How to calm a dog. 3 ways to help hyper and over excited dogs relax.

Summary

This script discusses the challenges of living with highly energetic and hyper dogs, emphasizing that increasing physical activity is not the solution and can exacerbate their behavior. It delves into the role of adrenaline and stress hormones like cortisol, which can be triggered by both positive and negative stimuli. The video offers three strategies to help these dogs: increasing nose work and enrichment to naturally lower stress hormones, ensuring adequate rest and sleep, and limiting their exercise and obsession with toys like balls or frisbees. It stresses the importance of helping dogs self-regulate their energy levels and the need for patience as improvements may take time.

Takeaways

• 🐾 High-energy dogs require more than just physical exercise to manage their energy levels.
• 🏃‍♂️ Increasing physical activity can actually fuel hyperactivity rather than alleviate it.
• 🤔 The script suggests that adrenaline and stress hormones play a significant role in a dog's hyperactivity.
• 👃 Engaging dogs in nose work and enrichment can help lower stress hormones and encourage relaxation.
• 🧠 Teaching dogs to use their nose more can be a calming activity that aids in reducing hyperactivity.
• 🏡 Creating a quiet space for dogs to rest and sleep is essential for helping them switch off and regulate energy.
• 🍯 Using a Kong with peanut butter or other engaging treats can help dogs relax and sleep.
• 🚫 Limiting exercise and ball or frisbee play is necessary to manage a hyper dog's energy and stress hormone levels.
• 🧩 Puzzles and interactive toys can provide mental stimulation and help in reducing a dog's need for physical activity.
• 🐕‍🦺 Training and trick learning can engage a dog's brain and help in managing their excitement levels.

Q & A

Why do some dogs continue to show high energy even after being exercised?

Dogs may continue to show high energy because they have not been adequately mentally stimulated or because they are seeking the adrenaline rush from activities like chasing a ball or frisbee.

What are the signs of a dog being overly excited or hyper?

Overly excited or hyper dogs exhibit poor impulse control, difficulty listening, mouthiness, jumping, spinning, barking, and a fixation on moving toys. They may also pant excessively and have a manic look.

How can adrenaline and stress hormones like cortisol affect a dog's behavior?

Adrenaline and cortisol can be released in response to both positive and negative stimuli, which can lead to sustained high energy levels and increased cravings for activities that trigger these hormones, making it hard for dogs to relax or be calm.

Why is increasing physical activity not an effective solution for hyper dogs?

Increasing physical activity can actually fuel the behavior by releasing more adrenaline and stress hormones, which the dogs may crave, thus exacerbating the issue rather than solving it.

What role does nose work play in calming hyper dogs?

Nose work helps dogs relax by engaging their sense of smell, which naturally lowers stress hormones. It redirects their focus from high-energy activities to a more calming, mentally stimulating task.

How can enrichment activities like using a snuffle mat or puzzle toys benefit hyperactive dogs?

Enrichment activities tire hyperactive dogs by mentally stimulating them, which can be more effective than physical exercise in reducing their high energy levels and helping them relax.

Why is rest and sleep important for hyper dogs, and how can owners encourage it?

Rest and sleep are crucial for hyper dogs to switch off and self-regulate their energy levels. Owners can encourage rest by providing quiet areas, using calming aids like a Kong toy with peanut butter, and creating a conducive environment with reduced sensory input.

How should owners approach limiting exercise for hyper dogs?

Owners should gradually reduce the duration and intensity of exercise while incorporating more nose work and enrichment activities to ensure the dogs still get adequate mental stimulation without overstimulating them physically.

What is the significance of limiting ball and frisbee play for dogs with high energy?

Limiting ball and frisbee play is important because these activities can trigger the release of stress hormones, leading to further excitement and difficulty in calming down.

How can training tricks and other brain-engaging activities help hyper dogs?

Training tricks and other brain-engaging activities can help hyper dogs by providing mental stimulation, which can be a more effective way of tiring them out and reducing their need for high-energy physical play.

What is the long-term impact of implementing these strategies for hyper dogs?

Consistently implementing these strategies can lead to significant improvements in a dog's ability to self-regulate, reduce stress hormone levels, and achieve a more balanced and calm demeanor, improving the quality of life for both the dog and its owner.

