There’s nothing quite like the joy of coming home to an excited, happy dog. However, some dogs can become overly excited while out and about, jumping up on their guardians or others.
Kim Monteith, BC SPCA manager of animal welfare, shares tips and tricks for calming your overly excited dog and helping you manage your dog’s behaviour.
Your dog’s excitement is a natural reaction to seeing you or people they know, finding new smells, or seeing things that make them happy. However, things can become a little difficult when your dog doesn’t settle down quickly.
The first thing should do is to make sure you don’t reinforce such behaviours with attention, as this can encourage your dog to repeat the unwanted behaviour.
We’ve all been there – you come home after a long day, and your furry friend greets you with such enthusiasm that you wonder if your living room will survive the tornado of excitement. While a happy dog is wonderful, an overexcited one can be challenging to manage. The jumping, barking, spinning, and general chaos isn’t just annoying – it can actually be unhealthy behavior for your pup.
As a dog parent who’s dealt with this firsthand, I want to share some effective strategies that have helped me transform my own bouncy ball of fur into a more balanced companion These aren’t just theoretical tips – they’re battle-tested methods that actually work in real-life situations
Why Do Dogs Get Overexcited?
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why our dogs sometimes go into overdrive with their excitement. Dogs typically become overexcited due to:
- Seeing their favorite person (you!) after an absence
- Anticipating walks, food, or playtime
- Doorbell rings or visitors arriving
- Lack of sufficient exercise or mental stimulation
- Boredom that builds up into frantic energy
- New environments with unfamiliar smells and sights
Understanding your dog’s specific triggers is the first step to addressing the problem. Take a few minutes to observe what sets your dog in motion – is it the sight of the leash? The sound of the treat bag? Once you identify these triggers, you can better prepare to manage the resulting behavior.
7 Effective Ways to Calm an Overexcited Dog
1. Start With Yourself: The Calm Energy Approach
I used to make the mistake of shouting at my dog when he got too excited, thinking it would get his attention. Big mistake! What I didn’t realize was that my elevated energy was actually making things worse.
Dogs are incredibly perceptive to our emotional states. When you raise your voice or move frantically, your already excited pooch senses your heightened energy and reacts with even more excitement. It’s like adding fuel to a fire!
What works instead:
- Take a deep breath before interacting with your excited dog
- Use a calm, firm voice instead of shouting
- Move slowly and deliberately rather than rushing around
- Project the energy you want to see in your dog
When I started practicing this approach, the difference was noticeable almost immediately. My dog still gets excited, but he’s much quicker to settle down when I remain calm.
2. Don’t Reward the Wild Behavior
This one can be tough because an excited dog can be pretty darn cute! When my dog used to spin in circles at the sight of his favorite toy, I’d laugh and engage with him, not realizing I was actually encouraging the behavior.
Attention is a powerful reward for dogs, even if it’s negative attention. If you engage with your dog when they’re in a frenzied state, you’re essentially telling them “this behavior gets you what you want.”
What works instead:
- Turn your back and fold your arms when your dog is jumping or barking excessively
- Completely ignore the behavior – no talking, touching, or eye contact
- Wait for a moment of calmness, even if it’s brief
- Immediately reward the calm behavior with attention and possibly a treat
- Be consistent with this approach – everyone in the household needs to follow the same rules
This strategy requires patience, especially at first. Your dog might even escalate their behavior temporarily before realizing it’s not working. Stick with it!
3. Exercise Is Your Best Friend
A tired dog is generally a well-behaved dog. Many excitable dogs are simply bored and full of pent-up energy that needs an outlet. Without proper exercise, that energy can manifest as frantic behavior or even aggression.
What works instead:
- Consult with your vet about appropriate exercise for your dog’s breed, age, and health
- Implement daily walks or play sessions that genuinely tire your dog out
- Mix up the routine with different types of exercise – swimming, fetch, hiking, etc.
- Don’t forget mental exercise too! Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and training sessions all help drain mental energy
I’ve noticed a dramatic difference in my dog’s behavior on days when he gets a good 30-45 minute walk versus days when our exercise routine gets skipped. The investment of time in exercise pays off in a much calmer household.
4. Redirect to an Incompatible Behavior
One practical approach that’s worked wonders for me is teaching my dog behaviors that are physically incompatible with the excitement behavior. For example, a dog can’t jump up on people if they’re sitting calmly.
What works instead:
- Train a solid “sit” or “down” command during calm moments
- When your dog starts getting excited, redirect them to the incompatible behavior
- Reward heavily when they comply, making the alternative behavior more rewarding than the excitement
- Toss treats on the ground to keep your dog’s head down and feet on the floor
- Prepare for triggers in advance – ask for a sit before putting on the leash, for example
5. Use the “Toss Treat” Emergency Technique
This tip from the BC SPCA is excellent for those moments when you need to quickly interrupt escalating excitement. It’s particularly useful when guests arrive or in other high-stimulation situations.
