Dog calming for a hyperactive dog, or a stressed out or scared dog can be approached in numerous different ways. It is not always a simple dog behaviour problem to cope with as dogs can get hyper for all sorts of reasons and in all kinds of different circumstances, so we’ve brought together 8 different dog calming methods you can try out and see which of them helps you create a relaxed and calm dog.

1. Stay Calm Yourself

Learn to be calm around your dogs as they’re highly responsive to moods and their hyper active behaviour may be a reaction to the way that you are feeling. Dogs often look to their owners to discover how they react in situations, so if you stay calm at times when your dog is showing signs of stress, they may take the lead from you and be calmer themselves.

2. Become the Pack Leader

Ensure your dog does not see themselves as leader of the pack as this makes them responsible for the security of the other members of the pack (you and other folks in your home) and the decision maker. This is a difficult job for a dog living in a world they don’t understand and regularly causes them a lot of anxiety. Learn how to show them that you’re the pack leader as this can reduce anxious behavior significantly and can be a very effective dog calming method.

Being pack leader doesn’t mean you’ve got to be harsh with your dog or use dominant techniques like pinning them down, it is more about showing them you are the decision maker and your dog should then happily co-operate.

3. Tackle Dog Anxiety with Training

Anxiety in dogs could cause a fair bit of manic behavior, and anxious dogs find it tough to relax and be calm, so target your training on techniques that help reduce anxiousness like desensitisation training. This should help them learn new behavior in potentially anxious situations and stay calm.

4. Give Your Dog Lots of Activity

Active and high energy dogs need stimulation and activity, whether or not that is with a walk or with an energetic play session at home, or perhaps toys that tax their brains. While I do not believe that boredom is the cause of hyperactivity, and know that many dogs are happy to lie around for hours at a time, most dogs also like to engage their minds and exhausted dogs don’t often have the energy to be manic!

5. Ignore Your Dog’s Manic Behavior

It is not always straightforward, but ignoring your dog’s hyper behavior, could be an swift and efficient dog calming method. Try walking away from them if they start to behave manically. If you move out of the room or garden so they can not see you, you’ll be amazed how often your dog will stop what they are doing to follow you. This is particularly effective if your dog is acting up to get your interest.

6. Take Consistent Action

The minute your dog begins to get hyper or acting up, give them a consequence for behaving this way. A little time-out, either in a crate or a limited area where they can’t damage themselves or anything else, can be very effective. Put them where they can’t see you and wait until they’re calm before you let them out. Do this every time and they should learn that they only get attention for being a calm dog.

7. Don’t Respond to Your Dog

Make sure you don’t reinforce their behaviour by paying attention to it. Attention may be speaking to them (or even screaming at them in irritation), trying to stroke them or touch them, chasing them or maybe just catching their eye. Attention is sort of a reward to a dog so they may do it more frequently. It may also make a dog think that their behaviour is the correct way to behave because you gave them attention for it.

8. Use Medication or Stress Reducing Products

There are herbal products that can be purchased from pet stores or online such a Rescue Remedy that claim to help with dog calming. These are often believed to be more safe than drugs, and have fewer, or no unwanted effects on your dog. Other products like the Thundershirt, Anxiety Wrap or DAP can also help some dogs relax. Only consider using dog anxiety medication in acute scenarios and always take guidance from you vet first.

Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website which provides help and information for dog owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about dog calming methods, when you visit the site.