Calming Techniques for Over-Excited Dogs of All Ages

We’ve all been there – the whirlwind of paws, barks, and boundless energy. Having a dog in your life is an excellent source of joy and companionship, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. While some may tell you that you need to let your dog be a dog and get over it, the truth is that too much of anything can be bad – including excitement.

Whether you’re concerned about your dog’s excitement escalating into barrier frustration and reactivity or worried that their desire to jump up and greet you each time you come home could lead to them slipping past and running out onto the road, over-excitement can definitely create less than ideal and even dangerous situations.

Your dedication to your dog’s well-being has you searching for solutions. I see you. After all, calm dogs experience less stress, which can help improve their physical and mental health.

So, what are you waiting for? I have put together this comprehensive guide to calming techniques with options for dogs of all ages, breeds, personalities, and situations. Find the solutions that suit your dog and start working towards helping your dog find their inner peace today.

Understanding Dog Excitement

The first step in helping your dog discover a calmer outlook on life is understanding the root causes of their behavior. This includes recognizing the common triggers that ignite a dog’s excitement, differentiating between healthy playfulness and problematic hyperactivity, and learning how breed and age can influence their energy levels. By understanding these factors, you can select calming techniques better suited to your dog’s specific needs.

Common Triggers of Excitement in Dogs

What sets your dog’s tail wagging and paws tapping? Like humans, dogs have their own personal preferences, and that includes the things that make them excited. However, some common factors are regularly shared by the greater canine population, such as:

• The thrill of visitors arriving (or you returning home)
• Anticipation of walks and outings
• Excitement surrounding mealtimes

These triggers can also be specific to a particular sense. For example, a dog who is excited by noises may start to freak out at the sound of a doorbell ringing or sirens wailing. Others may feel that excitement beginning to build at the very sight of a dog in the distance or the scent of their favorite human food cooking.

Some dogs are even triggered by changes in their daily routine. Seeing you picking up your keys to leave the house on a Sunday when you usually stay home signals that something is different, and that can bring with it a lot of big emotions.

Recognizing these triggers is the first step toward creating a calmer environment. Consider keeping a journal, recording any details you notice when your dog gets overly excited, including where you were, what sounds you heard, what your dog was doing, what you were doing, etc. After recording for a while, step back and read through your entries. Do you see any patterns?

Healthy Playfulness Vs. Problematic Over-Excitement

Not all excitement is created equal. Playfulness is a sign of a healthy dog, from young pups right up to the slower but still joyful play of a sweet senior. A happy, energetic dog might bounce and wag its tail, even grabbing at their favorite toys to get you to play.

However, a dog experiencing anxiety-driven hyperactivity will exhibit signs like excessive panting, an inability to focus, and even destructive behavior (like chewing or digging). This type of over-excitement is often rooted in stress. Left unchecked, this stress can continue to build up, leading to long-term behavioral issues. Learning to read your dog’s body language will help you identify if your dog’s excitement is a sign of trouble and respond accordingly.

The Role of Breed and Age

Your dog’s breed and age (life stage) can play a significant role in your dog’s energy levels and their ability to self-regulate. Certain breeds are naturally more energetic than others, bred to perform tasks that require high levels of stamina and drive. While your dog may be living as a pet dog, that natural drive and instinct don’t disappear. This is the reason why professionals stress the importance of researching breeds before bringing a dog into your life.

Some high-energy dogs that are likely going to show higher levels of excitement include:

• Australian Cattle Dogs
• Border Collie
• Australian Shepherd
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Siberian Husky
• Belgian Malinois

Age also has an impact on a dog’s behavior and activity. Puppies are known for having boundless energy, and their developing brains often struggle with self-control and self-regulation.  Adult dogs, while generally more mature, may still display high levels of excitement depending on their breed and training. Senior dogs are generally entering a calmer stage of their life, but they may experience age-related anxieties or cognitive decline manifesting in restlessness that could be mistaken for excitement.

Understanding what’s “normal” for your dog in terms of their age and breed will not only help you tailor your calming techniques to their needs but also identify if something is “off.”

Foundational Calming Techniques

First, let’s create a solid foundation for a calmer dog. This involves implementing consistent routines, providing adequate exercise and mental stimulation, using the power of positive reinforcement, and creating a calming environment. These techniques won’t address any triggers creating anxiety or over-excitement, but they will help to promote a sense of security and reduce overall stress and anxiety levels.

Consistent Routine

A secret to helping your dog live a calm, relaxed life is providing them the security of a consistent routine. Predictable meal, walk, and playtime schedules let your dog know what to expect, giving structure and reducing anxiety about the unknown.

Picture for a moment how you feel when your schedule is thrown off. Your dog experiences similar stress when their routine is disrupted. Establishing and sticking to a consistent schedule can naturally encourage calmness by creating a calm overall environment.

Exercise and Mental Enrichment

Physical activity is an essential piece of the puzzle for burning excess energy, but it is only one piece. Mental stimulation is equally important. A tired dog is a good dog, but a mentally exhausted dog is a truly calm dog. While physical exercise tires their bodies, mental exercise tires their brains. A dog that has run for miles may still be mentally alert and restless, whereas a dog that has engaged in a challenging training session will often be calmer and more relaxed.

