One of the best ways to manage over-excitement is to direct your puppy's energy toward something healthy like an activity or toy. Structured play like Fetch, plus access to mentally stimulating puzzle games and toys, are all super useful tools to help your puppy maintain activeness. Do reward calm behavior.
Keep them Occupied. Keeping a favouirite “sleepy time” toy in their crate can be useful way in case your puppy gets bored during the night. Chewable (and preferably indestructible) toys can be soothing to pups (especially if they're teething) - but avoid toys with a squeaker (for obvious reasons!)
When dogs experience anxiety, music or white noise can help calm them down. This provides a soothing and calming environment, and it can naturally reduce their stress and anxiety levels. White noise or music can also drown out the unpredictable noises from thunderstorms or fireworks that trigger anxiety.
Insufficient rest during the day
Some dogs get nighttime zoomies because they didn't receive a sufficient amount of rest during the day. Sort of like a grumpy, overly-tired child, the puppy becomes restless and needs to expend energy before collapsing into a deep sleep.
Give them calming supplements.
Chamomile, pet-friendly CBD oils, and melatonin are all good options for helping lower your dog's heart rate. Check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any over-the-counter supplements to ensure you're giving your dog the correct dose.
Stop feeding them an hour before bedtime. Cuddle, pet, or massage your dog to help calm them down. Play relaxing music. Take them out to use the bathroom last thing before settling down to sleep.
From 6 to 12 Months
While your puppy may now look like a full-grown adult dog, he's still a puppy. At this age, you might see bursts of puppy energy levels and continued boundary testing. That's why it's essential to make sure your puppy still gets plenty of structured play and exercise.
The “Witching Hour”
Many owners find that 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. bring out the worst in their puppies! If you know that a particular time of day prompts crazy biting, do your best to manage/prevent the behaviour and engage your puppy otherwise.
Puppies can often get overstimulated which causes them to get into a biting frenzy, or just like a toddler that throws a tantrum when it's time for a nap, your puppy may be showing you that they need crate/playpen time to unwind and relax. Puppies also may bite in order to get OUR ATTENTION!
Mouthing and play biting is a common phase for most pups and I often reassure owners that their pet will almost always grow out of it when they're around three to five months old. Biting is also part of the natural teething process – this normally lasts until your pup is around seven months of age.
Generally, most puppies will start to settle between 6 - 12 months, but as mentioned above there are a few other factors that can impact puppy energy levels. Some might say that female dogs are calmer dogs due to the fact they mature quicker than males, however a more impactful factor to consider would be their breed.
One way to do this is to show your dog what you want or don't want it to do. For example, hold a treat and show it to your dog. As your dog tries to get it, say “no,” and close your fist around the treat. Let your dog sniff and lick at your hand, but don't give it the treat.
For dogs under 6 months of age, much hyper and aggressive behavior is simply puppy play. But that doesn't mean that you should just green light it and allow it to continue. You must teach your puppy boundaries and the earlier you teach them the better.
Referred to by some as 'the mad half hour', zoomies are simply a way for our loveable hounds to let off some steam and release any pent-up energy. Very common in young puppies, in particular, zoomies most commonly kick in after a bath, in the evening, or during play.
Puppy difficulty at ages 2-3 months
A smaller percentage of owners voted 8-12 weeks as the toughest age.
First time being accountable for another life: The concept of another living being relying solely on you is something many dog owners don't consider before adopting a puppy. Having a puppy constantly looking toward you for guidance, food, and stimulation is oftentimes overwhelming to pet owners.
And remember, if you have moments where you regret getting a puppy, that is fine! It is a totally normal feeling! Here are 5 things to do to help you when times are tough with your pup and you're feeling regret. The relationship you can form with your puppy can be one of the most important relationships in your life!
normal. It's OK to feel scared – everyone does. New owners worry about whether their puppy is healthy and happy, whether they are doing things right, and ultimately if they are going to be any good at being a dog owner. You are out of your comfort zone and everything is new so these feelings are totally natural.
Female dogs tend to be more responsive to training and are often less prone to wandering off or trying to swap training time for cuddling time! They are also better at socializing with other dogs, which can make it easier when you're out and about trying to reinforce training.