Why is my dog so hyper

Is Your Dog Too Hyper? 5 Tips for Hyperactive Dogs

Its one of the most commonly reported behavioral concerns of Canine Good Citizen(CGC) and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy dog owners. The complaint is that the dog is hyper or too active.

In most cases, the problem is really that the dog owner needs some education, and the dog may need a more suitable daily schedule and exercise plan.

Here are some tips for the owner of an energetic dog that is hard to calm down.

1. Know your breed

My dog is too active and wont settle down at night when we watch television, said one dog owner who called the CGC department. After asking some questions, we learned that the dog was a Border Collie whose owners worked all day. When they came home, the dog was taken for a walk on a leash. We explained that Border Collies can run all day herding sheep and we helped the owner develop a more appropriate exercise plan for this active herding breed. For active breeds, a walk on a leash may not do the trick. Consider fetching and running games in a fenced yard or a dog park where the dog can run. If you are away from home in the daytime for long periods of time, doggie daycare may be a suitable option for your dog.

2. Provide adequate daily exercise

In AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, STAR is an acronym that stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and a Responsible owner. Activity means exercise and in STAR classes, instructors talk to dog owners about their daily exercise plans for their puppies. CGC Evaluator Karen Vance described in the book, AKC STAR Puppy: A Positive Behavioral Approach to Puppy Training, how she had her students bring an exercise plan for their dogs to class. When Karen looked at the plan for a German Shepherd Dog who was jittery and could not focus, she said a light bulb went off. She worked with the dog owners to modify the exercise plan and within two weeks, the puppy was a different dog.

3. Teach practical skills

Once youve met the exercise needs of an active dog, functional Canine Good Citizen skills such as sit, down and stay can be used to manage your dog. When company comes and the dog cant settle, a down-stay is often just what is needed to help the dog become calm.

4. Give the dog a job

In the case of the Border Collie above, increased exercise helped a lot. But active, smart breeds can also benefit from something to do on a regular basis that involves both physical and mental activity. Performance events such as fieldwork, herding, lure coursing, and dock diving are perfect for canine athletes. AKC activities such as obedience, agility, and rally also provide the perfect combo of the physical and mental stimulation needed for the active dog.

5. Dont forget the veterinary check

If youve put an appropriate exercise plan in place for your dogs age and breed, and the dog continues to appear overactive, a veterinary check-up is in order. While most of the time, exercise, training, and activities are the issue, there are medical conditions that can cause hyperactivity. Your dogs veterinarian can do a comprehensive medical exam to rule out any problems.

15 Weird Reasons Why Your Dog Is So Hyper All Of A Sudden

Does your dog surprise you with zoomies?

You may wonder how they turn hyper in a split second.

What causes them to act that way?

Read this article to discover:

• 3 helpful tips to stop your dog from being hyperactive.
• ADHD in dogs and how itll affect your dogs hyperactivity.
• 15 weird reasons why your dog is so hyper all of a sudden.
• And many more

Why is my dog so hyper all of a sudden?

Your dog is so hyper all of a sudden because they could be happy, seeking attention, bored, itchy, overstimulated, excited to have food, want to go out, play, or see their friends. It could also be due to their food, breed, puppy phase, encouraged behavior, imitating you, or ADHD.

15 reasons why your dog is so hyper all of sudden

#1: Your dogs happy to see you

Are you the type of dog parent who often plays with Fido?

If yes, it could be the reason for their hyperactivity.

Spending a lot of fun time with your dog will make them enthusiastic.

But, it could make them miss it as well when youre not around.

So, seeing their favorite human coming home can make them jump out of joy.

They associate you coming home with playtime. So theyll jump and run around because they cant contain their excitement.

Check out also: 7 reasons why your dog jumps up and down

#2: Fido could be excited about food

Is your dog the canine version of a foodie?

If so, their love for food and their prominent senses trigger bursts of energy.

Some dogs will get hyper by the smell of food being prepared.

Others will start to show excitement when they see their food coming.

Also, the tink sound of their food bowl when you prepare their meal can make them have zoomies.

