Puppies are little bundles of energy, aren’t they? Who knows where they find the energy to run around for so long – they never stop! And, while that’s great for the first couple of weeks, after a while you’ll be begging your puppy to finally settle down and grow into a normal dog.
Well, puppies go through phases, much like children. Yes, they won’t answer you back, but they will drive you crazy until they’re a little more grown. However, you’ll be pleased to know that, for dogs, it’s not so long lived. While for human children you’re stuck for 20 years, for puppies it’s only around 20 months (so, count your blessings…).
So, here are some ways that you can help settle your puppy down and grab yourself a few hours peace:
The Older The Puppy, The Calmer The Puppy
As we said, age plays a major role in your puppy’s energy levels and, unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about that. The way that you respond to your puppy’s energy, however, can have a major impact on their behaviour.
It’s important that you don’t get annoyed with your puppy’s energy. Remember, it’s natural for them to be raring to go, and your negative response could cause them to feel anxious and unsettled.
So, we’re not saying you should let your puppy run amok, but make sure you’re supporting and nurturing towards them, and ultimately help them settle into the home.
Nurture Their Nature
One of the easiest ways to cast an air of calmness over your puppy is to be attentive to their needs. When your puppy is running around, it’s a sign that they’re happy and want to play with you. While that’s not always possible, it is possible for you to give them some sort of attention, which will help them feel settled. Remember, you don’t want them to get bored.
When your puppy starts to run wild, try to bring them over to you and settle them down. It’s important to make sure that they’re not ruling your life, and by directing your puppy’s play over to you, you’re encouraging them to associate attention with a relaxed state.
By encouraging your puppy to be calm, they’ll eventually adopt this state naturally, as they associate it with your love and affection.
Natural Calming Methods
Although there’s no sure fire way to calm your young puppy down, here are some ways that you can help them burn a little energy:
- Long walks are a convenient way to burn some of your puppy’s excess energy, and they’re not all that draining for you. A quick, 30 minute walk before or after work will be significantly more tiring for your puppy and hopefully send them to sleep for a while.
- Inviting other dogs over for play dates is also a good idea, as they’ll be able to occupy one another and you and the other dog’s owner can pour yourself a glass!
- If your puppy is home alone for long periods of time, doggy daycare is a good option to keep them busy throughout the day. Head over to the main Tailster site for more information on our pet walking and boarding services.