Have you ever seen a toddler after they’ve missed their nap? Rather than being so tired that they calmly fall asleep the moment they lay down, they unlock a hyper, cranky, and/or defiant side of themselves that you wouldn’t otherwise see.
It’s easy to assume the more you tire out a puppy, the better behaved they will be. After all, a tired puppy is a happy puppy, right?
While yes, it’s important that your dog gets enough exercise and stimulation, too much without proper rest can lead to them being overtired.
So what happens when your puppy is overtired? A lot, and most of it is not good.
Today, we’re going to take a look at the seven signs of an overtired puppy and what you can do to prevent it.
Have you ever watched your adorable puppy suddenly transform into a tiny tornado of chaos? One minute they’re playing nicely, and the next they’re zooming around, biting everything in sight, and seeming completely out of control
Surprise! Your puppy isn’t being naughty – they’re probably overtired,
Yes, puppies act out when tired, and it’s one of the most counterintuitive parts of puppy parenthood. Just like cranky toddlers who fight sleep, puppies often become more hyperactive and difficult when they desperately need rest.
As a dog trainer who’s worked with hundreds of puppies (and the proud owner of a formerly wild Miniature Poodle), I’ve seen firsthand how an overtired puppy can baffle new pet parents. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this confusing but completely normal behavior.
Why Do Puppies Act Out When They’re Tired?
It sounds completely backwards, right? You’d think a tired puppy would just… fall asleep. But that’s not how puppy biology works.
When puppies become overtired, their bodies release cortisol and adrenaline as a “second wind” to keep them going. This hormonal response actually makes it harder for them to settle down, creating a frustrating cycle where they become more hyper the more tired they get.
An overtired puppy isn’t being stubborn or disobedient – their little bodies are literally working against them, pumping them full of stress hormones when what they really need is rest.
Why This Matters: Health Risks of an Overtired Puppy
This isn’t just about surviving the puppy phase. Allowing your puppy to regularly become overtired can lead to:
- Weakened immune system
- Joint and back issues
- Impaired learning ability
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Development of problematic behaviors that can persist into adulthood
Plus, a 10-pound puppy zooming around might be manageable, but imagine the same behavior in a 60-pound adult dog! Teaching your puppy to rest appropriately now prevents bigger problems later.
How Much Sleep Do Puppies Actually Need?
Most new puppy owners are shocked to learn that puppies need approximately 18-20 hours of sleep per day. Yes, you read that right – 18 to 20 hours!
That means your puppy should only be awake and active for about 4-6 hours total each day, broken into short periods between naps.
A good rule of thumb for playtime: 5 minutes of activity per month of age. So a 3-month-old puppy should only play for about 15 minutes before resting again.
10 Signs Your Puppy is Overtired (Not Just Naughty)
Here are the most common ways puppies act out when they’re actually overtired:
1. Increased Biting and Nipping
Overtired puppies often become mouthy monsters! If your puppy suddenly starts biting more intensely, grabbing at your clothes, or nipping at your ankles, they’re likely telling you they’re past their limit.
2. The Zoomies
Those wild bursts of energy where your puppy races around like a maniac? Classic overtiredness. When puppies get “the zoomies,” it’s often their body’s way of trying to burn off stress hormones after becoming too tired.
3. Hyperactivity/Inability to Settle
If your puppy seems to have endless energy and just can’t settle down no matter what, paradoxically, they probably need sleep. An overtired puppy often appears to have more energy, not less.
4. Ignoring Commands They Usually Know
Has your puppy suddenly forgotten all their training? When puppies are overtired, their cognitive function declines dramatically. Commands they normally respond to might as well be in a foreign language.
5. Destructive Chewing
If your puppy starts frantically chewing on furniture, shoes, or other inappropriate items (especially if this isn’t their usual behavior), they might be overtired and looking for a way to release tension.
6. Excessive Barking or Whining
An overtired puppy often becomes more vocal. If your normally quiet pup starts barking at nothing or whining excessively, it could be a sign they need rest.
7. Panting When Not Hot or Active
Stress-related panting in a puppy who isn’t hot or hasn’t been exercising can indicate overtiredness. This is their body’s response to the stress hormones flooding their system.
8. Excessive Thirst
Have you noticed your puppy suddenly drinking tons of water? Stress from being overtired can make puppies extremely thirsty.
9. The “Crazy Eyes”
This one’s harder to describe but easy to recognize once you’ve seen it. Overtired puppies often get a wild look in their eyes – you might even see the whites of their eyes showing (sometimes called “whale eye”). It’s a clear sign they’re overstimulated.
10. Clinginess or Following You Everywhere
If your normally independent puppy suddenly won’t let you out of their sight, they might be overtired and seeking comfort. Alternatively, some overtired puppies go the opposite direction and seek isolation.
How to Calm an Overtired Puppy
Once your puppy reaches the overtired state, you’ll need to help them calm down before they can actually sleep. Here’s what works:
1. Create a Calm Environment
Take your puppy to a quiet, dimly lit space away from stimulation. Remove toys and other exciting objects that might tempt them to keep playing.
2. Use a Crate or Pen
If your puppy is crate trained, their crate can be the perfect place to help them settle. The confined space limits their ability to keep zooming around and signals that it’s time to rest.
