DOG GUIDETraining & Behavior

How to Calm a Puppy Down

Puppies often exhibit endless energy at bedtime. Helping your pup relax can benefit their health and sleep patterns – essential to their training and overall growth.

It may seem impossible to get a puppy to calm down sometimes, but here are a few strategies that may help!

Play with them

Puppy dogs bring so much happiness into our lives, yet their endless energy can pose some unique challenges. From an intense case of the zoomies to trying to play at bedtime, having some tools in your back pocket to help calm them is essential for optimal care and development of their lives.

Puppy training is an effective way to teach your dog self-control and how to remain calm. Begin by teaching basic commands such as “down” or “settle.” Reward them when they demonstrate these behaviors over time until they become part of their routine behavior.

Your best bet for soothing your puppy is to offer them treats, take them for walks, or play with them – but be wary of how you use them to not reinforce bad behaviors while praising their calm behavior. If they bite too often during games or sessions, stop immediately and tell them “ow” so that they understand biting is unacceptable and may reduce biting behavior. This should make them realize this behavior is inappropriate and encourage less biting!

Anxious puppies could also be suffering from a lack of sleep. Crate training is key to helping them learn to unwind during the nighttime hours.

An overly excited puppy may be an indication of anxiety or fearfulness. Many things, including lack of exercise, fear or separation anxiety, could cause this. You can assist your puppy by encouraging fun yet mentally stimulating activities such as structured play and commercial brain games, providing short walks regularly, and offering safe retreat places as retreat points. Interact with other dogs if appropriate, as playing together can provide an outlet for excess energy, but supervise closely so they have time for rest and recovery between activities.

Please give them a treat

Puppies have unbridled energy that can be exhausting for pet parents to manage. Puppies must learn to control their excitement around people or animals they don’t recognize; otherwise, it could lead to unwanted behavior such as barking or chewing destructively; it may even increase separation anxiety or aggression – this is why their energy must be managed through regular play sessions and schedules.

One effective way to soothe your puppy’s anxiety is to give them something they can focus on while feeling calmer when completed. If you’re uncertain which treat would work best, consult your veterinarian or certified dog behaviorist, who may recommend specific calming treats for your pup.

Play calming music to relax your pup before bedtime and help them unwind. A CD or phone calming music could work wonders here; waterfall or ocean sounds might do the trick!

Train your puppy to relax using a command. Start by holding a treat in your hand, saying “sit” to encourage him to sit, and waiting a short period. Once he sits, use “down” as a command. Please give him a treat as soon as he lays down. Repeat these steps several times until your pup begins lying down by themselves.

If your puppy becomes upset or anxious, try placing them in their crate to give them time to relax and allow you to get on with your day without worrying about them jumping up on furniture or chewing your favorite sweater.

Lack of sleep is often one of the primary factors in puppy hyperactivity. Therefore, set an appropriate bedtime for your pup so they have time to unwind before sleeping.

Take them for a walk

Many puppies can find their first introduction to the world beyond their home frightening, as traffic, other dogs, and unfamiliar people can be frightening. Therefore, puppy walks must be carefully planned – starting in an enclosed environment such as a dog park or backyard may help your puppy adjust quickly while remaining calm and under control.

As long as you can manage your puppy’s energy levels before going on a walk, you can teach them proper leash behavior. Puppies can often become overexcited during initial walks; pulling and darting are common behaviors during initial training stages. Use distractions such as toys to tire your puppy out, focus them on chews or treats until you can calm them down, or try playing catch-up sessions if this doesn’t work!

Noticing when your puppy becomes over-excited can indicate an underlying problem, including jumping, spinning around in circles, barking, and mouthing or nipping. Never yell or push at them, as this will only increase fear and aggression; keep calm, as this will keep them at ease and less anxious!

Once your puppy has become calm, gradually increase the length of walks. However, suppose they exhibit over-excitement or seem sluggish and tired during an outing. In that case, it is wiser to end that session early and allow time to explore new places before going for long-distance walks together – this allows your pup time to develop confidence in remaining mellow and makes the experience more pleasurable for both of you!

Please put them in their crate

Pet parents frequently struggle to train their puppies to sleep alone at night. Many become exasperated when the puppy cries or whines when trying to sleep – often caused by overexcitement or frustration. To calm them down and put them to sleep quickly, place the crate near you; this way, your pup will feel more secure while giving you easier access to respond if they need attention during the night or need their crate cleaned out more frequently.

If your dog resists entering their crate initially, try encouraging them with treats and positive reinforcement. Gradually increase the time they’re left alone within it – perhaps starting by placing them there while watching television before gradually increasing this period without them.

Once your puppy is familiar with their crate, you can use it for more than bedtime. Cage them while doing housework or chores around the home and even transport them when running errands; this will teach them that being in their crate is not punishment and help soothe anxious dogs when needed.

Consistency is key when it comes to successfully crating your puppy. Puppies often take some time to learn that their crate means sleeping time, so it’s essential that training remains consistent over time. You could also reward your puppy with treats or toys when they enter their crate so they know it is an appropriate place for relaxation and sleep.

One of the main sources of puppy over-excitement is boredom. Without enough mental stimulation, your puppy could become bored and find other ways to entertain themselves, including chewing furniture, running around the house, and engaging in destructive behaviors such as chewing. If your puppy shows signs of boredom, try playing with them or giving them a long walk before trying to create them.