What to do if your puppy is boisterous? Causes and immediate help

A puppy brings a lot of joy, but also challenges - especially when it is boisterous. Dog owners often wonder why their young four-legged friend shows so much energy and how they should deal with it. We explain the most common causes of over-excited behavior and give you practical immediate help. You will learn how you can help your puppy to calm down and develop balanced behavior in the long term.

Table of contents

Signs of an overexcited puppy

There are clear signs that dog owners can recognize in order to react appropriately at the right moment.

Uncontrolled, hyperactive behavior

One of the most obvious signs that your puppy is hyper is hyperactive behavior. This behavior often occurs suddenly and seemingly for no apparent reason, especially at times when your puppy should be tired.

Running wildThe puppy runs frantically around the house or garden, often without a clear destination or direction. This behavior is often referred to as "Zoomie" and can start from one moment to the next.
Constant movementEven in situations where the puppy should be calm, it has difficulty sitting still. Over-excited puppies tend to keep jumping up, jumping up on furniture or jumping up on people without responding to instructions or commands. He is constantly changing position, running back and forth or trying to find new stimuli to attract his attention.

Excessive barking and howling

Another typical sign of an over-excited puppy is excessive barking. While puppies naturally bark to attract attention or express their needs, excessive and incessant barking is often a sign of over-excitement.

Incessant barkingThe puppy barks for seemingly no reason and is difficult to calm down. This behavior is often accompanied by other signs of hyperactivity, such as constant running or jumping around.
Howling and whiningSome puppies show their overactivity not only by barking, but also by constant whining or whimpering. This can be a sign that the puppy is overstimulated and cannot relax.

Excessive biting and chewing

Puppies often explore their world with their mouths, and it is normal for them to occasionally nibble on objects or bite gently when playing. However, an overexcited puppy can take this behavior to extremes.

Excessive bitingThe puppy bites anything that gets in its way, be it hands, furniture or toys. In contrast to playful nibbling, biting becomes more intense and sometimes more painful, indicating that the puppy is losing control of its impulses.
Destructive chewingAnother sign is constant chewing on objects that are not intended for chewing, such as shoes, furniture or clothing. This often happens at times when the puppy is overstimulated and trying to release excess energy.

Difficulties finding peace and quiet

An overexcited puppy often has great difficulty relaxing or calming down, even when he is obviously tired. You will notice that your puppy is restless and fidgety in situations where he should normally be sleeping or resting.

Restless behaviorThe puppy is constantly tossing and turning, cannot find a comfortable place and frequently changes its lying position. Even in his sleeping area he can't rest and is constantly on the move.
InsomniaAlthough puppies need up to 18 hours of sleep a day in the first few months of their lives, an over-excited puppy is often unable to keep to these rest periods. He appears overtired, but remains active and hyper.

Aggressive or excessive play

Your puppy can also be overstimulated when playing. While normal play behavior is important for development, there are clear signs that a puppy is going too far and crossing the line between play and overstimulation.

Game too intenseAn overstimulated puppy may become too rough in play, bite harder or display behavior that appears almost aggressive. This often happens when the puppy can no longer distinguish between playful and serious behavior.
Neglect of signalsIf the puppy is overexcited, it hardly reacts to your signals or commands. The body language of other dogs or people is also ignored, which leads to an escalation of play behavior.

Immediate help with excessive behavior

Here are a few tried-and-tested immediate remedies that you can use to quickly calm down a boisterous puppy. These methods are easy to apply and will help you to channel your puppy's excess energy and calm him down.

Create a calm environment

One of the most effective immediate remedies for over-excited puppies is to create a calm and relaxed environment. Overstimulation is often caused by too many external stimuli that overwhelm the puppy. A low-stimulus environment helps to minimize excitement.

Create peace and quietTurn off the TV or loud music and make sure that there are no hectic movements or too many people in the room. Your puppy will then need fewer stimuli to calm down.
Create a place of retreatOffer your puppy a fixed place where he can retreat to, for example a quiet room or his dog crate. This can help him to feel safe and secure and to concentrate on relaxing.
Dim the lightIn overstimulated moments, dimming the light can also help to calm them down. Dimmed lighting signals to the puppy that it is time to relax.

A calm environment can work wonders when it comes to curbing the first burst of exuberant energy and preparing the puppy for relaxation.

Introduce calming rituals

Puppies react positively to rituals that give them a sense of security and routine. In stressful situations, these rituals help your puppy to calm down more quickly.

Gentle strokingSlow, steady stroking over the back can help your puppy to relax. Avoid hectic or restless movements so as not to agitate him even more.
Quiet voiceSpeak softly and reassuringly to your puppy. Use an even tone of voice that conveys security. The calming voice of a familiar person can have a great influence on the puppy's relaxation.
Relaxing musicQuiet background music or special calming music for dogs can also help to reduce stress levels and relieve excitement. Try out what works best for your dog.

Targeted games for utilization

Sometimes overexcitement is due to your puppy being physically and mentally underchallenged. In such cases, targeted games can help to relieve excess energy in a sensible way.