Outlines

00:00

🐾 Managing Hyperactive Dogs

The first paragraph discusses the challenges of living with hyperactive dogs that have high energy levels and poor impulse control. These dogs show a constant need for activity and struggle to settle or rest. They may fixate on moving toys and exhibit behaviors like jumping, spinning, and barking. The paragraph emphasizes that increasing physical activity is not the solution and can actually exacerbate the problem by releasing adrenaline and stress hormones. The narrator promises to explain why dogs behave this way and offers three ways to help them calm down, starting with the importance of understanding the role of adrenaline and stress hormones in their behavior.

05:03

🎯 Strategies for Calming Hyperactive Dogs

The second paragraph outlines strategies to help hyperactive dogs. The first strategy involves more nose work and enrichment, which can help dogs relax by engaging their natural scent-tracking abilities. The narrator suggests starting with simple tasks like scattering food and gradually increasing the complexity. The second strategy is to encourage rest and sleep, which is crucial for these dogs to switch off and self-regulate their energy levels. The use of a Kong toy filled with peanut butter is recommended to help them relax. The third strategy is to limit their exercise and obsession with toys like balls and frisbees, which can trigger the release of stress hormones. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of these strategies and the need for patience as improvements may take time to manifest.

Keywords

💡Hyper

Hyper refers to a state of being overly excited or energetic to the point of being uncontrollable. In the context of the video, it describes dogs that have high energy levels and poor impulse control, which makes them difficult to manage. The video discusses how these dogs constantly seek more stimulation and do not have an 'off switch,' illustrating the term through behaviors such as jumping, spinning, and barking.

💡Impulse Control

Impulse control is the ability to resist or delay an urge to act. The video highlights that hyper dogs have 'poor impulse control,' meaning they struggle to resist the urge to engage in high-energy activities or respond to stimuli. This lack of control is evident when the dogs jump up, bark excessively, or cannot settle down, even after physical exercise.

💡Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation is the process of managing and controlling one's emotions. The script mentions that hyper dogs have 'very little emotional regulation,' which means they have difficulty managing their excitement or energy levels. This inability to regulate emotions is linked to their constant need for activity and their fixation on moving toys.

💡Adrenaline

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone that prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response. The video explains that adrenaline and stress hormones like cortisol are released with both negative and positive stimuli, which can lead to high energy levels in dogs. The video uses the example of a dog's excitement during play to illustrate how repeated exposure to adrenaline can fuel the hyper behavior the owner is trying to manage.

💡Stress Hormones

Stress hormones, such as cortisol, are released in response to stress and can affect an individual's mood and behavior. The script discusses how stress hormones can be released during activities that are perceived as fun, leading to a cycle of high energy and difficulty in relaxing. This concept is crucial in understanding why increasing physical activity is not the solution for hyper dogs.

💡Nose Work

Nose work involves engaging a dog's sense of smell in activities that require them to search for scents or objects. The video suggests that more nose work can help hyper dogs relax by naturally lowering stress hormones. It gives an example of scattering food in a small area and encouraging the dog to 'find' it, which not only engages their nose but also provides mental stimulation.

💡Enrichment

Enrichment, in the context of the video, refers to activities that provide mental and physical stimulation to dogs. The script describes how enrichment, such as using a snuffle mat or puzzle toys, can be tiring for hyper dogs and help them relax. It contrasts this form of exercise with physical exercise, emphasizing that enrichment can be more effective for certain dogs.

💡Rest and Sleep

Rest and sleep are essential for all animals, including dogs, to recover and regulate their energy levels. The video emphasizes the need for hyper dogs to have periods of rest and sleep, suggesting methods like providing a Kong toy filled with peanut butter to encourage licking and relaxation. The script also advises creating a quiet and calm environment to facilitate sleep.

💡Exercise Limitation

Exercise limitation involves reducing the amount or intensity of physical activity to manage a dog's energy levels. The video suggests that for hyper dogs, it's important to limit exercise and replace it with nose work and enrichment. It provides examples of reducing running to brisk walking or limiting free time in the yard to help the dog learn to self-regulate their energy.