Try incorporating mental enrichment activities like:

• Training sessions, such as basic obedience or some fun trick training
• Introduce your dog to scent work (you can pick up a starter kit to help you get started)
• Try feeding your dog using a snuffle mat, puzzle feeder, or treat dispensing toy
• Challenge your dog to learn how to use talking buttons
• Create a DIY busy box using items you have around your home

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

We often mention positive reinforcement in relation to basic obedience training, but it’s also a powerful tool for encouraging calm behavior. Focus on rewarding your dog when they remain calm and relaxed in any situation, such as quietly sitting or showing a relaxed posture in public settings. Use treats, praise, their favorite toys, or gentle petting – every dog has their preferences for what they see as high-value. Timing is crucial. Reward your dog immediately when you see them displaying the desired behavior so they make the connection.

Conversely, avoid rewarding excited behavior, as this could actually be reinforcing the very behavior you’re trying to discourage. For example, if you come home from work and your dog starts jumping all over you when you walk in the door, don’t acknowledge them. Wait until they calm down before giving them attention.

Create a Calm Environment

Your dog’s environment plays a significant role in their overall calmness. Even the most relaxed, laid-back dog will display more anxiety if they are constantly being triggered and put on edge. Designate a safe, quiet space where they can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. This “safe space” could be a quiet corner, a crate, or a spare room, depending on what you have available.

Their safe space should be comfortable and free from distractions. Consider using calming aids like soft music or pheromone diffusers to help create a more relaxing atmosphere. Declutter the space frequently, especially if you have a dog who tends to bring their toys to bed like our girl Willow does. Too many toys can create sensory overload.

Specific Calming Techniques for Different Situations

Now that you have created a solid foundation for your dog, let’s explore specific calming techniques to help you address situations when they arise. These strategies will help you effectively manage your dog’s behavior and create a more peaceful environment for everyone.

Calming Techniques for Walks

Walks are a common source of excitement for dogs, but when properly managed, they can be a time for calm and bonding.

If you have an overly excitable dog, consider using a front-clip harness to significantly reduce pulling and give you more control. But be careful. Many harnesses marketed as “no-pull” work by restricting your dog’s shoulder movement, which can cause long-term damage.

Practice loose-leash walking techniques, rewarding your dog for staying close and relaxed. Teach your dog to “check in” periodically during their walk. During these check-ins, ask your dog to look at you and reward them with a treat or praise. This will help redirect their attention back to you versus becoming overly focused on potential triggers and stimuli around them.

Finally, consider incorporating decompression walks, or “sniffaris” into your weekly routine. These walks are less structured, allowing your dog to sniff and explore their surroundings at their own pace. Not only is this highly calming for your pup, but it also serves as a great form of mental enrichment, allowing them to naturally work their mind.

Managing Excitement During Greetings

Many dogs experience a surge of excitement when a visitor arrives at the front door. If that sounds familiar, here’s what you should do…

Teach your dog to sit or stay before greeting anyone. This will take a lot of practice for the stay to “stick,” but it’s well worth the effort. Using a leash during greetings can also help control jumping and excessive exercise, especially earlier in the training process when your dog is still struggling to stay seated.

Before they come into your home, explain to visitors that you need them to remain calm, ignore your dog initially, and avoid encouraging any excited behavior. Have them wait until your dog is calm before offering pets and attention.

Calming Techniques for Mealtimes

Is your dog a foodie? If so, you may struggle with over-excitement when serving their dinner. Not only is this a potential behavioral issue, but high levels of excitement surrounding meals can lead to your dog eating too quickly, increasing the risk of choking and bloat.

Try establishing a consistent pre-meal routine, such as having your dog sit and wait before their food is given to them. Avoid feeding them in high-traffic locations or areas with distractions that could increase their excitement or anxiety. A peaceful environment will help your dog focus on their meal. Consider feeding them in a slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder to keep them from inhaling their meal.

Calming Techniques for Playtime

Playtime is a fun opportunity where excitement is welcomed, but there is a fine line between healthy playfulness and over-excitement. Incorporate “calm down” breaks during play sessions where you pause the activity and momentarily ask your dog to relax. Whether you ask them to sit or lie down, the goal is for them to take time to breathe and slow down.

Use toys to promote mental stimulation and interaction over high-energy physical activity. Teach your dog to bring toys back to you and drop them on command, allowing them to learn self-regulation and preventing them from becoming overly stimulated. With my boy Lucifer, I will have him sit and stay when I throw a ball into the tall grass and then release him to sniff it out versus a high-energy game of fetch, which could push his excitement too far.

Addressing Noise Sensitivity

Noise sensitivity can be a significant source of anxiety for dogs. This is most often seen in reactions to thunderstorms and fireworks. You can desensitize your dogs to these sounds using recordings, starting at a low volume and slowly turning it up as your dog becomes accustomed to the noises. However, this desensitization process takes time and won’t work overnight.

To manage your dog’s noise sensitivity throughout the process, create a safe, sound-proof space where your dog can retreat during stressful events. The best space for this is a central room in your home to create a bigger barrier between the sound and your dog. Consider using calming aids like pheromone diffusers or an anti-anxiety vest during particularly stressful times to help them relax.

Help Your Dog Live a Calmer Life

Remember, the journey to a calmer dog is a marathon, not a sprint. Create a calm, relaxing home environment to create a solid foundation. Empower yourself with tools like the calming techniques listed above to help you address any situations that may arise.

There will be days when progress seems slow and moments when your dog’s enthusiasm overwhelms your best efforts. Don’t be discouraged. With time, patience, and consistent effort, you can build a deeper connection and a more peaceful life together.

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