So, being hyper means your dog cant wait to have a bite of that delicious meal.

Reading tip: The answers to why your dog barks while youre eating (7 real reasons revealed)

#3: Your dogs food might cause their hyperactivity

Yes, were still talking about food.

But its the aftermath this time.

What food did your dog eat before they started to show zoomies?

Your dogs hyperactivity could be due to something theyve eaten.

According to Vet practice foods that can cause sudden hyperactivity in dogs include:

• Fibre Affects food-seeking behavior.
• Protein Increases aggression and hyperactivity.
• Fats Influence systems of the brain that are important to learning, emotions, and impulse control.
• Carbohydrates A study conducted in 2008 shows that a dogs diet doesnt need carbs at all.

In addition to that, carbs may put a lot of pressure on your dogs digestive system.

This can result in health risks such as:

• Cancer.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• Stomach inflammation.

Dont miss out on this read: 17 weird reasons why your dog (suddenly) acts crazy + dangers & tips

#4: Your dog might be excited to go out

Do your dogs zoomies start when its time to walk outside?

Then that explains your poochs hyperactivity.

It could be a part of their daily routine.

Dogs are very mindful of their schedules. So, they know what theyre going to do from morning to night.

Do you take them to a certain place that they really like?

They might be thrilled to see that place.

This reminds me of a friend who takes her Beagle, Tino, to a dog park every afternoon.

Tino really likes the small fountain there. My friend told me how much Tino enjoys watching the splashing water drops coming out of the fountain.

Not only that.

Every day, before going outside, Tino would jump up and down. Even on their way to the dog park.

He always wants to run the moment he steps outside their door.

Then hell stop being hyperactive when hes in front of his most adored fountain. This appears to be Tinos happy place.

Other than that, he doesnt do anything crazy. And my friends fine with it.

She said its nice that Tino has something simple that makes him happy. Which makes her happy too.

Further reading: 9 Real Reasons Your Dog Barks When You Arrive Home + 5 Tips

#5: Your furbaby sees their friends

My friends are here, Mom/Dad.

Some dogs are very sociable and have a lot of friends. Dogs, children, and even cats.

Lets take Bailey, from the movie A Dogs Purpose, for example. He befriended a donkey which he considered a big type of dog.

Then, theres also my dog, Lissa, who befriended a neighborhood cat. As soon as she sees Cat Friend, as we call the kitty, Lissas tail starts swinging like a pendulum.

Its as if they havent seen each other in years. Well, Cat Friend is a bit more reserved with showing affection. But shes tolerant of Lissas nudging nevertheless.

Adorable, isnt it?

Now, your friendly pooch may have seen their friends pass by.

And if your canine is confined at home, they may go crazy. While they attempt to get their friends attention. Either by barking, scratching at the window, or spinning.

After all, its not cool when youre separated from your best friends.

But how can you tell if this is the reason why your pooch goes crazy?.

Observe how they act once there are no human or animal friends of your pooch around.

#6: Your dogs excited to play

Lets say, your dog hasnt played for some time.

Seeing you bringing their toy out can make them hyperactive all of a sudden.

This is exactly what happens with Lissa and me. Every time I take her to the big park where I unleash her, I bring her ball.

By now, Lissa knows that at some point, well play fetch. So she goes wild as soon as she sees me put my hand in my bag. Thats the queue she recognizes.

So when I reach for the ball, she lifts her eyebrows, her tongue hanging out. She fixes me with her eyes. Then extends her neck like a snake and woofs at me!

I can almost hear her scream Throw! Throw!. And once I do, she flies after that ball like a torpedo. Its fascinating to watch. I never get tired of it.

How does your dog show you their excitement to play?

My previous one used to spin around. He was a Pomeranian. Theyre famous for spinning hyperactively when happy.

Read next: Why does my dog bring me all his/her toys? 7 must-read reasons

#7: Your pawed child is trying to entertain themselves

What a boring day. A perfect time to entertain myself., your dog could be thinking.

