dog training, hyperactive dog, calm dog tips, impulse control, stop dog jumping, high-energy dog, puppy training, dog obedience, behavior training, dog trainer advice

If you’ve got a dog that seems to have endless energy—zooming around the house, jumping on guests, barking at everything that moves—you’re not alone. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), I’ve worked with countless owners struggling to figure out the best ways to train a hyperactive dog. The good news? You can absolutely teach your energetic pup to focus, listen, and calm down with the right approach. It just takes a mix of structure, consistency, and plenty of patience.

Understanding Hyperactivity in Dogs

Before we jump into training techniques, let’s talk about what hyperactivity actually means in dogs. Many people assume their dog is just “too much,” but in reality, hyperactive behavior usually stems from one (or a combination) of these common factors:

• Lack of Physical Exercise: Dogs need an outlet for their energy. If they don’t get it, they’ll create one—usually in ways you won’t like.
• Insufficient Mental Stimulation: A bored dog is a destructive dog. Without mental challenges, hyperactivity can spiral out of control.
• Inconsistent Training: If commands and boundaries aren’t clear, a dog won’t understand what’s expected of them.
• Overstimulation: Some dogs struggle to process excitement, leading to jumping, barking, and general chaos.

Now, let’s dig into practical ways to help your high-energy dog settle down and focus.

The Best Ways to Train a Hyperactive Dog

1. Make Daily Exercise Non-Negotiable

One of the first things I ask clients is, “How much exercise is your dog getting daily?” The answer is often not enough. A quick walk around the block isn’t going to cut it for an energetic dog.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Morning Workout: Start the day with at least 30-60 minutes of exercise. A mix of leash walking, fetch, or agility drills can do wonders.
• Midday Movement: If possible, another short walk or play session in the afternoon helps prevent pent-up energy.
• Evening Wind-Down: A gentle evening stroll or puzzle game is a great way to help your pup relax before bedtime.

Pro Tip: If you have a high-energy breed like a Border Collie, Belgian Malinois, or Jack Russell Terrier, you’ll need to level up their routine with activities like flirt poles, scent work, or structured runs.

2. Engage Their Brain with Mental Challenges

A dog with a tired mind is a happy, well-behaved dog. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, especially for intelligent breeds that get bored easily.

Try incorporating these brain-boosting activities:

• Puzzle Toys: Food-dispensing puzzles or snuffle mats keep their brain engaged.
• Training Sessions: Even 10-minute daily training drills reinforce obedience and focus.
• Nose Work Games: Hide treats around the house and let your dog sniff them out.
• Interactive Play: Games like hide-and-seek or “find the toy” challenge their problem-solving skills.

In my own experience, dogs that are both physically and mentally exercised are far less likely to exhibit hyperactive behavior. They learn to self-regulate, which makes training much easier.

Setting Realistic Expectations

One mistake many dog owners make is expecting instant results. Training an excitable dog takes time, and there will be days when progress feels slow. But trust me, if you stay consistent, you’ll see a huge difference in your pup’s behavior.

In the next section, we’ll dive deeper into structured training methods, impulse control exercises, and how to reinforce calm behavior.

Teaching Impulse Control: The Key to Calmer Behavior

One of the biggest hurdles when working with a hyperactive dog is teaching them to slow down and think before they act. Many dogs struggle with impulse control—jumping on people, snatching treats, bolting through doors—because they’ve never been taught patience.

Luckily, impulse control can be trained, and it’s a total game-changer. Here are my favorite exercises to help dogs develop self-restraint and learn to calm themselves down.

1. The “Wait” Command

Teaching “wait” is one of the simplest ways to reinforce impulse control. It can be used at doorways, before meals, or even during play.

1. Start with Food: Hold a treat in your hand and close your fist. If your dog paws at it or tries to grab it, stay still. The second they stop, open your hand.
2. Add a Cue: Say “wait” just before opening your hand. Repeat this daily.
3. Apply to Real Life: Use “wait” at mealtimes before placing their food bowl down, before opening the door for a walk, or even when getting in and out of the car.

Why it Works: This exercise teaches your dog that patience gets rewarded. Over time, they’ll start offering self-control without being asked.

2. Structured Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war isn’t just a fun game—it’s an amazing way to teach control. The key is to make it structured rather than chaotic.