💡Ball and Frisbee Obsession

Ball and frisbee obsession refers to a dog's fixation on these toys to the point where they become overexcited and unable to engage in other activities. The video discusses the need to limit such obsessions because they can trigger the release of stress hormones and contribute to the dog's hyperactive state. It advises owners to introduce alternative activities that engage the dog's brain and nose.

Highlights

Dogs with high energy levels can be challenging to manage due to their constant need for exercise and stimulation.

Misinterpreting a dog's high energy as a need for more physical activity can exacerbate their excitability.

Overly excited or hyper dogs often display poor impulse control and difficulty in emotional regulation.

Common behaviors of hyper dogs include mouthiness, jumping, spinning, barking, and an inability to settle or rest.

Adrenaline and stress hormones like cortisol can be triggered by both positive and negative stimuli, affecting a dog's behavior.

Adrenaline can make dogs crave more activity, leading to a cycle of increased excitability.

To help hyper dogs, increasing physical activity is not the solution and can actually fuel the unwanted behavior.

Nose work and enrichment activities can help lower stress hormones and encourage relaxation in dogs.

Engaging a dog's nose and brain through scent work can be more tiring and beneficial than physical exercise.

Using toys like a Kong filled with peanut butter can help dogs relax and encourage sleep.

Limiting exercise and ball or frisbee play is crucial in managing the behavior of hyper dogs.

Introducing rest and sleep routines can help hyper dogs switch off and self-regulate their energy levels.

Incorporating mental stimulation through puzzles and games can reduce a dog's reliance on physical activity.

Reducing heavy play sessions with other dogs can help manage a hyper dog's exposure to high arousal stimuli.

Consistent implementation of these strategies over time can lead to significant improvements in a dog's behavior.

The importance of understanding the reasons behind a dog's hyperactivity is emphasized for effective management.

Transcripts

These dogs can be incredibly hard to live  with, you can't walk them long enough, you  

can't exercise them hard enough, you cannot  throw that ball or frisbee enough. When you  

return home from exercising them or walking  them, they still want more. So their ball or 

frisbee is then thrown again and again, because  they're still showing high energy and we mis 

read that as a need for more. We will get to  ball obsession later and show you three ways  

you can truly help these dogs get some calm  into their lives. So how do you know your dog  

is overly excited or hyper ? These dogs have  poor impulse control, very little emotional  

regulation and constantly want to be on the  move. they can have difficulty listening, they  

may be mouthy, jumping, spinning and barking.  They usually are unable to settle or rest  

and they may be fixated on moving toys like  balls or frisbees. These dogs are often panting  

when moving and sometimes have an almost  manic look. Over excited highly energetic  

and hyper dogs are hard to live with they have  no off switch, these dogs can have incredible

stamina. Reactive dogs can also have these hyper  over excited issues ,walking these dogs is also  

difficult because they're likely dragging you  far behind them. These dogs can jump up at you  

or others, they lack impulse control and generally  don't listen well either. Tomorrow and the next day  

will be exactly the same unless we look at  how to help them. We're going to look at why  

your dog is doing this and please don't skip  that part, it's vital to know this information  

and three ways to help them and help you too,  as these dogs can be incredibly difficult to  

live with. Increasing physical activity is not the  answer and it can fuel the very behavior you want  

to stop. Unfortunately many people make the same  mistake with these over excited hyper dogs by  

exercising them harder, faster and for longer  but they will always crave more and more and  

it's usually much more than many people can give  them. So why are these dogs like this ? Here it gets  

a little bit tricky ,we're going to talk about  adrenaline for a minute. Adrenaline and stress  

hormones such as cortisol are released with both  negative and positive stimulus that means throwing  

that ball again and again or exercising them  longer or harder can cause adrenaline levels  

and stress hormones to be released over  and over again, and they can stay high. We  

can inadvertently fuel the very behavior we don't  want. Those hormones, they are powerful. Remember  

being on your first roller coaster as a child ? Fun, but stressful too, your dog can experience  

fun and stress at the same time. Adrenaline is so  powerful it can be sought after by dogs again and  

again, adrenaline and other stress hormones can  stay in a dog system for days and days. For hyper, 

over aroused dogs they're getting exposure to  adrenaline and cortisol again and again, every  

day which is why we really need to help them,  because adrenaline can make a dog crave more, do  

more, want more and struggle to relax, remain still  or be calm. Now let's look at ways we can help them . 

