When Do Puppies Calm Down? What Can You Expect and When?

As a puppy owner, there is nothing more exciting than bringing home a new furry friend. But, you may also be wondering when do puppies calm down. With all the cuteness and joy comes a significant responsibility to provide proper care and training for your new companion.

Puppies are known for their high energy levels, boundless curiosity, and short attention spans. But, at what age can you expect your puppy to start displaying calm behavior?

In this article, we’ll discuss the stages of puppy development and some tips on how to help your furry friend calm down.

Factors that Affect When Puppies Start to Calm Down

Puppies, just like human babies, have lots of energy and require constant attention and stimulation.

As a puppy owner, it can be challenging to keep up with the boundless energy levels of your furry friend, especially if you don’t understand the factors that affect when puppies start to calm down.

If you find yourself suddenly dealing with a hyperactive puppy in the afternoon or evening, you may be dealing with the puppy witching hour. However, you can rest assured that the puppy witching hour is entirely natural and linked to the developmental stages of your puppy.

Several factors can influence a puppy’s behavior, and understanding them can help you plan a proper training routine for your furry friend.

Let’s explore some of these factors in detail.

Months of Age

The age of a puppy is a significant factor in determining when it will start to calm down.

As they get older, their energy levels tend to decrease, and they become calmer.

Generally, puppies start to calm down at around six to nine months of age.

Breed

The breed of your puppy also plays a role in determining when they will start to calm down.

Larger breeds such as German Shepherds and Border Collies tend to have more energy and take longer to calm down than smaller breeds.

Physical Exercise

Puppies require regular daily exercise to burn off excess puppy energy.

Puppies often get what we call “puppy zoomies” and will run and run and even run in circles expending excess energy.

By providing your puppy with long walks, outdoor playtime, and a variety of stimulating activities you will help them burn off energy and become calmer.

A regular exercise routine and physical stimulation can help to tire out your puppy, making them calmer and easier to manage.

Mental Stimulation

A bored puppy will be an over-excited puppy. This can lead to destructive behavior.

Mental stimulation is essential for an energetic puppy as it keeps them engaged and occupied.

Puzzle games, treat-dispensing toys, and other interactive toys can help to calm down an overexcited puppy.

Mental enrichment toys can be used in combination with crate training if you are using the crate as a potty training method. (NEVER leave your pet in a crate for long periods of time!)

Daily Routine

Establishing a daily routine can help to calm down your puppy.

Having a consistent routine such as set times for feeding, exercise, training, and playtime creates predictability and structure, reducing their anxiety and over-excited behavior.

Obedience Training

Proper training is essential for rambunctious puppies to learn basic commands, and basic obedience, and enhance acceptable behaviors.

Consistent training sessions can help to calm down a puppy by establishing boundaries and expectations.

Physical Maturity

As a puppy grows out of the puppy phase and reaches physical maturity, their energy and activity levels start to decrease.

At around the two-year mark, the majority of puppies have reached their full physical maturity, and their behavior will start to settle down.

Presence of Other Animals

The presence of other animals can have a significant impact on a puppy’s development and behavior.

Whether it’s interacting with other dogs, cats, or even other species, interactions with other animals can help a puppy learn important social cues, communication skills, and confidence.

The presence of other animals can also have a calming effect on puppies.

For example, some puppies may become anxious during car rides, but having another animal in the car with them can help alleviate stress and promote calm behavior.

Socialization of Your Puppy

Socialization with other dogs and human socialization for your puppy is an important part of helping them become a well-adjusted adult dog.

In addition, socialization helps puppies to build confidence and develop good behavior, which can help reduce anxious behavior and energy levels.

To socialize your puppy, start by introducing them to new people, places, animals, and sounds in a positive and controlled environment.

Take your pup for walks in different locations, introduce them to new people and animals, and expose them to various sounds.

Home Environment of the Puppy

The home environment can have a major impact on a puppy’s behavior.

It’s important to create an atmosphere that is both safe and comfortable for them.

This includes providing access to adequate food, water, shelter, and exercise.

Creating a routine is also essential for puppies since it helps them understand what to expect and when.

Regular meal times, playtime, and walks will help them settle into their new environment.

The home environment should also be stimulating and stimulating activities should be provided in order to prevent boredom.

This can include providing the puppy with appropriate toys, playtime with other animals or humans, and interactive games that promote physical activity and mental stimulation.

Finally, it’s important to establish clear rules for puppies in the home environment.

This includes not only house training but teaching them proper manners, not jumping on people or furniture, and discouraging bad behaviors such as barking or chewing.

Establishing clear rules will help puppies understand what is allowed and expected of them in the home environment.

Do Puppies Calm Down after Being Spayed or Neutered

When it comes to spaying or neutering your puppy, there are many benefits beyond just preventing unwanted litters.

One question that often arises is whether or not spaying or neutering can calm down your hyperactive puppy.

The short answer is that it can, but only to a certain extent.

Spaying or neutering your dog removes its reproductive organs, which in turn can reduce its level of sex hormones.

These hormones are linked to behaviors such as territorial marking, roaming, and aggression, which can contribute to hyperactivity in puppies.

However, spaying or neutering alone is not enough to calm down your puppy completely.

In Conclusion

Hyper puppies typically calm down by the time they reach one to two years of age. However, this can vary depending on the breed and individual dog.

It is important to provide proper training, exercise, and socialization to help your puppy develop into a well-behaved adult.

Patience and consistency are key when it comes to raising a puppy, and it is important to remember that every dog is unique and may have different energy levels and temperaments.

With love and dedication, your puppy will eventually calm down and become a cherished member of your family. You can also try Doggie Herbs calming supplements to calm your dog.