How to Calm an Anxious, Stressed, or Hyperactive Dog

Have you ever noticed that some dogs can’t sit still, while others are comfortable as couch potatoes? Some dogs have anxious energy, and that may have to do with their breed. Certain dog breeds are more likely to experience hyperactivity, stress, and anxiety.

There are many ways to address anxiety, stress, and hyperactivity in dogs. In some cases, it’s enough to make sure they’re getting adequate physical and mental stimulation. But there are other potential solutions.

Natural ways to calm an anxious or stressed dog

If you want to take a natural approach to calm down a hyper dog, there are techniques you can turn to. Here are five of them.

1. Exercise

If your dog is anxious, there’s a good chance they’re not getting enough exercise. How much exercise a dog needs depends on their breed and age, so there’s no exact recommended amount. Try taking your dog on long walks, going hiking with them, or introducing them to dog sports.

And don’t forget about mental exercise. Try introducing your dog to puzzle toys or scent games to stimulate their mind. We’ll discuss more mental exercise ideas later in this article.

2. Massage

Massage can be a great way to help calm an anxious dog. Not only does it feel good and help them relax, but it also provides a sense of physical and emotional closeness between you and your dog. You may even find that massaging your dog also helps you feel less anxious.

3. Calming supplements

There are many types of calming supplements that work in different ways. You can find these supplements in various forms, including powders, gels, capsules, and treats. Most of them contain naturally calming active ingredients, such as melatonin or CBD.

4. Music

Music can calm an anxious dog just as it calms people. For one thing, music helps block out noises from the outside that may stress out your dog. If your dog gets anxious when you leave the house, try turning on classical music for them to listen to while you’re out.

5. Calming clothes

There are calming coats, shirts, and vests that apply pressure to a dog’s body to relax them. Sometimes, these items are described as “thundershirts.” They work like weighted blankets or swaddling for humans.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Look for signs. Take a close look at this list of dog anxiety symptoms to see if your dog’s behavior really is anxiety.

• Be aware of motion sickness. It’s possible your dog seems anxious about car rides because they get motion sickness. Here’s how to help a queasy pup.

• Help them adjust. If your dog makes a fuss every time you get ready to leave them behind, it could be separation anxiety. Learn how to help your pup.

Calming medications to help treat your dog’s anxiety

If you’ve tried these suggestions and your dog is still anxious or stressed, ask your vet what you can give your dog to calm them down. There are many anxiety medications that work for dogs in the same way they help people.

Your vet might recommend an antidepressant medication for your pup to reduce their anxiety. Antidepressants can be prescribed for dogs with severe anxiety. Examples of antidepressant medications your vet may recommend include:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

• Clomipramine

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Sometimes, veterinarians will prescribe sedatives for dogs who experience situational anxiety. This could be anxiety related to thunderstorms, fireworks, or a trip to the vet. Common medications a vet might suggest include Xanax (alprazolam) or gabapentin.

Common causes of anxiety in dogs

There are many causes of anxiety in dogs. Some of the more common reasons include:

• Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)

• Discomfort

• Genetics

• Itching

• Illness

• Lack of exercise

• Lack of socialization as puppies

• Loud sounds, such as thunder or fireworks

• Pain

• Resource guarding

• Separation anxiety

• Territory guarding

How can you calm your dog down if they’re really hyperactive?

As any pet parent with a high-energy pup knows, active dogs need lots of exercise. Walking, jogging, or playing with an active pup is a great place to start. But you may need to use additional strategies, such as mental stimulation, to help calm your hyperactive dog. 

Here are a few ways to put your dog to work and give them some serious mental exercise.

Turn mealtime into a job

Rather than feeding your dog from a bowl, place their food in a treat pouch or a bag that you carry in your pocket. Spend 20 minutes a day practicing training commands. Reinforce their positive behavior with food.

As your pup masters their training, introduce new commands and tricks. This is an exciting way to keep your dog mentally active, and it strengthens the bond between the two of you. 

Train your dog to work for everything they need

Once you’ve ditched the dinner bowl, you can train your dog to work for more than just their food. Require something from your pup every time they want something. Maybe you teach them to sit by the open front door and wait for your command before going outside, for example. This is an easy way to give your dog a job.

Practice activities that involve nose work

A dog’s nose is thousands of times more sensitive than a human’s nose. This means the part of your dog’s brain that analyzes smells is much larger than that part is in the human brain. Scent-smelling exercises give them a lot of mental and physical stimulation.

Put your dog’s nose to work with a game of “sniff it out.” Hide pieces of kibble or dog treats around the house, and encourage your dog to find them by their smell. These activities engage both their mind and body in a fun way.

Make mealtime a puzzle

What do animals in the wild do to keep busy, fit, and healthy? They search for food. Giving your four-legged companion the opportunity to hunt for food gives them a job and engages them mentally and physically.

Puzzle feeders, treat dispensers, and other toys require dogs to figure out how to get their treat or food. 

Start with easier puzzles so your dog doesn’t become frustrated. You want to make these games positive experiences for your pooch.

Consider canine sports

Active dogs often excel at sports. Basic classes for nearly every dog sport are widely available.  Perhaps your pooch could channel their energy into one of the following:

• Agility training

• Diving into water to retrieve toys, or dock diving

• Obedience training

• Flyball, which involves racing through hurdles to launch and then catch a ball

• Disc dog, which involves chasing a flying disc

Search online to find canine sport classes in your area, or ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Signs of anxiety in dogs

General symptoms of anxiety in dogs may include:

• Destroying items they shouldn’t

• Scratching at windows or doors

• Showing signs of depression, such as changes in appetite or energy levels, or hiding

• Barking constantly or whining

• Drooling and panting

• Pacing

• Doing repetitive behaviors, such as licking or chewing

• Being restless

• Pooping or peeing inside your home

Discuss any behaviors that could be symptoms of anxiety or a medical issue with your veterinarian. It might be helpful to have your dog evaluated for an anxiety disorder, which can be treated with behavioral interventions and medication.

Are some dog breeds more hyperactive or anxious than others?

Some dog breeds have a lot of energy. They may be more likely to show signs of anxiety. Other dogs, which are bred for specific jobs, may become anxious or hyperactive if they don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation. Bear in mind that breed is only one indicator, and it really comes down to the individual dog.

Below are some of the most active dog breeds by group.

Herding breeds

Herding dogs are energetic by nature. These breeds instinctively seek to herd people and other animals. Some dogs in this category are Australian shepherds, collies, sheepdogs, and heelers.

Sighthounds

Also known as gazehounds, these dogs are bred to hunt and chase prey. Because they don’t rely on scent like other hound breeds, these dogs use speed and agility to keep up with their targets. They are high-speed, short-distance runners who may not respond to humans when chasing prey. Therefore, they can be tough to train. Greyhounds, wolfhounds, and whippets are in this group.

Sporting dogs

Sporting breeds tend to be intelligent and alert companions. These dogs were bred to work with hunters, and they naturally love outdoor field activities. Among the best-known sporting breeds are spaniels, pointers, retrievers, and setters.

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Written by:

Lauren Lee, BA, MA

Lauren Lee, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in animal care and pet health content. Since she was a young child, her passions have been writing and anything to do with animals.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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