Dog calming for a hyperactive dog, or a wound up or afraid dog can be approached in a number of different ways. It isn't always a straightforward dog behaviour problem to handle as dogs can get hyper for all sorts of reasons and in all kinds of different situations, so we've brought together 8 different dog calming methods you can try out and see which of them helps you create a relaxed and calm dog.
1. Stay Calm Yourself
Learn to be calm around your dogs as they're very sensitive to moods and their hyper active behavior may be a reaction to the way you are feeling. Dogs regularly look to their owners to discover how they react in situations, so if you stay calm at the times when your dog is showing symptoms of stress, they may take the lead from you and be calmer themselves.
2. Become the Pack Leader
Ensure your dog does not see themselves as leader of the pack as this makes them responsible for the security of the other members of the pack (you and other people in your household) and the decision maker. This is a difficult job for a dog living in a world they do not understand and frequently causes them a lot of anxiety. Learn how to show them you're the pack leader as this could reduce anxious behavior considerably and could be a very effective dog calming system.
1. Stay Calm Yourself
Learn to be calm around your dogs as they're very sensitive to moods and their hyper active behavior may be a reaction to the way you are feeling. Dogs regularly look to their owners to discover how they react in situations, so if you stay calm at the times when your dog is showing symptoms of stress, they may take the lead from you and be calmer themselves.
2. Become the Pack Leader
Ensure your dog does not see themselves as leader of the pack as this makes them responsible for the security of the other members of the pack (you and other people in your household) and the decision maker. This is a difficult job for a dog living in a world they do not understand and frequently causes them a lot of anxiety. Learn how to show them you're the pack leader as this could reduce anxious behavior considerably and could be a very effective dog calming system.
Being pack leader doesn't mean you have to be domineering with your dog or use dominant strategies like pinning them down, it is more about showing them you're the decision maker and your dog should then be willing to co-operate.
3. Tackle Dog Anxiety with Training
Anxiety in dogs could cause a fair bit of manic behaviour, and anxious dogs find it hard to relax and be calm, so focus your training on techniques that help reduce anxiousness like desensitisation training. This should help them learn new behaviour in potentially anxious scenarios and stay calm.
4. Give Your Dog Lots of Activity
Active and high energy dogs need stimulation and activity, whether or not that's with a walk or through an energetic play session at home, or toys that tax their brains. While I don't believe that boredom is the root of hyperactivity, and know that many dogs are more than happy to lie around for hours at a time, most dogs also love to engage their minds and tired dogs don't often have the energy to be manic!
5. Pay No Attention To Your Dog's Manic Behavior
It's not always straightforward, but ignoring your dog's hyper behaviour, could be an fast and effective dog calming method. Try walking off from them if they start behaving manically. If you move out of the room or garden so they cannot see you, you'll be amazed how often your dog will stop what they are doing to follow you. This is especially effective if your dog is acting up to get your attention.
6. Take Consistent Action
The minute your dog begins to get hyper or acting up, give them a consequence for behaving this way. A little time-out, either in a crate or a small area where they can't damage themselves or anything else, can be quite effective. Put them where they can't see you and wait until they are calm before you let them out. Do this every time and they should learn that they only get attention for being a calm dog.
7. Don't Respond to Your Dog
Ensure you don't encourage their behavior by responding to it. Attention could be talking to them (or screaming at them in exasperation), going to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or even just catching their eye. Attention is sort of a reward to a dog so they may do it even more often. It could also make a dog think that their behavior is the right way to behave because you gave them attention for it.
8. Use Medication or Stress Reducing Products
There are herbal products that may be bought from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that aim to help with dog calming. These are generally believed to
3. Tackle Dog Anxiety with Training
Anxiety in dogs could cause a fair bit of manic behaviour, and anxious dogs find it hard to relax and be calm, so focus your training on techniques that help reduce anxiousness like desensitisation training. This should help them learn new behaviour in potentially anxious scenarios and stay calm.
