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 how to be relaxed and calm around your dogs as they are extremely attuned to moods and their hyper active behaviour may simply be a reaction to the way that you are feeling. Dogs often look to their owners to know how they react in challenging circumstances, so if you stay calm at times when your dog is showing indications of stress, they may follow the lead from you and be calmer themselves.
2. Become the Pack Leader
Make sure your dog doesn't see themselves as leader of the pack as this makes them accountable for the safeness of the rest of the pack (you and other folks in your house) and the decision maker. This is a hard job for a dog living in a world they don't understand and often causes them a lot of anxiousness. Learn the way to show them that you are the pack leader as this may reduce fearful behaviour significantly and can be a highly effective dog calming approach.
Being pack leader does not mean you've got to be harsh with your dog or use dominant techniques like pinning them down, it is more about showing them that you are the decision maker and your dog should then willingly 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 Plenty 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
Make sure you don't reinforce their behaviour by paying attention to it. Attention may be speaking to them (or maybe roaring at them in annoyance), attempting to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or maybe just catching their eye. Attention is similar to a reward to a dog so they may do it more frequently. It can also make a dog think that their behaviour is the correct way to behave as you gave them attention for it.
8. Use Medicine or Stress Reducing Products
There are herbal products that can be purchased from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that claim to help with dog calming. These are typically thought to be more safe than drugs, and have less, or no side effects. Other products like the Thundershirt, Anxiety Wrap or DAP can also help some dogs calm down. Only think about getting dog anxiety medication in extreme situations and always take advice from you vet first.
1. Stay Calm Yourself
Learn how to be relaxed and calm around your dogs as they are extremely attuned to moods and their hyper active behaviour may simply be a reaction to the way that you are feeling. Dogs often look to their owners to know how they react in challenging circumstances, so if you stay calm at times when your dog is showing indications of stress, they may follow the lead from you and be calmer themselves.
2. Become the Pack Leader
Make sure your dog doesn't see themselves as leader of the pack as this makes them accountable for the safeness of the rest of the pack (you and other folks in your house) and the decision maker. This is a hard job for a dog living in a world they don't understand and often causes them a lot of anxiousness. Learn the way to show them that you are the pack leader as this may reduce fearful behaviour significantly and can be a highly effective dog calming approach.
Being pack leader does not mean you've got to be harsh with your dog or use dominant techniques like pinning them down, it is more about showing them that you are the decision maker and your dog should then willingly 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 Plenty 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
Make sure you don't reinforce their behaviour by paying attention to it. Attention may be speaking to them (or maybe roaring at them in annoyance), attempting to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or maybe just catching their eye. Attention is similar to a reward to a dog so they may do it more frequently. It can also make a dog think that their behaviour is the correct way to behave as you gave them attention for it.
8. Use Medicine or Stress Reducing Products
There are herbal products that can be purchased from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that claim to help with dog calming. These are typically thought to be more safe than drugs, and have less, or no side effects. Other products like the Thundershirt, Anxiety Wrap or DAP can also help some dogs calm down. Only think about getting dog anxiety medication in extreme situations and always take advice 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.
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