Wondering When Puppies Calm Down? Watch as One Owner Proves They Really Do Settle
Like most puppy owners, you’d probably agree that raising a puppy isn’t always all rainbows and sunshine. Sure, we absolutely adore these little bundles of fur, but let’s be honest—sometimes they can be a real handful! The hyper puppy stage—complete with chewing, biting, lunging, endless chasing, non-stop barking, and all those rebellious antics—can leave you wondering if you’ve got the world’s most mischievous pup. If that sounds familiar, you’re probably asking yourself the big question: when do puppies calm down?
Well, one puppy owner has proved that puppies eventually become easier to handle, and we’re pretty sure her assurance will brighten your day.
She shared a video on her TikTok account @madisonmeal showing how things were before her Bernese Mountain dog eventually settled down. The rambunctious, sweet-faced pup would constantly nip and jump at her toddler, and going by the clips, it’s safe to assume the two didn’t have a peaceful relationship going on.
Thankfully, time changed everything, as her puppy started acting calmer around her toddler. Today, the two get along pretty well, a stark contrast to how chaotic their relationship was in the beginning.
“Here to say the puppy stage is worth it!” the owner hilariously wrote in the caption.
Watch the video below:
@madisonmealy HERE TO SAY THE PUPPY STAGE IS WORTH IS ✊🏼🤧🫶🏼
♬ you look like you love me – Ella Langley & Riley Green
When Do Puppies Calm Down? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Raising a puppy is anything but easy.
It takes tons of patience and commitment to manage these energetic furry family members, who are incredibly talented in testing our patience and boundaries. If you’re frustrated with how much your puppy drives you nuts, you’re not alone. It’s a phase that almost all puppy owners witness. The good news is, there’s hope!
One thing you need to keep in mind is that this chaotic puppy phase is a normal part of puppy development. You see, your young four-legged housemate is experiencing the world for the first time, and so their curiosity and energy are at their peak. And as they explore to satisfy their natural curiosity, they’ll not think twice about crossing your boundaries.
The Teenage Phase
This phase is what experts call the teenage phase. It generally begins when your puppy hits six months old.
“Has your puppy hit the teenage phase yet? Often it starts around 6 months, dogs go through what looks like adolescence in humans: Difficulty with impulse control, easily distracted, and regression in previously learned skills. We often think, “My dog is being an a$$hole,” call them “hard-headed” or “defiant,” but in reality, your dog is not doing it on purpose,” explains puppy expert Katherine Davidson of Dog Inspired.
“Our puppies are going through BIG changes! Their brains are being rewired….hormones are all over the place, they are bigger and can reach new spaces that they never knew were there, and they have more energy and endurance.”
When do puppies start to calm down?
Generally, most puppies become calmer between 12 and 18 months of age. According to the American Kennel Club, a majority of puppies attain emotional and physical maturity at this age, which plays a big role in them settling down.
However, this doesn’t apply to all dogs. Depending on a few factors — the most common being the dog’s breed and size — some dogs may become calmer when they’re 2-3 years of age.
It takes longer for large dogs to reach physical & emotional maturity compared to smaller dogs. This means that unlike most small dogs, who may calm down when they’re between 12-18 months old, it might take longer for a large dog — for instance, a Saint Bernard pup — to outgrow their puppy stage.
“Some dogs seem to “calm down” around 1.5 yrs old, most around 2 years old. And if you’re unlucky as I was, your dog might go through it till about three years old,” puppy expert Katherine says.
When it comes to breed, dog breeds that naturally have high energy levels — for example, herding and working dogs like the Siberian Husky, Border Collie, and Blue Heeler — take longer before they calm down. In other words, a less active dog like the English Bulldog will show signs of calming down sooner than an active dog like the German Shepherd.
“My GSD was a maniac at 2, by 3 he was still a maniac…but at least he learned to chill out sometimes,” wrote user @kamelizann in a Reddit discussion on when do puppies start calming down.
“2 years was the exact mark when my last dog turned from a raging lunatic puppy into a calm and well-behaved dog. She was a Labrador/Dalmatian mix and was utterly wild during her puppy era. Later on, she was still an energetic and excited dog, but it was just different,” another user, @agitated_signature62, commented.
3 Effective Tips to Manage Your Hyper Puppy
Now that you have a picture of how long it may take before your pup fully settles down, here are a few tips that can help you manage the frustrating puppy stage:
1. Ensure You Meet their Daily Exercise Needs
Since puppies have boundless energy, they need a constructive outlet to channel this energy. It’s important to meet your puppy’s exercise requirement — whether through a daily walk or games of fetch — as doing so will reduce the chances of them constantly acting erratic to get rid of the pent-up energy.
Just remember not to engage your puppy in vigorous exercises and long walks since their joints & bones are still developing.
