Why is my dog so hyper?
You know that moment when your dog suddenly starts ricocheting around the living room like a furry pinball? One second they’re lying peacefully at your feet, the next they’re sprinting around the garden, bouncing off the sofa, and zooming past you at a speed you didn’t know was possible.
All while you stand there, tea in hand, wondering if you’ve accidentally adopted a kangaroo instead of a dog.
If you’ve ever found yourself muttering, “Why is my dog so hyper?”, you’re not alone. Almost every owner faces it at some point. The good news? There’s usually a reason for the madness, and better still, there are ways to channel that energy into something far more manageable (and less sofa-destroying).
So why do dogs get hyper, what does it really mean, and what can you do to help?
Dogs will be dogs
Let’s start with the obvious: dogs are not designed to be calm little ornaments on the sofa. Yes, they’ve undergone generations of domestication. But underneath it all, they’re movers, sniffers, explorers, hunters, chasers.
Asking a dog to be still all day is like asking a child to sit quietly in a waiting room for ten hours without a toy, snack, or screen. Impossible. Eventually, that energy is going to leak out, and usually in the form of laps around the house or a full-body wiggle that sends the contents of your coffee table flying.
The infamous “zoomies”
Those wild bursts of energy actually have a name: Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or FRAPs. Most of us just call them zoomies. They’re completely normal and often hilarious, if a little inconvenient. They tend to happen after a bath (like a chaotic drippy protest against smelling too clean), late at night when you’re trying to wind down, or after your dog has been cooped up.
Zoomies are your dog’s way of letting off steam — one big dramatic outburst before they collapse into an exhausted heap.
So, if your dog suddenly rockets around the living room like they’re training for the London marathon, take a breath. That’s not a sign of a “bad” dog; it’s just part of being a dog.
Not getting enough exercise
Trigger warning — uncomfortable truths incoming.
One of the biggest culprits behind hyper behaviour is simple: your dog just isn’t getting enough exercise. A quick dash to the nearest lamppost and back isn’t enough for most breeds, especially those emerging from puppyhood into the terrible tearaway years. Just like humans, dogs need proper outings where they can stretch their legs, move freely, and burn off that pent-up energy in the fresh air.
But the part many people forget is that a walk isn’t just about tiring out the body; it’s also about working the brain. Every sniff, sound, and sight your dog takes in on a walk is mental stimulation, and that cognitive workout can be just as exhausting as chasing a ball across a field.
A good walk should leave your dog both physically satisfied and mentally content, giving them less reason to bounce off the walls when they get home.
I should add a caveat to this, however. As a general rule for puppies, aim for about five minutes of structured exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. So, for example, a three-month-old pup would manage around 15 minutes at a time, a four-month-old around 20 minutes, and so on, until they’re fully grown.
As your dog matures, they’ll gradually be able to handle longer, more demanding walks. You know your dog best, and every breed or individual will cope differently with exercise. If in doubt, ask your vet.
The brain game
Enrichment doesn’t begin and end with your dog’s walks. Imagine being stuck at home all day with nothing to do — no books, no phone, no TV. You’d go a bit stir-crazy, right? That’s how your dog feels when life gets a little dull.
When they’re bored, dogs are very good at inventing their own entertainment, and their version of fun rarely matches ours!
Chewing your favourite trainers? So satisfying. They can’t get enough of that funky foot smell. Digging up the flower beds? SO funny. Especially when you start yelling and waving your arms about. Barking at every single passer-by? A full-time job. And they just love it when you inadvertently join in my shouting at them.
The trick is to give them the right outlets before they get creative. Training games, sniffing activities, puzzle feeders, or simply scattering a few treats around the house for them to find can do wonders for burning off mental energy.
Breed and age DO matter
Another uncomfortable truth: some dogs are simply wired for high energy.
If you’ve got a young Spaniel, a Collie, or any other working breed, you are living with a professional athlete. These dogs were bred to run, think, and work all day. A 20-minute stroll around the block won’t even touch the sides.
And teenage pups? Well, they’re basically furry toddlers with boundless energy. They don’t “grow out of it” overnight. Adolescence is a stormy period full of energy, independence, and the occasional meltdown. Patience and structure are key here.
The joy factor
Sometimes, though, hyperactivity has nothing to do with lack of exercise or boredom.
Sometimes, your dog is just plain happy. They’re thrilled you’ve come home, they’re excited to see a friend, or they’ve simply had a little surge of joy they can’t keep inside.
And honestly, isn’t that kind of wonderful? If humans expressed happiness with the same level of enthusiasm, the world would be full of adults zooming down the aisles of B&M.
When hyper becomes too much
That said, there is a line between normal bursts of energy and behaviour that feels unrelenting. If your dog simply cannot switch off (they’re constantly jumping, whining, pacing, or unable to relax), then it may be time to look deeper.
Sometimes that constant buzz can be a sign of stress or anxiety, or simply a lack of routine and boundaries. Dogs thrive on structure, and without it, they can end up in a state of perpetual overdrive.
From buzzing to balanced
So, how do you actually help a hyper dog settle?
It starts with balance.
They need physical outlets, but not just endless games of fetch (which, by the way, often creates fitter dogs who can run for longer, rather than calmer dogs, not to mention the damage to their joints).
They need their brains worked as much as their legs, with short training sessions or scent games that make them think.
They need a predictable routine so they know when it’s time to play and when it’s time to rest.
And, perhaps most importantly, they need guidance from you. Calm behaviour should be encouraged and rewarded just as much — if not more — than excitable behaviour.
Encouraging downtime can be just as powerful as burning off energy. Teaching your dog how to settle, rewarding them for choosing to lie quietly, and creating calm spaces in the house all help your dog learn the difference between “go time” and “chill time.”
The bottom line
A hyper dog isn’t a “bad” dog. They’re simply a dog whose needs aren’t being fully met yet.
Once you start to understand what’s driving that energy, whether it’s lack of exercise, boredom, age, or just plain joy, you can put the right plan in place. Life gets a whole lot calmer once your dog can switch off, relax, and be the companion you hoped for when you first brought them home.
And remember — it doesn’t mean stripping away their fun or personality. It means creating balance, where they can enjoy those playful, silly moments without leaving you exhausted in their wake.
Need a hand?
If your dog’s hyper antics are driving you to distraction, I can help. As a dog trainer, I work with owners and dogs that need to learn how to be more chill, giving you practical strategies that work for your dog and your lifestyle.
If you’re ready for a calmer, happier home, get in touch with me today. Together we’ll take that whirlwind of energy and help your dog find their “off switch” — without losing the joy that makes them who they are.
With love,
Sarah-Jane xx