Wow! If it isn’t my favourite human ever! Excuse me a moment while I bark excitedly and run round in circles and wag my tail faster than you ever thought possible because I’M JUST SO EXCITED.
What can I say? I’m one excitable pup! From the moment you walk through the door to the thrill of heading out for a walk, there’s so much to get my tail wagging.
But of course, all that excitement can sometimes be a little bit too chaotic, and if I’m not accidentally breaking your favourite teapot then I might be working myself into a state where I can’t settle down. So, let’s take a moment to understand why dogs get so excited and how you can help us to keep our cool when we get a little hyped up!
Whether you’ve been gone ten minutes or a week, when you walk through that front door it’s like having all my dreams come true. I’ve missed you and seeing you again makes everything ten times better!
Our humans smell like all sorts of exciting things from the outside world, and I get to hear about your adventures. Maybe not verbally, but us dogs have such a strong sense of smell that you’re secretly telling me where you’ve been with every scent.
And I’m not just excited because I’m hungry or want to go outside, either. I’m genuinely thrilled to see my best friend!
Hearing the word “walkies” or seeing you grab my lead can send me over the moon! After all, who doesn’t love a walk? They’re full of amazing smells, new places to explore, and maybe even some opportunities to socialise with other dogs.
For us excited dogs, it’s like an all-you-can-sniff buffet out there.
New people means new friends, new scents, and lots of potential for petting and treats. And that means one delighted pup!
My excitement is a combination of curiosity and the joy of having more humans around to shower me with attention. Admittedly, sometimes I can get a little too excited, jumping up and barking to show just how happy I am to meet them.
Whether it’s on a walk or at the park, meeting strangers can be super exciting for me. I’m curious about everyone and everything—and who knows, maybe they want to be one of my many, many best friends! Because, let me tell you, a dog can never have too many.
Playtime is the best time! Whether we’re playing fetch or simply running around together, my play sessions are when I get to let loose and have fun.
That said, it can be a little too easy to get carried away occasionally. The thrill of chasing a ball or wrestling with my favourite toy can sometimes make for an overexcited dog!
Some dogs can get nervous or stressed around car travel, but not me. The car means we’re going somewhere fun—maybe to the park, the beach, or even just for a ride to explore new sights and smells!
The excitement of the journey is almost as good as the destination itself. I might pace, bark, or even spin in circles because I’m so excited to see where we’re headed.
Now then, it’s all very well recognizing the situations that make us pooches so excited, but sometimes I can get too exuberant for my own good! How am I supposed to settle down or focus on my training when there’s just so much going on?!
Well, here are some tips you can use to help us excited dogs calm down:
Help me balance my energy by mixing up our activities. Along with exciting walks and playtime, include some lower-intensity exercises too. This can be things like gentle strolls or scent games—anything that keeps my mind engaged but doesn’t get me too worked up.
Remember, it’s important to make sure I have plenty of opportunities for mental stimulation, like puzzle toys or brain games, and a safe, quiet place to rest and recharge.
Before we go for a walk or ride in the car, help me practice being calm. For example, ask me to sit and wait before putting on my leash or getting into the car. This can help us dogs to learn that being calm leads to good things, and I’m more likely to keep my excitement in check.
It’s easy to get caught up in our behaviour when us excited dogs are trying to get your attention but it’s best not to encourage this behaviour too much. Instead, reward us when we’re calm. A gentle stroke or calm praise when I’m sitting quietly goes a long way in helping me understand that being calm is a good thing.
In fact, the more you catch me being calm, the better I’ll get at it!
Sometimes, what looks like excitement might actually be stress or anxiety, especially in situations like meeting strangers or riding in the car. If I seem a little wound up, there’s a possibility that it’s because I’m feeling overwhelmed.
If you think I might be anxious, consider using ADAPTIL Calm to spread natural appeasing messages around the home. This is a great solution for helping me deal with life’s many stressful situations and it’s so easy to use—simply plug the diffuser in in the room where I spend most of my time and let it take effect!
Alternatively, ADAPTIL Transport can also be helpful, especially if us dogs are struggling with car travel. ADAPTIL Transport works much like ADAPTIL Calm except that you apply it directly to our blankets or bedding ahead of any long car journeys. Each application lasts up to 5 hours but be sure to leave 15 minutes before letting me access any areas you’ve sprayed.
Consistency helps me understand what’s expected of me. Whether it’s how you greet me when you come home or the way we approach walk time, keeping things consistent helps me stay calm and know what to expect.
This also includes being calm and consistent yourself. If you’re calm, it’s easier for me to stay calm too!
If you notice that I’m struggling to calm down even with these tips, it might be a good idea to talk to the vet or a qualified animal behaviourist. They can check for any underlying health issues and give more personalized advice.
What matters most is that, together, we can make sure my excitement stays positive and doesn’t become overwhelming. After all, a happy, balanced dog is a healthy dog—and it’s never too late to learn new tricks that help me stay calm and collected!
For more information on caring for overexcited dogs, or for advice on ADAPTIL Calm and all our other products, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, you can also join our online community to stay up to date with all the latest info and guides from our experts.