Need to figure out how to calm an over excited dog? It’s an important skill to teach your dog and absolutely worth it, especially if you love outdoor adventures with your dog.
As much as we love our furry friends, dealing with an overly excited dog can be a challenge. Whether they’re jumping up on guests, barking incessantly, or simply unable to settle down, an overly excited dog can create stress and chaos in your home.
That’s why it’s important to learn how to calm them down and manage their excitement levels. In this post, we’ll share some tips and tricks for calming an overly excited dog, including training techniques, environmental management strategies, and additional tools that can help ease their anxiety and reduce their overall level of excitement.
Understanding Your Dogs Excitement
Understanding your dog’s excitement is the first step to managing it effectively and helping your dog calm down.
There are several reasons why dogs can become overly excited, including a lack of exercise or mental stimulation, fear or anxiety, or simply being overstimulated by their environment.
For example, a dog that hasn’t had enough physical activity may have excess energy that they need to burn off, leading to hyperactivity and excitability.
Similarly, a dog that is anxious or fearful may exhibit excessive excitement as a coping mechanism.
Sometimes simply the sight of another dog can cause extreme excitement. In which case you should read our guide on training your dog to ignore other dogs.
By understanding what triggers your dog’s excitement, you can better manage their behavior and help them feel more calm and relaxed in stressful situations. I
n the next section, we’ll discuss some training techniques you can use to help calm an overly excited dog.
Training Techniques to Calm your Dog
Now that we’ve discussed the reasons behind overly excited behavior in dogs, let’s dive into some training techniques that can help you calm your dog down.
One effective method is to teach them basic obedience commands like “sit” and “stay.”
These simple commands can help distract your dog from their excitement and redirect their focus onto you.
Positive reinforcement techniques like clicker training can also be helpful in teaching your dog to remain calm and focused.
By rewarding good behavior with treats or praise, you’ll encourage them to repeat those behaviors in the future.
These exercises will help them learn to relax and stay calm even when they’re feeling excited.
With these training techniques under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to having a happy, calm dog who knows how to manage their excitement levels.
- “Sit” and “Stay” Commands: Teach your dog the basic obedience commands of “sit” and “stay”. These commands help distract your dog from their excitement, redirect their focus onto you, and encourage them to remain calm.
- Clicker Training: Use clicker training as a positive reinforcement technique. This involves rewarding good behavior with treats or praise, which encourages your dog to repeat those behaviors in the future.
- Down-stay Exercise: The down-stay exercise is a relaxation technique that helps teach your dog to relax and stay calm even when they’re feeling excited. Start by having your dog lie down and stay in one spot for a few seconds at a time, gradually increasing the duration over time.
- Deep Breathing Exercises: Encourage your dog to take deep breaths by gently stroking their chest or belly while they’re lying down. This will help them relax and calm down.
- Time-outs: If your dog is getting too excited or worked up, give them a time-out in a quiet area where they can calm down and relax.
- “Leave It” Command: Teach your dog the “leave it” command to redirect their attention away from things that may be causing them excitement or stress, such as other dogs or toys.
- “Quiet” Command: If your dog tends to bark excessively when they’re excited, teach them the “quiet” command. This involves rewarding them when they stop barking and remain calm.
- “Settle” Command: Use the “settle” command to encourage your dog to relax and settle down in a specific spot, such as a bed or crate.
If you encounter any issues while trying these techniques, don’t worry! Troubleshooting common problems is all part of the process. For example, if your dog isn’t responding to positive reinforcement or obedience commands, it may be helpful to seek out a professional trainer who can offer additional guidance and support.
Managing Your Dogs Environment
Managing your dog’s environment can be an effective way to prevent overstimulation and reduce their over excitement. Here are some tips to help you create a calming environment that’ll help promote calm behavior.
- Provide Plenty of Exercise Opportunities: Regular mental and physical exercise is crucial for your dog’s health, and it can also help reduce their excitement levels. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise each day, whether it’s through walks, playtime, or other activities.
- Create a Calming Space in Your Home: Designate a specific area in your home where your dog can go to relax and unwind. This might include a cozy bed or crate in a quiet room away from noisy distractions.
- Avoid Overstimulating Situations: If you know that certain situations tend to trigger your dog’s excitement, such as visits from guests or trips to the park, try to avoid them or limit their exposure until your dog has learned how to manage their excitement levels.
Remember that every dog is different, so what works for one may not work for another.
It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of strategies that work best for managing your individual pet’s excitement levels.
With patience and persistence, however, you can help create a calmer environment for both you and your furry friend.
Recognize Your Own Excitement Levels
It’s important to recognize that a dog’s excitement levels can also be influenced by their owner’s behavior and energy.
Dogs are highly attuned to their owners’ emotions and body language, so if you’re feeling anxious or stressed, your dog may pick up on those cues and become more excitable.
To help your dog stay calm, it’s important to remain as calm and relaxed as possible yourself. This means avoiding sudden movements or loud noises that could startle your pet, speaking in a soothing tone of voice, and maintaining a steady breathing rhythm.
It can also be helpful to establish clear rules and boundaries for your dog’s behavior. For example, if your dog tends to get overly excited when greeting guests at the door, consider training them to sit or lie down calmly before being allowed to approach visitors.
You can reinforce this behavior with treats or praise when they follow through with the desired action. Ignoring excited behavior at home is another way to train your dog that they’ll get no attention when overly excited.
Other Tips and Tricks to Calm Your Dog
Other tips you can do to calm an over excited dog include:
- Provide Mental Stimulation: In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation can also help reduce your dog’s excitement levels. Consider using puzzle toys, interactive games, or training sessions to engage your dog’s mind and tire them out mentally.
- Practice Relaxation Techniques: Teaching your dog relaxation techniques such as “down-stay” or “settle” can help them learn how to calm down on command. Incorporate these techniques into your daily routine to reinforce good behavior.
- Stick to a Routine: Dogs thrive on routine and predictability, so try to establish a consistent daily schedule for feeding, exercise, and playtime. This can help reduce stress and anxiety in your pet.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding calm behavior with treats or praise can encourage your dog to continue behaving calmly and positively in different situations.
- Seek Professional Help: If you’re having trouble managing your dog’s excitement levels, consider consulting with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can provide personalized advice and guidance.
Remember training with help calm your dog’s behavior creating an opportunity for you and your furry friend to enjoy adventures together. With the right strategies in place, you can help promote a happier, healthier life for both you and your furry friend.
