Fifteen years ago, we were asking ourselves this same question about our nearly 15 year old cockapoo, Angel. When the heck will this dog calm down? The veterinarian replied, “If he didn’t calm down by now, then he’ll never calm down!” So when you ask “when will my puppy calm down?”, here’s what you may or may not expect!
Puppy Activity
Puppies will always be excited and playful (unless they are asleep). The fact is that you can never predict at what age calmness takes over your puppy. Puppies (and dogs in general) should always display a certain level of playfulness and enthusiasm about living. Certain puppy activities such as stealing socks, growling, or chasing should come to an end soon, though, especially if you’re taking your pup to a training class.
Active or Passive?
Some dogs are active; others passive and it’s important to know the difference because each type will react differently to you, to others, and to new situations. If your dog is passive you must put in a bit of effort and emotion when teaching new commands to your dog. The opposite is true for the dog with an active personality. You’ll want to be relaxed, firm, and quiet when teaching new commands.
Different Breeds, Different Times
Maturity comes to different breeds at different times, usually at one to two years of age. Female pups will mature faster than the males (just like in human life)! You should never try to quell the energy levels of puppies which is a natural exhibition of puppy energy. Instead, you can follow these guidelines that will help you out a bit until the pup matures.
The Signs of a Maturing Pup
Sometimes you have trouble determining when your pup reaches maturity. If this is the case, just ask your vet. One sign you cannot overlook are the growth signs. If you notice the pup is still growing, he hasn’t reached maturity and he probably hasn’t calmed down either! Along with growth spurts come increased hunger and sleep, so get ready to buy those 25lb dog food bags when you notice that your pups paws have outgrown his body! And of course jumping, teething, and disobedience are signs of your doggies adolescence. Oh joy! Oh joy!
Your Pup’s Home Life
It may surprise you but your pup’s routine at home does factor in when you determine just when your pup will calm down. As a matter of fact, a dog’s home life factors in as a huge role! Routine is what dogs know and love. They thirst for interaction and socialization and having their position in the family “pack” defined. Without these things, a dog’s life will spiral downward and they’ll become withdrawn or totally uncontrollable as they become the “alpha” member of your family – this is something you never, never want to occur. Keeping your pup on a routine feeding, exercise, and potty training schedule coupled with teaching the pup basic commands like sit, no, and heel will give your pup some sense of security. A secure dog is a confident and relaxed dog. You can sway his actions toward you by the way you behave and react also – if you’re calm, it stands to reason that he’ll also be calm.
As your dog reaches full maturity his excitement and playfulness may gradually subside. Your dog’s senior years may also cite an end to the puppy exuberance your dog had displayed throughout the puppy years but if your dog becomes excessively relaxed or sluggish it could mean illness. Regular visits to the vet can insure your dog’s health for years to come.
By Tom Matteo
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References:
The Nest
Pet Care RX
About the Author
Tom Matteo has been a freelance writer since 1992. He has written hardware and software reviews for computers and gaming systems, and now writes about animal behavior and care. Tom resides in Bethlehem, PA with his wife, Tina, and their beloved cockapoo, Angel.