Hyperactivity, nervousness, and anxiety can be caused by a dog's high energy levels. Managing these behaviors at home can improve your dog's well-being and promote calm and positive behavior.
A puppy has a lot more energy than an adult dog, they go through a sensitive socialization stage where they want to explore everything. The dogs don't chew up your stuff or urinate in the house to annoy you, they're still learning. All puppies and young dogs pass through this process and once they reach adulthood, their activity levels will decrease and their temperament will improve. Hyperactivity in adult dogs can be a result of genetics, training, and owner care. Is your dog hyper or anxious? What can you do? These five tips are simple and effective.
1. Practice Education and Obedience
The basics of obedience can be used to keep your dog calm instead of teaching them to obey mechanically. It's helpful for guiding your dog in situations where it might feel restless or anxious. Your dog might get confused in an unfamiliar place, like a vet's office or a stranger's home, and start barking or jumping at people.
A familiar command word like stay or sit can bring the dog peace of mind in these moments of insecurity, so the first step is education. Make sure you use positive training techniques. Don't punish your dog when it makes a mistake, praise it if it behaves appropriately.
2. Ensure Daily Exercise is Provided
A daily walk allows a dog to exercise, explore, socialize, and relax. Three walks a day are usually good, two of them can be short walks of about 15 minutes each, and the other is a long walk of 40 to 60 minutes. It's best to adapt this advice to your dog's situation. It's much easier to keep a dog calm at home if it's properly exercised.
3. Give your Dog Some Playtime
Giving your dog enough time and space to play is also essential to keep them calm at other times. Maybe your dog loves running, chasing a ball, or jumping and climbing on an activity circuit. Some dogs just need a good game session to release pent-up energy, then they usually calm down and be more receptive. Avoid games where your dog gets over-excited, nervous, or obsessive. As long as they're properly socialized and vaccinated, it's also a good idea to let them play with other dogs.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement Toys
It's important to provide your dog with toys and accessories that promote calm behavior, especially for puppies, but also for older dogs. It helps them manage excitability and provides indirect positive reinforcement, like our food dispensing toys. When choosing a toy for your dog, make sure it's approved and appropriate for his age. You could also use long-lasting chew toys or recreational bones.
5. Build a Stronger Bond With your Dog
One of the most important things is trust between the dog and its owner. You can also give your dog a relaxing massage all over its body if you have a good relationship with them. Your dog will be generally calm when by your side to strengthen the bond. A soft voice is also good because your dog's behavior often reflects your attitude. If you shout or gesture, your dog might get worried or stressed.