After all, dogs dont have gadgets or video games like us to entertain themselves.

Their toys could also be boring to play with at the moment. This usually happens when you give all of your dogs toys at once. Then, your doggo gets used to them and doesnt play with them.

So, if your dog has nothing to do. They may act hyperactive to not bore themselves.

Theyll run around.

Jump off your couch. Will even bite and lick your throw pillows.

All of these activities will provide your pooch with some form of excitement.

But dont worry! You can easily deal with this.

Just hide some of your poochs toys in the closet. Then, after a few days have passed, substitute the ones youve given to your dog with the ones that were in the closet.

This way your dog will always have something to look forward to.

#8: Your dog wants your attention

This is right! Theyll notice me now.

Some dogs could be hyperactive to get your attention.

Lets say everyone in your familys been busy all day. All of you could be preparing for a celebration.

And your dog, on the other hand, has nothing interesting to do. Just looking at their (human) pack being busy with something.

Then all of a sudden, they start to show hyperactivity to catch everyones attention. Their hunger for attention might show through:

• Barking.
• Whining.
• Jumping.
• Air snapping.
• Pretend to be injured.
• Chasing lights or shadows.
• Posing strange body postures.

Dogs whore used to getting a lot of attention will likely do this. Theyll wonder why they dont get the attention of their human pack anymore.

Dont forget to also check out: 11 Real Reasons Why Dogs Act Hyper In The Morning + Easy 3 Tips

#9: Your furry child feels itchy

I cant reach it! Scratch it for me, human.

Your dog could feel the zoomies when somethings itching in their body.

If this is the case, you can see your dog:

• Running around.
• Biting and chasing their tail.
• Scratching a certain part of their body in between their zoomies.

Have you ever had an itchy spot on your back you cant reach?

Notice how much effort you make just to scratch it?

This reminds me of a kid I saw once. He was so desperate to scratch his back. So what he did was lean his back on a concrete wall and move his entire back against it.

Its like looking at a human windshield wiper. Although it looked funny, I cant deny it was smart.

Kids really think out of the box.

And so do dogs.

Thats why they keep on moving a lot. And the goal is to get rid of the itchiness.

Apart from zoomies, your dog could also brush themselves against the couch. Or wipe their snout on the carpet. Another way to relieve itchiness, this time on their bottom, is to scoot.

You see, there are a lot of ways your dog could try to relieve the itching sensation.

You might also like: 9 odd reasons why your dog acts like something is biting her

#10: Your dogs a puppy

Is your hyperactive pooch a puppy?

If so, hyperactivity is a natural thing for them.

Puppies are known to be uncontrollable when it comes to their energy.

These baby pooches still cant weigh how much force to exert. Their puppy play shows through:

• Biting.
• Barking.
• Chasing.
• Jumping.
• Growling.

Be patient, my dear dog parent. Their puppy phase wont last for a long time. As puppyhood mostly lasts up to the age of 6 months to 1 year.

Its best to enjoy their hyperactivity during these times. Make use of it and play with them more.

#11: Your dogs a hyperactive breed

Your furry companions hyperactivity can be due to their genetics.

Well, it runs in my blood.

So, its best to track your dogs bloodline.

Hyperactive dog breeds have a natural overflowing supply of energy. So theyll often seek activities to do. Theyre mostly athletic too. These pooches can move easily and quickly.

Dog breeds that are known to be hyperactive genetically include:

• Boxer.
• Vizsla.
• Poodle.
• Beagle.
• Dalmatian.
• Chihuahua.
• Irish Setter.
• English Pointer.
• Airedale Terrier.
• Golden Retriever.
• Labrador Retriever.
• Miniature Pinscher.
• German Shepherd.
• Jack Russell Terrier.
• Australian Shepherd.
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
• English Springer Spaniel.

#12: Youre hyperactive yourself

It looks fun, so Im doing it too.

Your dogs hyperactivity can be a mirror of your behavior.

Dogs are able to imitate their dog parents actions.

And even detect what their dog parents feeling.

Lets assume that you just heard some good news. Which made you jumpy and excited.