How it works:
- When your dog starts getting overexcited, toss several treats on the ground away from the excitement source
- Your dog will get busy finding and eating the treats, interrupting the jumping or barking
- This keeps your dog’s head and feet down, teaching them that good things happen on the ground, not when jumping
- It also gives you or your guests a moment to reposition or create space
I keep a small pouch of treats by the door specifically for this purpose, and it’s been a game-changer for managing excitement when visitors arrive.
6. Consistency Is Key
This isn’t so much a technique as it is an overarching principle. Dogs thrive on consistency, and mixed messages will confuse them and delay progress.
If you’re trying to calm an overexcited dog, everyone in the household needs to follow the same protocols. If one person allows jumping while another doesn’t, your dog will never fully understand what’s expected.
Making consistency work:
- Have a family meeting to agree on rules and techniques
- Brief visitors on how to interact with your dog
- Create visual reminders if needed (like a sign by the door with instructions)
- Be patient with both your dog and other people as they learn
7. Consider Professional Help
If you’ve tried these techniques consistently and your dog’s overexcitement is still unmanageable, it might be time to call in a professional. A certified dog trainer or animal behaviorist can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
Look for trainers who use positive reinforcement methods rather than punishment-based approaches. The goal is to teach your dog alternative behaviors, not to suppress their natural enthusiasm through fear.
Don’t Forget Patience and Understanding
Remember that your dog isn’t trying to annoy you or be naughty – they’re expressing their joy and enthusiasm in the only way they know how. Training takes time, and there will be setbacks along the way.
Most overexcited dogs don’t transform overnight. You might see small improvements at first, followed by gradual progress over weeks or months. Celebrate the small victories and keep working consistently toward your goal.
Is Your Dog’s Excitement Normal or Concerning?
While excitement is normal, especially in young dogs, excessive or uncontrollable excitement that doesn’t respond to training might indicate underlying issues that need veterinary attention. Consider consulting your vet if:
- Your dog’s excitement seems truly uncontrollable or obsessive
- The behavior appeared suddenly in an otherwise calm dog
- Your dog seems unable to settle down even after exercise and training
- The excitement is accompanied by other concerning symptoms
Final Thoughts
A calm dog is a happy dog. When your pup has the right amount of physical and mental exercise, clear boundaries, and consistent guidance from you, they have less reason to live in an overly excitable state of mind.
I’ve seen firsthand how implementing these techniques can transform a chaotic household into a peaceful one. My formerly overexcited dog now greets me with a wagging tail and a sit instead of jumping and barking – and both of us are much happier for it!
What techniques have worked for you and your excitable pup? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Have you tried any of these methods with your dog? Share your experiences or questions in the comments section!
TIP: Turn away and redirect
- Ignore the behaviour: When your dog begins to jump up or become overexcited, turn away from them and ignore the behaviour.
- Ask your dog to sit and stay: For this to work, your dog should already be trained to understand the sit and stay cues.
- Once they do it, reinforce the behaviour by praising and rewarding them with a treat or petting them
Teach them alternate behaviour by redirecting their attention away from the stimulus and offering a reward your dog loves. This reinforces the new behaviour and helps you manage your dog’s excitement levels.
TIP: Toss treat to interrupt the behaviour
This is an excellent tip for an emergency. If your dog starts getting excited again:
- Toss treats: By tossing treats for your dog, you are giving them a chance to interrupt the behaviour
- Your dog gets busy getting treats and stops jumping
- Think ahead and be aware of the environment so you can prevent the behaviour from happening
“Tossing a treat interrupts behaviour and moves the dog away from the person. This gives them time to move away. Tossing treats also keeps the dog’s head and feet down, so they learn good things are on the ground,” says Monteith.
Being a mindful and responsible dog guardian is essential to managing your pet’s behaviour.
Pay attention to your dog’s wants and needs and look out for natural behaviours that are often misunderstood by humans.
“Keep in mind, dogs will be dogs, and they are trying to communicate with you – if they’re chewing on the leash or anxious to get going on their walk, they’re just being dogs, and they’re not trying to be bad or make you upset,” Monteith says.
Take the time to provide them with adequate exercise, socialization opportunities, and training to help prevent this behaviour from developing. Remember, you need to teach your dog what you want them to do.
Learn how to manage and train an excitable young dog
FAQ
How do I stop my dog from being too excited?
What is the 3-3-3 rule for dog anxiety?
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline outlining the typical adjustment period for a rescue dog after adoption, broken into three phases: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous, 3 weeks of settling into a routine and showing their personality, and 3 months of feeling truly at home, trusting, and bonding with their new family. This rule provides a helpful framework for new owners to set realistic expectations and be patient, as the timeline can vary for each dog.
How do I calm my over hyper dog?
Use calming music, dim lighting, and comfortable bedding. Consider using calming products like pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps. Training Commands: Teach basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “down.” Training sessions can help focus your dog’s energy and reinforce good behavior.
Where to touch a dog to calm?
To relax a dog, pet their chest, the base of their neck, or gently scratch behind their ears and under their chin, using slow, gentle strokes and moderate pressure, while observing their body language for cues of enjoyment. Avoid petting over the head and pay attention to individual dog preferences, as some areas like paws or the tail might be disliked by certain dogs.