• Start playing with a tug toy and let your dog engage.
• Randomly say “drop it” and stop all movement. If they let go, reward with praise and start the game again.
• Repeat until your dog understands that stopping the game when asked leads to more fun.

Dogs who learn to regulate their excitement during play will naturally start applying the same control in other areas of life.

Reinforcing Calm Behavior at Home

Too often, we unintentionally reinforce hyperactivity without realizing it. If a dog gets attention every time they jump, bark, or zoom around the house, they’ll keep doing it.

Instead, start rewarding the quiet moments:

• Capture Calmness: If your dog lies down on their own, give them a small treat or soft praise.
• Ignore Unwanted Energy: If they’re bouncing around for attention, avoid eye contact and wait for them to settle before engaging.
• Use a Relaxation Mat: Train your dog to go to a designated “calm spot” when they need to wind down.

Many of my clients are surprised at how quickly their dog starts offering more relaxed behavior once they consistently reward calmness instead of excitement.

How to Stop Jumping and Overexcitement

One of the most common issues I hear about is dogs who can’t control their excitement around people. Whether it’s jumping, barking, or spinning in circles, overexcitement can make greetings chaotic.

Here’s how to put a stop to it:

1. Ignore the Jumping

Dogs jump because it gets them attention. The solution? Take that attention away.

• When your dog jumps, immediately turn away and avoid eye contact.
• Wait for all four paws to be on the ground, then calmly reward.
• Be consistent—if one person allows jumping, it sends mixed signals.

2. Teach an Alternative Greeting

Instead of scolding jumping, show your dog what you want them to do instead.

2. Teach an Alternative Greeting

Instead of just saying “no” to jumping, show your dog a better way to greet people. This simple trick has worked wonders with my clients.

1. Before your dog gets a chance to jump, ask for a “sit”.
2. Only reward them with attention and petting if they remain seated.
3. If they jump, turn away and ignore them. Try again when they calm down.

With enough repetition, your dog will learn that sitting gets them what they want—and jumping doesn’t.

Handling Overstimulation in Public Places



Taking a hyperactive dog out in public can feel overwhelming. I’ve had plenty of clients tell me their dog turns into a completely different animal as soon as they step outside—pulling, barking, or losing focus altogether.

So, how do you help your dog stay calm in stimulating environments? Here’s what works:

1. Start with Short, Low-Stress Outings

Don’t expect your dog to walk perfectly in a crowded park on day one. Instead:

• Begin with quiet areas where distractions are minimal.
• Keep walks short, around 10-15 minutes, and gradually increase the duration.
• Focus on rewarding calm behavior before moving to busier places.

This builds confidence and helps prevent your dog from feeling overwhelmed.

2. Use High-Value Treats for Focus

If your dog is easily distracted, use special treats they don’t get at home—like freeze-dried liver, cheese, or chicken. The goal is to make YOU more interesting than whatever else is going on.

1. When your dog sees something exciting (like another dog or person), call their name.
2. As soon as they look at you, reward immediately.
3. Repeat often, reinforcing that checking in with you pays off.

Creating a Consistent Training Routine

Consistency is key when training a hyperactive dog. If you only work on training when you feel like it, progress will be slow. Instead, set up a structured daily routine.

1. Stick to a Daily Training Schedule

Even just 10-15 minutes of focused training per day can make a huge difference.

• Morning: Short obedience session (sit, stay, recall) before breakfast.
• Afternoon: Mental enrichment with puzzle toys or nose work.
• Evening: Leash training or practicing calm behaviors indoors.

The more predictable your dog’s routine, the more structured and settled they’ll become.

2. Get Everyone in the Household Involved

If different family members allow different behaviors, it confuses your dog. Make sure everyone follows the same rules:

• Use the same commands for training (e.g., don’t mix “off” and “down” for jumping).
• Avoid reinforcing bad habits by ignoring unwanted behaviors consistently.
• Celebrate small wins together to keep training fun and motivating.

Final Thoughts: Training Takes Time, But It’s Worth It

There’s no quick fix for hyperactivity, but with the right mix of exercise, structure, and impulse control training, your dog will learn to focus and settle down. I’ve seen countless hyper dogs transform into well-behaved companions—it just takes patience, consistency, and the right techniques.

If you’re feeling frustrated, remember: <

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