Without a doubt German Shepherd puppies are some of the cutest little guys out there.
Those big floppy ears are enough to make any dog owner melt.
But they are definitely a high energy dog breed, and that can be a lot for a new dog owner.
You may even be wondering ifGerman Shepherds ever calm down.
Well, I will try to answer that question for your below based on my own experience with myGerman Shepherd puppy, Captain.
Why AreGerman Shepherd Dogs So Hyper?
As you may know,German Shepherds have a LOT of energy.
It seems like you can tire them out with play and 10 minutes later they are up and ready for another round.
Sound exhausting? It feels like it!
The reason thatGerman Shepherds are so hyper is that they are a breed that is considered a working dog.
Historically they were bred to work, and that has resulted in them having a crazy high energy level that seems like it will never end.
Luckily, there are some steps that you can take to slow things down and get some semblance of calmness with yourGerman Shepherd.
How To Calm Down YourGerman Shepherd
Here are a few tips to help you steer yourGerman Shepherd to a calmer existence in your home.
1. Exercise The Dog Regularly
Just like with little kids, you need to wear out a dog to help him calm down and release that pent up energy.
And I’m not just talking about regular walks.
Go on long walks with your dog, or even runs with your dog.
Have regularly scheduled playtime with your dog each day to expend some of that energy.
2. Have A Regular Routine With The Dog
Nothing increases a dog’s energy levels quite like a new experience.
That is why it is so important to establish a routine that you stick to with a dog.
This includes everything from when you feed the dog, to when you play with the dog, to when you walk the dog, to when you take the pup to the dog park.
If your dog knows what to expect, then his energy levels will stabilize and you’ll eliminate that hyperactivity that comes with an uncertain schedule.
3. Keep Him Occupied
Just like us, dogs get bored if they’re just sitting at home with nothing to do all day.
So, you need to keep the dog occupied so that he doesn’t get restless and hyper.
Interactive dog toys that offer some mental stimulation are the perfect solution to this.
Things like puzzle feeders and treat dispensers are the perfect way to give your dog some mental stimulation during the day.
4. Put Your Dog In Obedience Training
Many dog owners neglect to see the importance of obedience training, but it actually helps to calm your dog down.
Once your dog is trained to listen to and respond to your commands, then you can diffuse any situation where you dog gets too hyper.
5. Don’t Neglect Crate Training
Though it sounds like punishment to some dog owners, crate training is actually an important part of owning a dog and keeping him calm.
With crate training, a dog is taught to associate the crate with safety and security, which leads to calmness.
This means if your dog is acting too hyper, then you just put him in the crate and he knows to calm down.
What Age Will YourGerman Shepherd Calm Down?
Generally speaking,German Shepherds take a little longer than most dogs to calm down.
You can start to expect to see a bit of calmness start in yourGerman Shepherd between ages 5 years to 7 years.
Yes, I know, that is a really long time compared to most breeds.
The sad reality is that calm for aGerman Shepherd is still full of energy.
So, while you will notice that yourGerman Shepherd is not as hyper as he used to be, he will not exactly be lethargic either.
But, using the tips above will help you start to see more calmness in your German Shepherd.
Final Word
As you can see,German Shepherds are a breed that are high energy almost until the very end of their life.
It will take you longer than with most breeds to see them calm down, and even thenGerman Shepherds still have a lot of energy.