Labrador Retrievers have a zest for life. Because of this, knowing how to calm down a Labrador is one of the questions that most Lab parents ask themselves.
So, in this article, we will give you some helpful tips on how to calm down your Labrador when your dog gets too worked up or overstimulated.
Why Is My Labrador Hyper?
If you have been asking “Why is my Lab so hyper?”, the answer is simple: it is in their genes to be active.
Labrador retrievers used to track, hunt, and swim all day long, so they are naturally full of energy.
This is especially true when it is time to play or exercise.
During these times, you may notice that they are excited and energetic. However, it is also important to remember that lack of exercise can be a huge reason why your Labrador could act hyper most of the time.
If your Labrador does not burn their energy through playtime or exercise, they will find other ways to act up. They may start jumping on you, break your belongings, or chew furniture.
Another potential reason why your Labrador puppy is so hyper is that they are bored.
Labradors are smart dogs that need something to do to stimulate their minds. If they lie around all day, they will feel frustrated and may become hyper.
Your puppy may be extremely energetic when they are 8-12 months old. You may have a “bouncy” puppy while they are 5 months, but they will definitely be at their peak when they are 8-12 months old.
Keep in mind that an energetic puppy is normal. Think about them as kids―they just want to play and have a good time.
So, if your puppy is excitable, it is completely normal for them to be “hyper”.
There are other possible reasons as well why your Labrador Retriever could be hyper, which you may want to check here.
So, When Do Labs Calm Down?
If your young Labrador is between 7 to 8 months old, you may be one of the great many dog parents that scour the Web for answers to the question “When do Labs calm down?”.
And this is not just because they are bouncy. As we mentioned earlier, Labs that are between 8 months old and 1 year old are at the peak of their exuberant behavior.
So, at what age exactly do Labradors calm down?
Well, most Labradors start to be a lot calmer when they are between 24-36 months old. However, that means that they will technically no longer be a puppy at that point.
It makes a lot of sense, though. Most Labradors are fully grown by the time they are 18-20 months old, which means they are an adult. So, when they are an adult, they will calm down.
However, it can also vary since every dog is different, but you will notice your Lab relaxing more often when they are almost 2 years old.
Does It Help That I Get Angry When My Lab Becomes So Hyper?
Absolutely not. Angry noises and behavior only serve to excite and stimulate your dog until they eventually become less controllable in their excitement.
So, it is important that you learn how to calm down a hyper dog like your Labrador Retriever without getting mad yourself.
How to Calm Down a Hyper Labrador?
Your pup will naturally get calmer as they age, especially with proper care and exercise.
However, there are also steps you can take to help calm down your hyper Labrador Retriever even before then. Keep in mind that while these tricks may not be a permanent solution, they are an excellent way to calm down an overexcited Lab.
First, you need to make sure that your Lab gets enough exercise every day. For Labrador puppies, you can have them go on exercise twice a day for 5 minutes for each month of their age.
For example, a 4-month-old puppy can exercise 2 times a day for 20 minutes each time. If your puppy looks like they still have energy, you can let them have extra playtime.
Just make sure to give them enough rest and nutrition so that they do not get exhausted.
For adult Labs, they can exercise for 1 1/2 hours a day. However, this may also depend on your dog’s personality.
For instance, relaxed Labradors may be fine with 1 hour of exercise. However, if your Labrador is still an energetic adult, they might need as much as 2 hours of exercise.
If you do not have enough time for your hyper Labrador, you can opt for 1 hour of high-impact exercise. You can go for a run, swim, or any other high-impact activity. Be sure you do not push your Labrador past their limits.
On the other hand, the amount of exercise that senior dogs should have will depend on their health. In general, though, most senior Labradors can exercise for 30-45 minutes. Just try to make sure that it is nothing strenuous. Stick to leisurely walks and jogs.
While you never want to make your Labrador feel bored, you may not be able to be with them 24/7.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can keep your Lab entertained. You can leave plenty of toys around your house so they can play with it whenever they want. You can also get puzzles for dogs to exercise their brains.
Teach Your Dog Manners
It would also be good to teach your dog manners. This will greatly help you make them calmer when they are too hyper.
You need to teach your dog basic commands, especially when they are puppies. It will help them learn how to listen to you without thinking.
You also need to be very consistent with their training. Even if they look like they have mastered sitting on command by 5 months old, you need to regularly train them to make sure they will not forget.
Another important thing to remember is to learn what calms your dog down.
Some dogs enjoy being wrapped around in a blanket if they seem anxious and hyper. Other dogs may need to jog to get rid of their anxious energy.
Do not give in to your dog’s hyper behavior. Labs are smart―if they realize that you give them treats whenever they stop jumping up and down, they will jump again to see if you will give them more treats.
Therefore, you need to make sure you only reward them for good behavior, not whenever they do bad behavior.
To Conclude
It is perfectly normal for Labradors to be hyper sometimes, especially when they are young.
Most Labradors will calm down when they are about 2 to 3 years old, but there are other ways you can calm down your Labrador even before they reach this age.
Just make sure to follow the suggestions we have enumerated to know how to calm down your Labrador.