3. Gentle Massage or Petting
Some puppies respond well to slow, gentle petting or a light massage to help their bodies calm down. Keep your own energy very calm and quiet during this process.
4. Calming Activities
Offer a chew toy or lick mat to help them wind down. Chewing and licking release endorphins that can help calm an overtired puppy.
5. Stick to a Schedule
The best approach is prevention! Puppies thrive on routine, so create a daily schedule that includes plenty of nap times. Even if your puppy seems full of energy, stick to your scheduled nap times.
Preventing Overtiredness in Puppies
The ideal approach is to prevent your puppy from becoming overtired in the first place:
Establish a Consistent Routine
Puppies thrive on predictability. Create a daily schedule with regular nap times, feeding times, play sessions, and potty breaks.
Enforce Regular Nap Times
Don’t wait for your puppy to show signs of tiredness. Proactively put them down for naps throughout the day, ideally in their crate or a quiet area where they won’t be disturbed.
Balance Physical and Mental Exercise
Mental stimulation (like training or puzzle toys) is just as tiring for puppies as physical exercise, but with less risk of overstimulation. Balance both types of activities in short sessions.
Recognize Early Warning Signs
Learn to spot the subtle early signs that your puppy is getting tired, like slightly slowed movements or brief pauses in play. These are your cues to initiate rest before the crazy behavior starts.
Real-Life Example: My Experience with Baloo
When I first got my Miniature Poodle Baloo, I was completely baffled by his behavior. He would be playing nicely one minute, then suddenly start racing around, biting my ankles, and seem completely out of control.
I thought he needed MORE exercise to burn off his “excess energy.” Boy was I wrong! When I started enforcing nap times in his crate every couple of hours, his behavior improved dramatically. He literally couldn’t settle himself down – I had to teach him how by creating a schedule.
For the first few months, Baloo needed to be in his crate for almost all of his sleep time. As he matured, he gradually learned to settle outside the crate too. Now he’s a well-adjusted adult dog who knows when it’s time to chill!
Dealing with Overtired Puppy Biting
Biting is probably the most frustrating overtired behavior. Here are two effective techniques to address it:
The Ignore Method
As soon as your puppy starts biting, immediately stop all interaction. Turn away and completely ignore them. If they persist, leave the room for 30-60 seconds. When you return, remain calm and don’t re-engage until they’ve settled.
The Squeak Method
When your puppy bites, make a high-pitched “eep!” sound, similar to the sound a puppy makes when play gets too rough. Then stop playing and look away. This mimics how puppies learn bite inhibition from their littermates.
When to Seek Professional Help
While overtired behavior is normal, if you’ve consistently implemented these strategies for several weeks with no improvement, or if your puppy’s behavior seems extreme, consider consulting with a professional dog trainer or your veterinarian. Some behaviors that look like overtiredness could have medical causes that need attention.
Final Thoughts
Remember, your puppy isn’t giving you a hard time – they’re having a hard time. Their little bodies and brains are developing rapidly, and they need your help learning how to regulate their energy and get enough rest.
By recognizing the signs of an overtired puppy and proactively managing their schedule to include plenty of rest, you’ll not only survive the puppy phase but help raise a well-adjusted adult dog who knows how to relax.
Have you noticed your puppy acting out when tired? What signs do they show? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
SHORT BURSTS OF ACTIVITY
Another component of your routine should be short bursts of activity. So instead of taking your dog for a walk, then playing fetch, then doing a training session, then mental enrichment, structure your schedule to include downtime (maybe in the crate) between each (and potty breaks, too, of course!).
That way, your dog can have proper energy and focus for each activity – and they will have plenty of opportunities to rest and prevent overtiredness.
WHY SHOULDN’T YOU LET YOUR PUPPY GET OVERTIRED?
Dogs need a lot of sleep, especially puppies. You can expect your young dog to sleep 15-20 hours a day in the early days and 12-14 hours per day as they reach adulthood.
When puppies don’t get enough rest between active periods, they get into a state of overexcitement. This not only can make it extremely difficult for you to interact with and manage your dog, but it can have adverse effects on their health and wellbeing, including:
- Weakened immune system
- Joint or back issues
- Dangerous, destructive behaviors
- Lowered ability to learn and retain
- Aggression
So, just because it seems like your pup can run wild for hours on end doesn’t mean you should let them.
Do You Have A HYPER Puppy That Never Gets Tired?
FAQ
How do puppies act when overtired?
When puppies are overtired, they are restless, irritable and frankly, quite annoying. Most often, you’ll see a lot more biting behaviour from your puppy if they are tired. You do want to make sure that they are sleeping anywhere between 16-18 hours per day on average.
What is a red flag puppy’s behavior?
As for any red flags in a foster puppy that young, you look for signs of illness, diarrhea, coughing, vomiting, blood in urine or stool, lethargy etc. As for behavioural red flags, very intense and fixated staring, tense body language, meaningful growling.
At what age are puppies most hyper?
4 – 6 months.
Pups are really energetic now! They’re increasingly playful and curious, usually engaged in physical activity when awake and full of boundless energy. Training and continued socialisation are really important during this phase – and enforcing a routine is crucial to calming them down.
Do puppies get more bitey when tired?
They are TIRED. Being overtired is one of the most common reasons we see puppies exhibit overly bitey and nippy behavior. Young puppies need 16-18 hours of sleep each day.