When Do Puppies Calm Down? (At What Age?)

Puppies are known for their high energy levels and playful nature. But at what age do puppies calm down?

Is it when they reach adulthood?

The answer varies depending on the individual dog. We’re sharing what you can expect in general, and some tips to help your puppy calm down when they need to.

Puppy Energy: Causes of High Activity Levels

Puppies are full of energy and enthusiasm. They’re also known for being bitey, nippy, and generally rambunctious. It’s all part of the puppyhood experience! But at some point, every pup will need to learn how to calm down.

There are a few things that contribute to a puppy’s high energy levels:

Psychological State

Puppies are in a constant state of “play.” This is their way of exploring the world and learning about their place in it. When puppies are bored or anxious, they may turn to destructive behaviors like chewing and digging. Its important to give your puppy plenty of attention and appropriate outlets for their energy.

Sex

Male puppies tend to be more active than females. This is due to testosterone levels, which are higher in males. If you have a male puppy, you may find that he’s more difficult to calm down than a female.

Breed

Some breeds are just naturally more active than others. Herding dogs, for example, were bred to work all day long. You can expect them to have higher energy levels as a result.

Social Structure

Puppies who live in a pack (like those in a shelter or rescue) are often more active than those who are the only dog in the home. This is because they’re used to having a lot of stimulation from other dogs.

Evolution in Puppy Energy Levels

Puppies are born with a high level of energy. They need it to survive in the wild. But as they grow and learn, their energy levels will start to decline. This is because they’re no longer in a state of “constant danger.”

As puppies age, they learn to control their energy levels and focus on it in more constructive ways. This is why you may see a difference in your puppy’s energy level from one day to the next.

0 to 10 weeks old

You may not know it, but there are many changes happening inside your pup. Their first few weeks after birth is when you’ll experience some of these dramatic behavioral shifts that will shape how they act for life! 

A puppy comes out into this world with no eyesight and relies completely on its mother for survival. They only start to see when they’re around 2 weeks old.

From here, they’ll start moving farther from the nest until the mother believes that they are prepared to face the world.

By this time, you should prepare yourself. Your puppies have a lot of energy to spend. You’ll see them running and walking around on their own.

10 to 16 weeks old

At this age, you can start training your pups. They’ll be as energetic as ever with a short attention span so patience is a must. Training should be short but keep it up and you’ll see results.

Your puppies will start teething at this point. So, they’ll want to chew on anything they can get their mouths on. Be sure to give them plenty of chew toys and keep an eye out for anything they might chew that’s harmful.

4 to 6 months old

By this point, make sure you stay on top of your pup’s vaccination schedule. Once they’re fully vaccinated, you can start taking them out in public places.

This is when your pup starts to socialize. They’ll want to meet other dogs and people. It’s important to introduce them slowly so they don’t get overwhelmed.

They’ll also start showings separation anxiety when you leave them alone. This is normal and will pass with time. Just be sure to give them plenty of attention when you’re home.

Keep in mind they might show anxiety, overt aggression, or fearfulness. They’re pretty easy to get riled up. You can ask the help of a professional trainer if things get out of hand.

6 months to 1 year old

Your puppies are now familiar with their routine but don’t be fooled. Don’t stop your training.

Puppies at this age are still energetic. Be sure to socialize, exercise, and train your pups.

This is also the time when your pups start calming down.

1 to 2 years old

By this age, your pups are considered adults. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need attention. Dogs at this age still need plenty of exercise and socialization.

You may find that your dog is calmer than when they were a puppy. But they can still have moments of high energy.

Dogs reach their full adult size by this age. But some breeds take longer to mature than others.

At What Age Do Puppies Calm Down?

It’s hard to say exactly when puppies calm down. It depends on the individual dog and its breed. Some dogs may calm down as early as 1 year old while others may take longer.

The best thing you can do is to continue socializing, exercising, and training your pup. This will help them to develop into well-rounded dogs.

If you’re finding that your pup is still full of energy and isn’t calming down, you can ask the help of a professional trainer. They can help you to find ways to channel your pup’s energy in a positive way.

How to Calm Your Puppy Down

Mental Stimulation

One way to calm your puppy down is to provide them with mental stimulation. This can be in the form of training, puzzle toys, and interactive games.

Puppies (and dogs) need to use their brains to stay calm. If they’re bored, they’ll likely become anxious or destructive.

Providing your pup with mental stimulation will help them to stay calm and redirect their energy in a positive way.

Create Routines

Another way to calm your puppy down is to create routines. This could be a daily routine or a routine for specific activities such as going for walks, eating, and going to bed.

Routines will help your pup to know what to expect and when. This can help to reduce anxiety and make them feel more secure.

It’s important to be consistent with your routines so that your pup can learn and follow them.

Regular Exercise

Exercise is important for puppies (and dogs) of all ages. It helps to burn off excess energy and can help to calm them down.

Be sure to exercise your puppy regularly. This could be in the form of walks, runs, playtime, and games.

Exercise will also help to tire your puppy out so that they’re more likely to nap and relax.

Obedience Training

Obedience training is a great way to help your puppy learn how to behave. It will also help you to build a bond with your pup.

Training your puppy basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down can help them to focus and concentrate. This can be helpful when you’re trying to calm them down.

It’s important to start training your puppy as early as possible. This will help them to learn faster and make it easier for you to teach them new things.

Crate Training

Crate training can be a helpful way to calm your puppy down. Dogs typically don’t like to soil their sleeping area.

So, crate training can help to potty-train your puppy and keep them calm when they’re inside their crate.

It’s important to choose the right size crate for your puppy. They should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Never use the crate as a punishment. This will only make your puppy fear it and associate it with negative feelings.

Ignore Your Pup

This may sound counterintuitive but ignoring your puppy can actually help to calm them down.

If your pup is barking, whining, or jumping up, turn your back on them and don’t give them any attention.

Once they’ve calmed down, you can give them the attention they want. This will teach them that they only get attention when they’re calm.

It’s important to be patient when trying to calm your puppy down. It may take some time and effort but it will be worth it in the end.

Control Feeding Habits

What and when you feed your puppy can have an impact on their energy levels.

It’s important to feed your pup several small meals throughout the day rather than one large meal.

This will help to prevent them from becoming overly full and energetic. You should also avoid feeding your puppy before bedtime so that they’re more likely to sleep through the night.

Puppies need a lot of energy to grow and develop. So, it’s important to make sure they’re getting the right nutrients.

You can talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your puppy.

Conclusion

Puppies need a lot of care and attention. They’re also full of energy and can be quite mischievous.

There are several things you can do to help calm your puppy down. These include providing them with mental stimulation, exercise, and obedience training.

You should also crate train your puppy and control their feeding habits.

With time and patience, you can help your puppy to calm down and behave.