Hyperactive Puppies: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Hyperactive Puppies: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
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Key Takeaways

  • Your puppy may be hyperactive if it cannot settle down, even after plenty of exercise and stimulation, showing signs of restlessness.
  • Common triggers include lack of mental stimulation, inconsistent routines, overstimulation, or even dietary factors.
  • Consistent schedules, mental enrichment activities, and teaching calm behaviors can help channel its puppy energy positively.
  • Most hyperactive behavior improves with age, consistency, and the right approach, but knowing when to seek professional help can be crucial to your puppy's development.
  • Bailey's CBD organic and lab-tested products promote relaxation and support your puppy's ability to settle, making training and daily life more manageable.

What Is Hyperactivity in Puppies?

A hyperactive puppy is one that can't seem to "turn off" even when they should be tired. It might have trouble settling down for naps, struggle to focus during training sessions, or seem constantly wound up regardless of how much exercise it has gotten.

Think of it this way: a normal puppy plays hard, then crashes for a nap. A hyperactive puppy plays hard, then continues bouncing around, panting, and looking for the next thing to do, even when its body is tired.

Most puppies naturally start to mellow out as they mature, typically showing more self-control around 12–18 months of age. However, some pups need extra support to learn how to regulate their energy and develop calm, focused behavior patterns.

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Common Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

Physical Symptoms

  • Excessive panting even when it is not hot or after physical activity
  • Inability to settle down or lie still for more than a few minutes
  • Restless movement—pacing, spinning, or constant position changes
  • Difficulty sleeping or frequent wake-ups during nap times
  • Trembling or shaking from overstimulation

Behavioral Indicators

  • Extreme difficulty focusing during training sessions
  • Destructive behavior that continues even after exercise
  • Attention-seeking behaviors like excessive barking, jumping, or mouthing
  • Inability to self-soothe or calm down without intervention
  • Overreacting to normal household sounds or activities
  • Compulsive behaviors like tail chasing or repetitive movements

Common Causes of Hyperactive Behavior

Lack of Mental Stimulation

When puppies don't get enough mental challenges, all that brain power gets channeled into hyperactive behavior. A bored puppy is often a destructive, restless puppy.

Insufficient Physical Exercise

Physical exercise is important. Different breeds have different exercise needs, but most puppies need several short play sessions throughout the day to burn off energy appropriately.

Consistent exercise is a good opportunity for your dog to unwind and shed some excess energy.

Diet & Nutrition Factors

Just like kids with too much sugar, some puppies can be sensitive to certain ingredients in their food. High-sugar treats, artificial colors, or even food allergies can contribute to hyperactive episodes.

Overstimulation & Stress

Puppies can get overwhelmed by too much excitement, too many new experiences at once, or chaotic environments. When they're overstimulated, they often respond with hyperactive behavior rather than calming down.

Breed Tendencies

Some breeds are naturally more energetic and require more intensive management. Working breeds, herding dogs, and terriers (e.g. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Jack Russell Terriers, and Belgian Malinois) often have higher energy levels that can seem hyperactive if their energy is not properly channeled.

Inconsistent Routines

Puppies thrive on predictability. When meal times, potty breaks, and sleep schedules are erratic, it can create restless behavior that looks like hyperactivity.

Management & Training Strategies

Structured Exercise Routines

Rather than one long play session, try several shorter activities throughout the day. This mimics natural energy patterns and keeps your puppy engaged without overdoing it. Examples include a quick game of fetch in the yard, a 10-minute walk, or tug-of-war with a rope toy.

Mental Enrichment Activities

Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, training sessions, and nose work games can tire out a puppy's brain just as effectively as physical exercise. A mentally tired puppy is often more willing to settle and relax.

Teaching Calm Behaviors

Practice commands like 'settle,' 'place,' and 'stay' during calm moments, not when your puppy is already wound up. Reward quiet, relaxed behavior with treats and attention, so your puppy learns that calm gets positive attention too.

Impulse Control Training

Games like 'wait' before meals, 'stay' before going outside, and 'leave it' help puppies develop self-control muscles that transfer to other areas of their behavior.

Creating Structure & Routine

Try to keep meal times, potty breaks, play sessions, and nap times on a predictable schedule. This helps your puppy's body and mind anticipate rest periods and activity periods.

Puppies need about 18–20 hours of sleep daily, which is a lot more sleep than many people realize. 

