A dog that barks constantly, runs around like a tarantula, or is very insistent in demanding attention from its owner can be extremely stressful. Affected owners should therefore not only be very interested in the causes of their four-legged friend’s hyperactivity, but above all ask themselves what they can do about it.
In the following you will find out what is important when dealing with hyperactive dogs and how the behavior of the animals can be brought under control.
Key facts at a glance
- Dealing with hyperactive dogs is extremely exhausting and often gets on the nerves of the owners concerned.
- In addition to genetic predisposition, poor posture and upbringing are possible triggers for hyperactivity.
- Hyperactive dogs in particular need to be kept busy while also learning to switch off regularly.
- Drug treatment of hyperactivity should only be considered in exceptional cases.
Possible reasons for hyperactivity in dogs
If a dog is hyperactive, it can have very different reasons. Before dealing with the restless four-legged friend correctly, it is therefore necessary to take a look at the causes of the behavior. In particular, the following factors can lead to hyperactivity in dogs, or at least promote it:
- genetic predisposition
- errors in upbringing
- physical causes
- Too little employment
- Diet-related triggers
Hyperactivity and the genes of the dog
The genetic make-up plays a not inconsiderable role in the character of your dog. On the one hand, the stress of the pregnant bitch can be transferred to the unborn puppies. On the other hand, with certain breeds in breeding, more emphasis is placed on the animals being as lively as possible.
Hyperactive dogs due to mistakes in training
In addition to corresponding hereditary factors, errors in training can also lead to a dog becoming hyperactive. Because just like humans, puppies need to learn to focus and be patient. If they are not taught this, they will suffer from constant stress and sensory overload as adult animals.
Physical causes of hyperactivity in dogs
It is very possible for a hyperactive dog to suffer from physical ailments. Problems such as tinnitus, which literally drives the four-legged friend insane and makes it practically impossible to concentrate over a longer period of time, come into question here.
Too little exercise leads to a hyperactive dog
To meet a dog’s needs, food and the opportunity to regularly relieve himself are not enough. In addition, it is essential to challenge your four-legged friend both mentally and physically with appropriate activities. Otherwise, the bored dog can quickly turn into a hyperactive one.
Hyperactivity in dogs due to improper diet
Even if it seems a bit far-fetched at first glance, hyperactivity in dogs can also be the result of a wrong diet. For example, if your four-legged friend’s food contains mainly inferior protein sources, this can lead to the toxic metabolic waste product ammonia getting into the dog’s brain and triggering behavioral problems there.
Dealing with hyperactive dogs requires patience
A hyperactive dog can sometimes drive its owners to the brink of despair. To make matters worse, the behavior of the animal cannot simply be stopped from one day to the next.
For this reason, affected owners need a lot of patience when dealing with their hyperactive dog and the willingness to actively do something about it. Of course, the genes of the animal cannot be influenced. However, there are some things you can do to gradually manage your dog’s hyperactivity.
The right mixture of enough species-appropriate activity and targeted switch-off training proves to be particularly helpful. Because even if your four-legged friend should of course be sufficiently challenged, it is of little use in dealing with a hyperactive dog if he does not learn that he does not have to be entertained by his owner all day long.
Also ensure clear structures and compliance with the rules you have set. This gives the four-legged friend security and also helps to counteract hyperactivity. Additionally, paying more attention to the quality of the feed can help eliminate nutritional factors in the strenuous behavior.
Medication as a last resort for hyperactivity in dogs
Considering how tiring managing hyperactive dogs can be and how much work it takes to make permanent behavior changes, medication to treat hyperactivity certainly sounds enticing.
Nevertheless, medication should not be the first choice, but should only be used when nothing else helps. Because most hyperactive dogs are not sick at all. They just adapt their behavior to their environment.
If you want to change something in the behavior of your four-legged friend in the long term, changing your own behavior when dealing with hyperactive dogs usually proves to be the most promising way.