rare among dogs, explains Debra F. Horwitz, a veterinarian specializing in veterinary behavior. In many cases, hyper dogs just lack appropriate exercise, social contact and mental activity. Learning how to provide proper mental and physical engagement for an active puppy or dog ultimately paves the path to calmer behavior.

  1. Exercise

    • Unless you own a farm or a piece of property with lots of acreage, chances are high that you are not exercising your dog enough. A walk around the block or a romp in a fenced yard will generally not suffice, especially when dealing with breeds selectively bred to work. Investing in a 50-foot trot line may allow puppies and dogs plenty of room to safely romp around. Putting a backpack on a dog during walks, allowing it to pull a cart or letting it run alongside you as you ride a bicycle equipped with a dog tether, are other great ways to release pent-up energy in healthy adult dogs.

    Games

    • Hiding treats and having your puppy or dog search for them is a great way to tire a hyper canine out. Nose work can be incredibly tiring, explains Pat Miller, dog trainer and owner of Peaceable Paws in Fairplay, Maryland, in an article for the Whole Dog Journal. Rather than allowing your puppy to gulp down dinner from a food bowl, try to use individual pieces of kibble for five-second training sessions throughout the day, suggests veterinarian, animal behaviorist and dog trainer Ian Dunbar in an article for Dog Star Daily. Interactive toys such as stuffed "Kong"-brand toys are also great for keeping a dog's mind stimulated for some time.

    Sports

    • While young puppies may need to wait some time before enrolling in canine sports, they can start learning some basics under the guidance of a trainer. Older dogs can enjoy a vast array of canine sports. Herding dogs may enjoy herding trials or have fun in the new sport of Treibbal. Sporting dogs can participate in nose work, tracking and field trials. Many active dogs also enjoy agility training, which requires structure, concentration, strength and speed.

    Obedience

    • A good foundation of training will help keep dogs mentally stimulated and occupied. Because an active dog cannot be jumping and dashing all over the place while being asked to obey to a command, training starts a dog on a path for success by promoting alternative behaviors. Frequent, brief training sessions spread throughout the day can help dogs keep their minds off destructive, hyperactive behaviors.

    Self Control

    • One of the most important qualities to teach an active dog is self-control. Have your active puppy or dog work for "life rewards." This means asking your dog for a sit before you put his food bowl down, before you open the door to the back yard or before you snap the leash on his collar for a walk. Another great trick to teach a dog self-control is to teach the "chill out" game invented by Dee Ganley, dog trainer and owner of Dee Ganley Dog Training in East Andover, New Hampshire. Basically, get your dog excited by playing tug or chasing a toy on a string, then suddenly become still like a tree and quietly ask for a sit. Once your dog is sitting nicely, restart the game. The puppy or dog learns quickly that calm behaviors are what get the game going.

    Reinforcement

    • Often, dogs engage in hyper behaviors because the owners unknowingly reinforce such behaviors. If you pet your dog the moment he jumps on you, if you greet him at the door when he is enthusiastic, or if you simply give attention when he is barking, pacing and circling, the puppy or dog will increase such behaviors. The attention does not have to necessarily be positive; indeed, many dogs thrive on negative attention. Yelling may ultimately be a form of attention to a dog that has been lonely all day and feels ignored! Catching you puppy or dog when he is in a calm state of mind, and rewarding it, will ultimately increase the frequency of such calm behaviors.

    Management

    • If you are unable to supervise your puppy or dog at certain times, a crate or pen will prevent reinforcement for inappropriate behaviors, suggests Pat Miller. Don't use crates, pens and runs as storage units to park your dog when he is being hyper. Rather, use them once your dog's exercise and mental stimulation needs are met and you want him to settle down.

      Or place a leash around your waist and let it be an "umbilical cord" between you and the dog when you need to keep it supervised for some time. This way, you are right there to quickly reward wanted behaviors.