How to Stop a Puppy From Getting too Excited: Training a High-Energy Pup

For this Omaha puppy training session we worked with Gracie, a ten-month-old French Bulldog puppy. Her guardian set up this puppy training session to go over how to stop a puppy from getting too excited. We also went over how to stop puppy barking, biting, and what to do when a puppy is pulling on the leash.

How to Teach a Puppy to Calm Down

To say that Gracie was excited would be a bit of an understatement. She jumped up, barked, and ran about as she had real difficulty controlling herself.

I sat down with Gracie and her guardian to discuss the problems she wanted to work on. The priority was to teach a puppy to calm down, stop barking, stop biting and some leash training.

When do French Bulldogs Calm Down?

People know French Bulldogs for their playful and sometimes rambunctious nature, especially during their puppy years. Up until around 18 months, they tend to be full of energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for just about everything.

As they grow into adulthood, usually between 18 months and 2 years, they start to calm down. They also adopt a more relaxed and balanced attitude.

Even as they grow up, Frenchies keep their fun-loving nature. They still enjoy playing and interacting with their owners and other dogs.

It’s important to remember that every dog is unique. Some French Bulldogs may calm down sooner, while others may take longer. Regular training and early socialization can help manage their energy levels. This also helps shape a good temperament.

As they get older, most French Bulldogs become more relaxed. They often enjoy quiet times and lots of cuddles with their families. With the right guidance and care, Frenchies grow into affectionate, playful companions who bring joy at every stage of life.

How to Stop a Puppy From Getting too Excited

I hoped Gracie would calm down enough to work with her. After about ten minutes, it was clear we needed to drain her excess energy. Only then could we effectively do any puppy training.

I strapped on a pair of roller blades and spent 20 minutes dog skiing with Gracie to burn excess puppy energy. Once she stopped pulling on the harness, we finished our last lap and headed back to her home. Once inside, Gracie’s behavior was much better.

I made several suggestions to help the puppy see herself as a follower. It’s common for puppies to test their guardians. They want to learn the rules, boundaries, and limits.

I emphasized that it is important for her guardian to correct or reward the puppy within 3 seconds. This helps the puppy understand what her guardian means. I also showed her how to pet Gracie with a purpose and use passive training to reward her for desired actions and behaviors.

Passive training is an easy way to shape a dog’s behavior. It rewards good actions as they happen naturally. Instead of just using training sessions or treats, passive training gives attention right after a dog shows good behavior. This can be petting or praise.

For example, if a dog sits quietly or comes over on its own, rewarding that moment helps build good habits. Timing is crucial; you should give rewards within a few seconds to create a clear connection.

The approach also highlights the need to avoid encouraging unwanted behaviors. This includes actions like jumping up or barking. Giving attention at the wrong time can reinforce these behaviors. Over time, dogs start displaying these positive behaviors on their own, knowing that their owners will acknowledge them.

Passive training is simple to add to your daily routine. It helps create a stronger bond between you and your dog. This training also supports the growth of a well-mannered and confident pet.

Gracie responded really well to the positive puppy training techniques and exercises. This is why I only use positive dog training. I want the puppy to know what it is the humans do and don’t want while rewarding it for desired actions and behaviors. This way, the human and dog are all on the same page.

In this in-home puppy training session, we went over a variety of helpful dog behavior tips. To help the guardians remember everything, we made a Roadmap to Success video. You can check it out below.