Hyperactive dogs can cause chaos in a home, racing around, knocking things over, and launching themselves at people, and can be harmful if they begin to bite, or scratching.
When they're in this manic state it can be tricky to calm a dog down, which also makes it hard to take them out anywhere as their behavior is so untrustworthy.
Why do Dogs Become Hyperactive?
Most dogs are reacting to what is occurring in their environment, although there are one or two health problems that can cause hyperactivity, as well as some diet causes.
Anxiety in dogs, attention seeking and a dog being dominant and uncontrolled are all potential reasons for a dog's hyperactivity, so it's vital that you try and discover what lies behind your dog's problem before you decide how to approach stopping it.
Observe your dog over the following week and see if you can spot what triggers the hyperactivity. Notice how you react to it, and how they respond to you and then try some of the methods below that could help you create a calm dog.
The easy way to Alter Your Dogs Behaviour
Dogs will usually take a lead from the feelings they pick up around them, so if you are stressed out, or other people around your dog are stressed out, they will be picking up on it. This can make a dog feel anxious or intensify their existing anxiety. If you're calm you may find your dog quietens down too. Definitely reacting in a stressed out or irritated way to their behaviour is probably going to make it worse.
Show your dog you are the pack leader maker to help calm the situation. It will give confidence to a nervous dog, and allow you to impose your own house rules on a determined and badly behaved dog. There is no need to do this thru domination or force though; it's more about proving you are the decision maker in important areas that are critical to a dog.
Using Training to Modify Your Dog's Behaviour
Begin by taking a look at the training you have previously done with your dog. Do you think they need more training or have they lapsed into bad habits and you want to tighten up on the rules? How consistent are you in your expectancies of your dog? If you allow them to do something one day, but not the next , they won't know how you would like them to behave.
If your dog is suffering with anxiety, try some desensitization training to build their confidence and remove some of the triggers that set it off. Mixing this with proving that you are pack leader can be particularly effective.
Try giving your dog a result for hyper behaviour so they learn that their behavior is not acceptable. That does not imply hitting or punishing them, a fast 5 minutes time-out in a crate or alone in a room where they can't do any damage may be sufficient.
Indulge Your Dog in the Right Way
Ensure your dog gets some stimulation and exercise every day. It does not always have to be a lengthy walk, as games and other activities at home can be equally beneficial. But keep the games under your control by deciding when the game stops and starts. If the game gets out of hand, stop the game instantly as this is another way of giving them a consequence for bad behaviour.
Don't give your dog any attention while they are hyperactive. Walk away from them if at all possible or go in another room and don't talk to them, touch them or give them any eye contact. If they're acting this way because it will get your attention, they'll soon learn that it does not work and should stop their manic behavior.
When they're in this manic state it can be tricky to calm a dog down, which also makes it hard to take them out anywhere as their behavior is so untrustworthy.
Why do Dogs Become Hyperactive?
Most dogs are reacting to what is occurring in their environment, although there are one or two health problems that can cause hyperactivity, as well as some diet causes.
Anxiety in dogs, attention seeking and a dog being dominant and uncontrolled are all potential reasons for a dog's hyperactivity, so it's vital that you try and discover what lies behind your dog's problem before you decide how to approach stopping it.
Observe your dog over the following week and see if you can spot what triggers the hyperactivity. Notice how you react to it, and how they respond to you and then try some of the methods below that could help you create a calm dog.
The easy way to Alter Your Dogs Behaviour
Dogs will usually take a lead from the feelings they pick up around them, so if you are stressed out, or other people around your dog are stressed out, they will be picking up on it. This can make a dog feel anxious or intensify their existing anxiety. If you're calm you may find your dog quietens down too. Definitely reacting in a stressed out or irritated way to their behaviour is probably going to make it worse.
Show your dog you are the pack leader maker to help calm the situation. It will give confidence to a nervous dog, and allow you to impose your own house rules on a determined and badly behaved dog. There is no need to do this thru domination or force though; it's more about proving you are the decision maker in important areas that are critical to a dog.
Using Training to Modify Your Dog's Behaviour
Begin by taking a look at the training you have previously done with your dog. Do you think they need more training or have they lapsed into bad habits and you want to tighten up on the rules? How consistent are you in your expectancies of your dog? If you allow them to do something one day, but not the next , they won't know how you would like them to behave.
If your dog is suffering with anxiety, try some desensitization training to build their confidence and remove some of the triggers that set it off. Mixing this with proving that you are pack leader can be particularly effective.
Try giving your dog a result for hyper behaviour so they learn that their behavior is not acceptable. That does not imply hitting or punishing them, a fast 5 minutes time-out in a crate or alone in a room where they can't do any damage may be sufficient.
Indulge Your Dog in the Right Way
Ensure your dog gets some stimulation and exercise every day. It does not always have to be a lengthy walk, as games and other activities at home can be equally beneficial. But keep the games under your control by deciding when the game stops and starts. If the game gets out of hand, stop the game instantly as this is another way of giving them a consequence for bad behaviour.
Don't give your dog any attention while they are hyperactive. Walk away from them if at all possible or go in another room and don't talk to them, touch them or give them any eye contact. If they're acting this way because it will get your attention, they'll soon learn that it does not work and should stop their manic behavior.
About the Author:
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website which provides help and information for owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about the how to calm a dog down when you visit the site.
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