If you’ve got a new puppy at home, then you might be wondering when this little four-legged tornado will calm down and stop being so hyper.
Puppies are well known for their high energy levels, which can be challenging even for the most patient dog owner.
If you’re feeling at your wit’s end and wondering when you’ll get a chance to breath, then we’ll tell you what to expect with those puppy energy levels.
And, we’ll give you some tips on how to calmness in your little furball of terror.
About That Puppy Energy
If there is one thing for certain, it is that puppies are high energy level little creatures, just like baby humans.
They seem to be excited by everything in the world around them because they are often discovering it for the first time.
And they never seem to get tired of getting into things, do they?
Well, I have some potentially bad news for you.
There is no set age when puppies calm down. Because it varies by breed and individual dog.
What’s really weird is that some puppies are born super chill and never really have high energy.
That being said, there are some guideline we can follow to get a better idea of when your puppy will lose some of that hyper energy level.
Breed
That fact is that breed plays a large part in the temperament of your puppy.
Some breeds are naturally more hyper while others are naturally more calm.
Just ask any owner of a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever puppy and they will tell you that those breeds seem to be on high energy all the time.
Other breeds that are known for their high energy levels include:
- Terriers
- Dachshunds
- Greyhounds
- Border Collies
- Huskies
Among these high energy breeds, you can expect it to take longer to reach that state of calm than with other breeds.
This means you’ll have an adult dog with puppy energy levels.
Size
Another important factor that affects dog energy levels is the size of the dog.
Typically, smaller dogs mature faster than larger dogs.
That means that smaller dogs calm down sooner than larger dogs.
Keep in mind that this is a generalization and will not be true for all small dogs or large dogs due to other factors.
Gender
Just like with humans, female dogs tend to mature faster than male dogs.
And with that maturity comes the decline in puppy energy levels.
This means that female dogs tend to grow out of those high energy puppy years before a male dog.
Social Setting
The social setting you have for your dog also affects how soon it matures and calms down.
Families with more than one dog at home tend to notice that their puppies calm down sooner than single dog homes.
This is because dogs are pack animals and the puppy takes cues from the older animals in the pack.
The same applies if you socialize your dog with other dogs and take him outside to parks, etc. sooner rather than later.
If you keep your dog at home most of the time, then going out is something new and that causes energy spikes.
But, if you’ve been taking him to the local park for a while, then it’s not an exciting new experience for him.
How Puppy Energy Levels Change Over Time
As previously mentioned, all dogs mature at their own pace but we can draw some general conclusions based on the average energy level changes for puppies.
Here’s a quick timeline of puppy energy level changes.
Age: Newborn to 10 Weeks
During this period you will notice a lot of big changes in puppy energy levels.
After birth, the newborn puppy is too dependent on its mother to have much energy.
As the time progresses, the puppy starts to venture out away from momma, but she grabs that little rascal and brings him back to her.
When she feels like the time is right, the momma dog will let the puppy start wandering on his own.
This is when the high energy level starts.
Basically as soon as the puppy can run and walk, then you better get outta the way!
Age: 10 Weeks to 16 Weeks
At this point, you’re already getting used to the non-stop high energy level of your little doggo.
This is a good time to get your pup into some dog training, but expect it to have a short attention span.
Many people consider this period to be the “teenage years” for a dog.
Expect your puppy to get into everything that he can find.
He’ll also start chewing on everything during this period as it is when puppies start teething.
Age: Four Months to Six Months
By now the teething period is over, you’ve started the pup in dog training sessions, and he is fully vaccinated.
If you haven’t already, this is a good time to take him out and start socializing with other dogs and people.
Expect to see really high energy levels from your dog when you have him out socializing.
Age: Six Months to One Year
Sorry to break it to you, but your dog will still be high energy during this period.
Yes, he should have an established routine with few new experiences, yet the energy level is still through the roof.
Continue getting regular exercise and socializing with other dogs. You may also need to continue some dog training sessions.
Toward the end of this period, you may notice that energy level of your pup start to decline a bit.
But don’t worry if that is not the case for your dog.
Age: One Year to Two Years
This is the period where puppies officially reach adulthood.
Usually what you will notice is that your dog still has a lot of energy when outside and when playing, but does exhibit some calmness in the house.
Keep in mind that it takes larger dogs longer to mature, so with them you’re looking more at the end of this period for the calmness to set in a bit.
5 Ways To Help Your Dog Calm Down
In case you’re wondering how to calm your dog down, there are few steps you can take to promote calmness in your doggo.
Use the tips below to take steps to reduce the energy level of your pup.
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.
Final Word
As you can see, puppies are naturally high energy little beasts that won’t grow out of it anytime soon.
Luckily for them, they are adorable so we can manage through all the madness.
Hopefully our energy level timeline above gives you an idea of what to expect with your doggo.
And, if you still think that energy level is too high, then you can use our tips to promote calmness in your dog.