How to Train a Hyper Dog: 11 Training Tips

There are many reasons your dog may be hyperactive. Some dog breeds are high-energy breeds that require more mental stimulation and physical activity than others. When these energetic dog breeds don’t get the proper amount of daily exercise, they will likely exhibit unwanted behaviors in the home.

Most active dog breeds were bred to work. This means they need a job. For example, Border Collies are herding dogs, bred to help shepherds keep their flocks together. Physical exercise can help burn off excess energy, but training sessions help provide the mental stimulation your dog needs in order to achieve calm behavior. You could consider hiring a professional dog trainer or attending training classes to improve your dog’s behavior. Dog owners can also perform basic training sessions to help dogs with lots of energy learn to calm down at home.

Consider some tips for training a hyper dog.

1. 1. Take your dog for long walks. Daily exercise is essential for keeping active dogs healthy. A long walk around the neighborhood or park is a great way to provide physical exercise and mental stimulation.
2. 2. Perform obedience training throughout the day. Instead of performing one long training session a couple of times a week, try training your dog for five-minute intervals throughout the day. Kibble is a great motivator for most dogs, so consider structuring training sessions before mealtimes. Consider using clicker training to teach your dog to lie down, sit, and stay. These commands can help your dog remain calm by giving them a job to do.
3. 3. Provide some off-leash playtime. Whether at a dog park or in a fenced yard, allow your dog to burn off excess energy with some unencumbered running.
4. 4. Reward good behavior. Positive reinforcement can help your dog calm down, teaching them impulse control. When your dog learns that calm behavior is what you’re looking for, they will learn to exhibit good behaviors more often to please you.

There are several techniques pet owners can employ to help keep their dogs calm. Consider these tips for calming down your dog.

1. 1. Learn to read their body language. Anxious dogs tend to drool, pant heavily, pace back and forth, or whine when they're feeling anxious. Some dogs may tuck their tail between their legs or pin down their ears. Pay close attention to your dog's body language so you can react quickly to help settle them down.
2. 2. Show them some physical affection. Few things get a dog to calm down faster than the owner's touch. Pet parents can help alleviate their dogs' stress by holding them or petting them during stressful events.
3. 3. Put on some classical music. Music therapy has been shown to work for some anxious dogs. Dogs with mild separation anxiety may benefit from music therapy when they're left at home alone.
4. 4. Try aromatherapy. Use an essential oil diffuser to fill the air with calming aromas such as chamomile or lavender. You can also try diffusing synthetic pheromones that can help calm dogs.
5. 5. Provide a calm, safe place. If your dog's anxiety is triggered by thunderstorms or loud noises like fireworks, it's important that your dog feels safe when these triggers occur. Dogs’ ears are much more sensitive than human ears, so consider placing a white noise machine in a cozy spot in the house to drown out the noises that are scaring them. Keep stimuli to a minimum.
6. 6. Dress your dog in a calming vest. Calming vests wrap around your dog, offering a consistent level of pressure that can make them feel calm during stressful situations.
7. 7. Provide proper socialization. Exposing puppies to a wide array of social situations can help stave off anxiety at a young age, but you may want to skip the dog park. Provide socialization in a more controlled environment first. Older dogs who may have pre-existing traumas or phobias may need the help of a trained behaviorist.
8. 8. Make sure hyper dogs get enough exercise. Sometimes the best thing for a hyperactive dog is to let them get their energy out through exercise. If your dog is exhibiting destructive behaviors at home—chewing, jumping, biting—they likely have pent-up energy that needs to be exhausted. Take them for a walk or give them some extra playtime to help bring down their stress level.
9. 9. Avoid eye contact with hyper dogs. Dogs love attention, but sometimes this can be counterproductive. Hyper dogs who are exhibiting anxious behaviors may feel validated when they receive attention while acting out. Instead, try to ignore a hyper dog until they calm down. Then reward them for calming down with lots of eye contact and dog treats.
10. 10. Give them calming supplements. Chamomile, pet-friendly CBD oils, and melatonin are all good options for helping lower your dog's heart rate. Check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any over-the-counter supplements to ensure you’re giving your dog the correct dose.
11. 11. Consider anxiety medication. If most calming techniques are not working to calm your dog down, talk to a veterinarian about getting your dog a prescription anxiety medication.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.