4. Give Your Dog Lots of Activity
Active and high energy dogs need stimulation and activity, whether or not that's with a walk or through an energetic play session at home, or toys that tax their brains. While I don't believe that boredom is the root of hyperactivity, and know that many dogs are more than happy to lie around for hours at a time, most dogs also love to engage their minds and tired dogs don't often have the energy to be manic!
5. Pay No Attention To Your Dog's Manic Behavior
It's not always straightforward, but ignoring your dog's hyper behaviour, could be an fast and effective dog calming method. Try walking off from them if they start behaving manically. If you move out of the room or garden so they cannot see you, you'll be amazed how often your dog will stop what they are doing to follow you. This is especially effective if your dog is acting up to get your attention.
6. Take Consistent Action
The minute your dog begins to get hyper or acting up, give them a consequence for behaving this way. A little time-out, either in a crate or a small area where they can't damage themselves or anything else, can be quite effective. Put them where they can't see you and wait until they are calm before you let them out. Do this every time and they should learn that they only get attention for being a calm dog.
7. Don't Respond to Your Dog
Ensure you don't encourage their behavior by responding to it. Attention could be talking to them (or screaming at them in exasperation), going to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or even just catching their eye. Attention is sort of a reward to a dog so they may do it even more often. It could also make a dog think that their behavior is the right way to behave because you gave them attention for it.
8. Use Medication or Stress Reducing Products
There are herbal products that may be bought from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that aim to help with dog calming. These are generally believed to
It's not always straightforward, but ignoring your dog's hyper behaviour, could be an fast and effective dog calming method. Try walking off from them if they start behaving manically. If you move out of the room or garden so they cannot see you, you'll be amazed how often your dog will stop what they are doing to follow you. This is especially effective if your dog is acting up to get your attention.
6. Take Consistent Action
The minute your dog begins to get hyper or acting up, give them a consequence for behaving this way. A little time-out, either in a crate or a small area where they can't damage themselves or anything else, can be quite effective. Put them where they can't see you and wait until they are calm before you let them out. Do this every time and they should learn that they only get attention for being a calm dog.
7. Don't Respond to Your Dog
Ensure you don't encourage their behavior by responding to it. Attention could be talking to them (or screaming at them in exasperation), going to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or even just catching their eye. Attention is sort of a reward to a dog so they may do it even more often. It could also make a dog think that their behavior is the right way to behave because you gave them attention for it.
8. Use Medication or Stress Reducing Products
There are herbal products that may be bought from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that aim to help with dog calming. These are generally believed to be safer than drugs, and have fewer, or no side-effects. Other products like the Thundershirt, Anxiety Wrap or DAP can also help some dogs relax. Only consider using dog anxiety medication in acute circumstances and always take guidance from you vet first.
About the Author:
6. Take Consistent Action
The minute your dog begins to get hyper or acting up, give them a consequence for behaving this way. A little time-out, either in a crate or a small area where they can't damage themselves or anything else, can be quite effective. Put them where they can't see you and wait until they are calm before you let them out. Do this every time and they should learn that they only get attention for being a calm dog.
7. Don't Respond to Your Dog
Ensure you don't encourage their behavior by responding to it. Attention could be talking to them (or screaming at them in exasperation), going to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or even just catching their eye. Attention is sort of a reward to a dog so they may do it even more often. It could also make a dog think that their behavior is the right way to behave because you gave them attention for it.
8. Use Medication or Stress Reducing Products
There are herbal products that may be bought from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that aim to help with dog calming. These are generally believed to be safer than drugs, and have fewer, or no side-effects. Other products like the Thundershirt, Anxiety Wrap or DAP can also help some dogs relax. Only consider using dog anxiety medication in acute circumstances and always take guidance from you vet first.
About the Author:
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website which provides help and information for dog owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about dog calming methods, when you visit the site.