“Your dog’s age is a principal determiner of what its exercise routine should look like. A puppy, for instance, has high energy levels, which means they will require multiple 10-15 minutes short bursts of activity daily. But do note: long, consistent exercise sessions aren’t good for the pup’s developing joints. So it helps to take it slow with the play session,” pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka advises.
2. Don’t Ignore Mental Stimulation
A mentally stimulated puppy is a calmer puppy. Similar to physical activity, mental stimulation allows your puppy to release any pent-up energy and keeps their mind preoccupied, lowering their chances of engaging in destructive, boredom-triggered behaviors.
So, it’s a good idea to stock up on those snuffle mats and interactive puzzle toys; your little furry friend needs that mental enrichment to remain in their best behavior!
3. Consistent Obedience Training
Training is an essential aspect of dealing with unwanted puppy behavior. Puppies require consistent obedience training early on so they’re aware of how and how not to behave. Therefore, be sure you stay consistent in training your puppy so they can fully grasp and respond to your obedience commands. If you suspect your furry friend has underlying behavioral issues, consider consulting a professional.
4. Crate Training
Crate training presents the perfect opportunity for your puppy to remain settled for the better part of the day instead of causing chaos. Ensure the crate has their favorite toys and blanket to make it easier for them to willingly spend some chill time in there.
When Do Puppies Calm Down FAQs
When do puppies stop biting and nipping?
Generally, most puppies stop acting naughty between 12-18 months. However, your puppy’s breed greatly determines how long it will take before they calm down.
When do puppies calm down and stop biting?
As explained earlier, this varies from one dog breed to another. While puppies generally calm down when they’re between 12-18 months old, it can take longer for other dog breeds.
When do Lab puppies calm down?
Since Labradors are naturally active dogs, it can take between 2-3 years for a labrador puppy to fully settle down.
“Labs do take a while to mature and settle down from that overly enthusiastic puppy stage. In my experience (I am on my 5th Lab)….it can be anywhere from 2-3 years,” shared user @LilyWai on The Labrador Forum.
When do Havanese puppies calm down?
Havanese puppies begin to settle down when they’re anywhere between 12- 18 months old.
When do golden retriever puppies calm down?
Like other active dog breeds with historical backgrounds as working dogs, it may generally take 2-3 years for a Golden Retriever puppy to settle down.
“My girl had a sudden maturity jump at age 2. It was like a switch was flipped. All of a sudden, she was listening to her recall commands and walking around the dog park, rather than independently checking everything out. Now she has that perfect golden attitude where she’s high-energy at the pack, relaxed on walks, and chill at home,” commented user @Mijoidai in a Reddit discussion on what age Golden Retrievers calm down.
When do Labradoodle puppies calm down?
It can take 2-3 years for a Labradoodle puppy to fully settle down.
When do German Shepherd puppies calm down?
It can take around 2-3 years for a German Shepherd puppy to settle down.
When do Dachshund puppies calm down?
Generally, Dachshund puppies begin to calm down when they’re around 12-18 months old.
When do Pug puppies calm down?
Experts say Pug puppies start calming down when they are 1-2 years of age
When do Frenchie puppies calm down? / When do French Bulldog puppies calm down?
French Bulldog puppies become calmer when they’re between 1 and 2 years old.
When do Doberman puppies calm down?
Like most active breeds, Doberman puppies generally start calming down when they’re 2-3 years old.
When do Cane Corso puppies calm down?
Like most large, active dog breeds, Cane Corso puppies generally start calming down when they’re 2-3 years of age.
When do Cockapoo puppies calm down?
Generally, Cockapoo puppies begin to calm down when they’re 12-18 months old.
When do Chihuahua puppies calm down?
Generally, Chihuahua puppies begin to calm down when they’re 1-2 years old.
When do Bulldog puppies calm down?
Generally, Bulldogs start calming down when they’re between 1-2 years old.
When do Cavalier puppies calm down?
Generally, Cavalier puppies begin to calm down when they’re 1-2 years of age.
When do Cocker spaniel puppies calm down?
Like other active breeds, Cocker Spaniel puppies generally start showing calm behavior when they are 2-3 years old.
When do Cavapoo puppies calm down?
Cavapoo puppies start to mellow out when they’re 1-2 years old.
When do Boxer puppies calm down?
Generally, Boxer puppies begin to calm down when they are around 2-3 years old.
When do Border Collie puppies calm down?
Like other active breeds, Border Collie puppies generally calm down when they’re 2-3 years old.
When do Blue Heeler puppies calm down?
Like most active dog breeds, Blue Heeler puppies generally calm down when they’re 2-3 years old.
When do Basset Hound puppies calm down?
Basset Hound puppies generally calm down when they’re 2-3 years old.
When do Bernedoodle puppies calm down?
Like most large dogs, Bernedoodle puppies start settling down when they are 2-3 years old.
When do Beagle puppies calm down?
Generally, Beagle puppies — like most active breeds — begin to calm down around 2-3 years old.
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