Your dog whos been watching your every move will likely get hyped too.

Or they could also celebrate with you.

A study proves that dogs imitating their dog parents is a sign of the mirror neuron system in dogs. Mirror neurons are basically nerve cells that make individuals understand others actions.

#13: Encouraged behavior

Lets be honest.

Some dog parents adore it when their dogs are bursting with energy.

They would even take out their phones and record their dog being so energetic. While bouncing from one couch to another.

Its unusual. And it can look funny.

But

Do you respond to your canines hyperactivity with attention or treats?

If so, you influenced your dogs hyperactive behavior. So they now think that hyperactivity is a good thing. Because it gives them what they want.

Heres some dogs hyperactivity caught on camera.

Warning: Joke aside, keep coffee and caffeine away from dogs. Its poisonous to them.

#14: Your dog is overstimulated

Is your pooch a go-getter dog?

A go-getter dog can be compared to a yes man (like that funny famous movie).

Theyll be up for anything. Anytime and anywhere.

Wanna go for a run?

Go!

Do you want to play fetch?

Of course, lets go!

Lets play?

You know for sure. Ill go.

Stimulation is really good for our dogs.

But over stimulation can cause behavioral problems. One of which is hyperactivity.

This happens when dogs are over-exercised. In particular, the wrong type of exercise.

Making your dog do extensive exercises such as jumping, fetching, and running around all day. Notably if done every day.

Itll make your dog used to doing crazy and over-the-top activities.

Theyll think being overly active is normal.

Note: Study suggests that overstimulation in dogs may cause tendinopathy. A.k.a overuse muscle injury in dogs. It may also change your dogs nerve-muscle response.

#15: Your pooch has ADHD

Dr. Coren said that dogs and children share a lot of similarities when it comes to their behaviors. One example of it is

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a.k.a ADHD. Its a behavioral problem.

Signs of ADHD in dogs are:

• High energy.
• Moving a lot.
• Lots of fidgeting.
• Being impulsive.
• Short attention span.
• Getting easily distracted.

3 tips to stop your dog from being hyperactive

#1: Provide mental stimulation

As Ive mentioned above, overstimulation can cause hyperactivity.

But this doesnt mean that you shouldnt stimulate your dog mentally.

Keep in mind that mental stimulation should be proper and be careful not to overdo it.

Because healthy and right mental stimulation can make your dog act calm. Heres what you can do:

• Introduce puzzles.
• Give treat dispensing dog toys.
• Outdoor activities thatll exercise your dogs senses.

#2: Get rid of the foods that cause hyperactivity

One of the causes of a dogs hyperactivity is what they consume.

In some cases, you may have fed your dog human food.

Fido begging for food may be a familiar situation to you. They usually nudge you with their nose to beg for your food if they see you eating some.

Its a natural thing for them. Dogs are often curious and theyll want to be involved with their humans business.

Some dog parents love to share their meals with their dogs, so theyll give them a piece.

However, keep in mind that some human foods cause hyperactive behavior in dogs. Some of which are:

• Sugar.
• Carbohydrates.
• Packaged foods.
• Too much protein.
• Artificial flavorings.

Its best to get rid of those and stick to a more healthy dog diet. You can give your dog home-cooked meals without any type of seasoning or salt.

#3: Have them checked by the vet

Your dogs hyperactivity may have some underlying medical causes.

You cant simply diagnose ADHD.So dont jump to conclusions.

The signs that Ive mentioned earlier are your go signal to bring your dog to the vet if you suspect them to have ADHD.

Petya, How can ADHD affect my dogs life?

If your dog has ADHD, it could affect their socialization with other dogs. For example, they could be more anxious about meeting new ones.

Your pooch could also have a hard time focusing and itll be hard for them to be trained.

They would also seek their dog parents attention more often.

Lastly is becoming aggressive. Especially when your dogs in distress because they wont be able to control their emotions.

But, be hopeful.

This type of behavioral problem can be manageable. Itll be done by having vet prescription drugs and behavior modification.