You won't see improvements straight away as it  won't happen immediately because those stress  

hormones need to lower and that can take while,  but if you stick with this you'll likely see  

vast improvements. Number one more nose work and  enrichment. A dog that uses their nose more helps  

them to relax more, this helps naturally lower  those stress hormones. They start to use their  

nose more than eyes and that's desperately needed  by these dogs. Dogs relax more when their nose and  

brains are engaged, they will likely need taught  how to do this so you can encourage this just  

by saying "find" and scattering some food on the  lawn or backyard. Start with a small area, half a  

meter by half a meter, say "find" and scatter a few  pieces of food in that half meter area, repeat a  

few times a day and gradually expand that area to  a few meters, then a few days after that scatter  

it far and wide in your yard say "find" and watch  what happens. Just throw one piece out and say

find very

good, excellent, excellent work, well done. That  nose goes down immediately sniffing for that  

food and their brain is also going to try and  figure out the direction of the scent and how to  

get that next piece, remember sniffing is relaxing,  they can be out there for half an hour finding  

their dinner, that is half an hour of enrichment  and some Studies have shown it can tire them out  

far more than physical exercise. It's a different  form of exercise that many dogs crave. Use a rolled  

up towel, pop some rewards in along the towel,  let them use their nose to discover where those  

rewards are. If that becomes too easy, knot the  towel ,use snuffle mats or licki mats because  

licking reduces stress too. Puzzles are good  but they can be really boring after a while  

as they know how to use them or they can cause  frustration. You can use cups and hide a reward  

under one cup and hide five cups around your home,  inside and outside, but just one cup has a reward  

inside and the whole family can be involved with  this too. Enrichment is tiring, that's why we add  

it in for hyper dogs, it can be so tiring it can  help enormously with the next suggestion. Number  

two, rest and sleep. This is desperately needed by  these dogs, many hyper dogs need to switch off and  

settle. They will need you to help with this,  three times a day put them in a quieter area,  

ideally where they sleep at night. You can give  them a Kong with a smear of peanut butter inside  

so they lick and lick and remember licking is  also relaxing. They may barely doze at first  

but stick with it, they desperately need sleep  to help them switch their energy off. When they  

come back from a big walk or a play you should  pop them away for as sleep then because these  

dogs can take things to the next level if you  don't help them switch off and self-regulate  

their energy levels. Consider pulling the curtains,  covering the crate and using some music to muffle  

outside sounds, Number three, start limiting their  exercise and limit the ball and frisbee. You need  

to slowly lessen the exercise amount while adding  in that nose work and enrichment, depending on your  

own individual dog consider lowering it for 10  minutes or make the exercise at a lower intensity.  

So if you usually run with them consider walking  them briskly instead, limit their free time just  

roaming in a yard. These dogs usually don't  rest in a yard, they will run, walk and pace  

for hours on end, so again we need to limit that  too. You cannot just stop exercise for these dogs,  

you need to work out a plan of reducing it while  implementing all the other steps we've discussed.  

Ball and frisbee obsession requires limits being  placed on it too, remember that stress hormones  

are released during fun times also, so limit that  exposure to ball games or their frisbee especially if  

they're obsessed with it. Play tug, train some  tricks with them, get their brain working and  

use that nose. Limiting heavy play sessions with  other dogs is also important, these dogs need us to  

help them limit those times of high arousal, which  again can release those stress hormones from both  

positive or negative stimuli. Hyper or over excited  dogs cannot self-regulate and we need to help them  

do it. All of these suggestions work but they  do take time, though if you stick with this you  

may see small improvements after a few days but  certainly after a few weeks you can make a huge  

difference in your dog's life and your own. If you  would like to you can hit the Subscribe button or  

join over 20 ,000 followers on our Facebook  page there's another video here too if you'd  

like to learn more about body language and thanks  again for watching and I wish you all a great day.