Reasons, Signs, and Some Tricks to Manage the Hyper-Activity of Your Puppy
Introduction of Hyper-Activity
People often confuse hyper-activity with happiness. Happy dogs are different from hyper dogs and the happy ones are usually calmer. Hyper-activity in puppies can turn out to be a serious problem for many dog owners as they might find it difficult to manage the dog and their misbehavior.
However, before being able to manage the problem, one needs to understand why some puppies are so hyper, and they also need to be aware of the signs of hyper-activity.
Why Are Some Puppies So Hyper?
Many puppies are too energetic and out of control. For some puppies, this period of hyper-activeness is temporary; however, if not managed, it can lead to permanency. There are a few reasons that can answer the question: why is my puppy so hyper?
Puppies Are Unable to Control Their Energy Levels
Puppies have tons of energy, especially for the first year of their lives. Since they are new to this world, everything is exciting to them and the only way they know to show their excitement is by excessive jumping, running, barking, and sometimes even biting.
They Might Be Overstimulated
Overstimulated puppies start acting out and showing hyper-active behavior. With lots of new scents around for puppies, there is so much to sniff and become overwhelmed. The longer day they have had, the more things they might have experienced that result in overstimulation and hyper-activity.
Lack of Mental Stimulation
Physical exercise is important for dogs; however, puppies also need some work for the brain. They might be acting out simply because they are bored and they are trying to entertain themselves by being hyperactive.
They Might Be Overtired
As with human infants, puppies also become hyper when they are overtired. They are unable to fall asleep or rest and have a harder time settling down in such a situation. They lose control and start acting out too.
Your Behavior Might Be Causing the Hyper-Activity
Dogs are experts at sensing how their owners are feeling even when they are only puppies. They then react to their owner’s emotions. Therefore, in some cases, if a puppy is acting out, it might be because the owner has been restless and running around or being too loud.
Signs That Can Help Tell If a Puppy Is Hyper-Active
As mentioned earlier, happiness is different from hyper-activity and a few symptoms can help one in identifying a hyperactive puppy.
Lots of Aimless Barking
Dogs usually bark towards someone or something but hyperactive dogs are a little different. One of the very obvious signs of hyperactive puppies is that they bark, wail, and howl loudly and aimlessly.
They Are Restless All the Time
Another one of the most evident signs of an overactive puppy is that they are restless. They show excessive panting, they whine and whimper a lot, and they can be seen pacing or circling pretty much all the time. Moreover, hyper-active puppies also show continuous changes in sleep patterns.
However, it should be noted that restless puppies do not only mean that they are hyper-active. There might be other reasons for their restlessness, such as Cushing’s disease and separation anxiety. In such a case, a veterinarian should be consulted.
They Are Clingier Than Other Pups
Some overactive dogs are extremely clingy; however, this is not a sign that is common in all hyper-active dogs. Some dogs behave in this way because they are usually waiting for their human friends to do something enjoyable so they can get an opportunity to burn off some of their extra energy.
They Get Into Trouble Often
Since hyper-active dogs have lots of energy, they are always looking for things to do, and the types of things they do get them into trouble. The things they may be doing include chewing on furniture and other things of the house, digging into garbage cans, scratching the furniture, biting people, making a mess around the house or in your backyard, etc. Such puppies may also have a shorter attention span.
How to Manage the Hyper-Activity
After knowing the signs of a hyperactive puppy and understanding the reasons behind such behavior, managing the hyper-activeness becomes easier. There are a few ways in which one can manage a hyperactive puppy and help them become calm.
Set up a Routine
As with children, puppies also need to know what to expect to stay calm. Therefore, routines are of utmost importance in keeping them calm. By eliminating uncertainty and setting proper routines, a puppy would know when it’s time to play and when it is to relax and rest. They will also learn how to play too.
Naps are also important for little pups. This helps in avoiding overtiredness that can lead to hyper-activity. Setting a napping schedule can help. Therefore, make sure to include a few naps in the routine too.
Allow Enough Mental Stimulation
It’s important to incorporate brain games into a puppy’s daily routine. There are many ways in which you can provide your puppy with some mental stimulation in a fun and playful way. It could include something like a scent game, teaching them tricks, or giving them a food puzzle where they will have to work to get to their food.
Moreover, taking your dogs on a walk every day at a fixed time not only helps them physically but can help get them mentally stimulated also. However, make sure not to overdo it and make them overstimulated. It might take a few days to know what and how much of it works best for your little puppy friend.
Stay Calm
Since puppies can sense their owner’s emotions, one must stay calm in intense situations. This will not only help them stay calm but also teach them how to behave in such situations. For example, running to answer the doorbell and greeting guests over-enthusiastically will teach your puppy to do the same, but if you stay relaxed and receive guests calmly, your dog will too.
Try Out Aromatherapy
Dogs and puppies mostly experience the world through their noses. Giving them something to smell that has a calming effect can help soothe them down. Lavender is known to have a relaxing effect on humans and it can help do the same for pets. One can consult a veterinarian or someone who practices aromatherapy to find out what is safe and suitable for puppies.
Conclusion
Some puppies can be hyper-active. This can be because they are overstimulated, overtired, do not have enough mental stimulation, or are simply reciprocating their owner’s behavior. An understanding of these reasons can help dog owners in managing hyper-activity and helping their puppies become calmer.
The most important thing a dog owner can do is to set a proper routine for their puppies early on so they know when to play, how to play, and when to rest. Within this routine, including mental stimulation activities is also highly important.