Make sure your pup has quiet, comfortable spaces where they can rest without interruption. A properly introduced crate can be helpful for hyperactive puppies. It provides a safe, calm space where they can decompress and learn to settle. Never use the crate as punishment, but rather as a cozy retreat.

A consistent daily routine with scheduled rest periods helps hyperactive puppies learn when it's time to be active and when it's time to relax.

Natural Support Options

Dietary Considerations

Feed high-quality puppy food with balanced nutrition and avoid treats with artificial colors, excessive sugars, or ingredients your puppy might be sensitive to. Regular meal times also help stabilize energy levels.

High-quality meals given at regular and consistent intervals can contribute to a routine that helps stabilize energy levels.

Environmental Management

Create calm spaces in your home where stimulation is minimized. Soft lighting, comfortable bedding, and quiet areas can help your puppy learn to wind down.

Natural Calming Support

Hemp-based products that are formulated specifically for puppies can help support relaxation and stress adaptation without interfering with normal development or energy levels. Many pet owners find that CBD may help with hyperactivity by promoting a sense of calm and making it easier for puppies to settle without affecting their natural playfulness.

It’s also important to stick with pet-friendly products that avoid fillers, chemicals, and harmful additives, since these can impact a puppy’s health. Bailey’s CBD is one such option—we offer non-GMO, soy-free, and vegan CBD products made with pets in mind.

When to Seek Professional Help

While most puppy hyperactivity improves with consistent management, some situations benefit from professional guidance:

  • Your puppy's hyperactive behavior is getting worse despite consistent efforts
  • The behavior is interfering with basic training or socialization
  • You're noticing compulsive behaviors or self-harm
  • Your puppy seems unable to sleep or rest normally
  • The hyperactivity is affecting your family's quality of life

Bailey's CBD: The Trusted Choice for Puppy Wellness

When you're dealing with a hyperactive puppy, you want natural support that's safe, gentle, and specifically formulated for growing dogs. Bailey's CBD has hemp-based products that can help promote calmness and support your puppy's developing ability to self-regulate.

What makes Bailey's CBD different is our commitment to quality and safety. Our CBD comes from single-source USDA organic hemp, sourced from one trusted farm to ensure consistent quality. 

We also use subcritical CO₂ extraction, a specialized method that preserves beneficial plant compounds while eliminating harsh solvents. This process is carried out at the only specialized lab of its kind in the United States, located in Boulder, Colorado.

Every Bailey's product is veterinarian-formulated, ensuring that what you're giving your puppy meets the highest standards for pet wellness. Our Department of Health license provides regulatory oversight, giving you confidence in our product’s consistency and safety.

Some of our products that offer support for hyperactive puppies include:

  • Our CBD Oil for Dogs, available in 10mg CBD per ml concentrations with total potencies of 300mg and 600mg, making it easy to adjust dosages as your puppy grows.
  • Calming CBD Yummies and Omega Hemp CBD Soft Chews can be given as treats to promote calmness without causing drowsiness. They’re made with a thoughtful blend of CBD along with natural ingredients like chamomile and valerian root, both known to encourage relaxation and ease stress.

Our Calming CBD Oil can be easily administered as part of your puppy’s food.

Our products are lab-tested and formulated to support your puppy's natural development. Our products are made without harmful additives, ensuring the safety of your puppy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

At what age do puppies typically start to calm down naturally?

Most puppies begin showing more self-control around 6–12 months, with significant improvement by 12–18 months as their brains mature. However, breed, individual personality, and training consistency all play important roles in this timeline.

Can certain foods or treats make hyperactivity worse?

Yes, some puppies are sensitive to artificial colors, high sugar content, or specific ingredients that can increase restless behavior. Poor-quality foods or irregular feeding schedules can also contribute to energy spikes and crashes that look like hyperactivity.

Is it normal for my puppy to be more hyperactive in the evening?

Many puppies experience increased energy in the evening hours. This is often normal, but if your puppy can't settle down for sleep or becomes destructive, it might indicate overtiredness or overstimulation that needs management.

How much exercise does a hyperactive puppy need?

The amount varies by breed and age, but generally, puppies need about 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice daily, plus mental stimulation. However, hyperactive puppies often benefit more from structured activities and mental challenges than just extended physical exercise.

Are Bailey's CBD products safe for my puppies?

Bailey's CBD products are lab-tested and formulated with puppy safety in mind and can help support your pup's ability to calm down. Our veterinarian-backed formulation supports stress adaptation and promotes relaxation without interfering with normal development.


These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

These products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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