Intelligence toysThese toys challenge your puppy mentally and help him to focus his attention. Games where he has to sniff out treats or solve little puzzles are a great way to keep his mind occupied without the puppy needing more physical exercise.
Search gamesHide treats or toys around the house and let your puppy search for them. This not only challenges him mentally, but also encourages him to concentrate.
Gentle gamesIf your puppy craves exercise, short, controlled games such as fetch can help burn off his energy without overtaxing him. However, make sure you end the game before your puppy becomes hyperactive again.

Such games help your puppy to use his energy constructively and to be challenged at the same time.

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Encourage rest periods

Puppies need a lot of sleep, but they sometimes find it hard to settle down on their own - especially when the world around them is so exciting and new. By keeping to regular rest periods, you can help him to relax and recover better.

Regular bedtimesTry to introduce fixed bedtimes for your puppy. This creates a routine and helps him to adjust better to rest periods. After an intensive play or training phase, it is particularly important to give your puppy the opportunity to rest.
Undisturbed peace and quietMake sure that your puppy is not disturbed during his resting phase - neither by loud noises nor by other pets or people. This is especially true if he is already showing signs of overstimulation.
Integrate relaxation phases into everyday lifePlan regular rest periods in which your puppy can relax. This could be after a walk, a training session or an exciting experience. This teaches him that active phases are always followed by quiet times.

If you help your puppy to have regular and undisturbed rest periods, you will help him to recover more quickly and make him less prone to overstimulation.

When professional help is necessary

In many cases, a puppy's conspicuous behavior can be brought under control with targeted training measures and a good understanding of its needs. Sometimes, however, even the best tips and tricks are not enough to permanently change the behavior. Then it can make sense to seek professional help. We explain when it is advisable to consult a dog trainer or behaviorist and which signs indicate that your puppy's behavior is indicative of an underlying problem.

When the behavior becomes chronic

A young puppy who occasionally gets hyper is exhibiting normal, developmental behavior. However, if your puppy regularly gets into a hyper state and these moments become longer and longer, this may be a sign of a deeper problem.

Chronic restlessnessIf your puppy does not calm down even after specific activities and regular rest breaks and is constantly hyperactive, you should seek professional help. Chronic restlessness can not only put a strain on living together, but can also indicate stress or inner imbalance.
Sleep problemsPuppies need plenty of sleep to develop healthily. If, despite your best efforts, your puppy has difficulty sleeping regularly or is often over-excited and restless at night, an expert can help to find out the cause and take appropriate measures.

An experienced dog trainer or behavioral therapist can help you identify the causes of this chronic behavior and show you how to help your puppy become calmer in the long term.

When aggression occurs

Exaggerated behavior can sometimes turn into aggression. Caution is advised here, as aggressive behavior in puppies should not be underestimated. Often, however, there is no malicious intent behind it, but excessive demands or fear.

Biting and snappingIf your puppy tends to bite or snap painfully when overstimulated and you can no longer control him, it's time to seek professional help. A dog trainer can help you find the right balance between consistency and positive reinforcement.
Growling and threateningIf your puppy regularly growls or makes threatening gestures in stressful situations, this may be a sign of an underlying behavioral problem that should be treated by a professional. Such behaviors are not uncommon in puppies, but should not be ignored.

A behavioral therapist can help you find out the cause of the aggression and show you how to handle the situation properly to get the puppy back on the right track.

If health problems are suspected

Sometimes hyper behavior is not only a sign of poor training or excessive energy, but can also indicate health problems. Puppies who are unwell or in pain can show restlessness and nervousness, which can be misinterpreted as hyper behavior.

Sudden changes in behaviorIf your puppy suddenly becomes excessively restless or nervous for no apparent reason, this may indicate a health problem. In this case, you should first consult a vet to rule out physical causes such as pain, discomfort or other illnesses.
Lack of concentrationIf your puppy shows no improvement despite training and clear structures and cannot concentrate on anything, this may also indicate health problems or even neurological disorders.

If you suspect that there are health problems behind your puppy's behavior, it is advisable to consult a vet or behavioral therapist at an early stage. These specialists can specifically investigate whether there are physical causes for the behavior and suggest appropriate measures.

If you feel overwhelmed

Sometimes, as a dog owner, you simply feel overwhelmed. Raising a puppy is a wonderful but also exhausting task that requires a lot of patience and empathy. If you have the feeling that you are not getting anywhere on your own or that raising a puppy is becoming too much for you, you should not be afraid to seek professional help.

UncertaintyIf you are unsure how to react to your puppy's conspicuous behavior or if you feel that your previous measures are not having any effect, an experienced dog trainer can give you valuable tips.
Educational counselingEven if there are no serious problems yet, it can be useful to consult a trainer or counselor as a preventative measure. They can show you how to apply the right training strategies right from the start and prepare you better for the challenges of raising a puppy.

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, quite the opposite. It shows that you want the best for your puppy and are willing to learn and grow from your situation.

Conclusion

There are many situations in which it makes sense to seek professional help for an overwhelmed puppy. Whether it's chronic behavior, aggression, health problems or simply handling insecurities, an experienced dog trainer, behavior specialist or veterinarian can help you identify the cause of the behavior and find targeted solutions.

The path to a balanced dog takes time and patience, but with the right support you can give your puppy the best possible support and give you both a happy and relaxed life.

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