What should I do to get my German Shepherd puppy to stop jumping?
German Shepherd puppies are not the calmest of creatures. They are known for being high energy, excitable and full of life. While, in the beginning, you may find their excitement and playful nature endearing, there may come a time when you are longing for a calmer dog. So when German Shepherd puppies slow down?
The answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. Every dog is different and will mature at different rates. Some German Shepherds will start to calm down when they are around 6 months old, while others may not start to show signs of calming down until they are a year or older.
Read on to learn more about when German Shepherd puppies calm down and what you can do to help your pup reach a more relaxed state.
When German Shepherd Puppies Slow Down?
Around the age of 2 to 3 years, German Shepherds will begin to show signs of becoming calmer. This will remain the case as they continue to mature.
Then, around the age of seven or eight, you may begin to notice noticeable changes in your GSD’s behavior. Even though they won’t be as hyperactive as they were before, the dogs will still be busy. In addition to this, they will become more satisfied and restful.
What Should I Do to Get My German Shepherd to Slow Down?
While there isn’t any permanent way to make your German Shepherd calm down, there are some things you can do to help encourage a more relaxed state. Here are some tips:
Stay Calm
A dog that has a good amount of unreleased energy is known as a hyper GSD. It’s possible that your dog will become even more upset if you become anxious. This is because the anxious energy that brings about anxiety is also the anxious energy that brings about hyper behavior.
Since German Shepherds are sensitive dogs that are able to understand the feelings of their owners, if you stay relaxed around him, he will realize that he does not need to be overly excited.
German Shepherds take some time to imitate the behavior of their owners, but over time, they become consistent with their masters’ mental states.
Do Not Reward Your Puppy
Since German Shepherd puppies are both adorable and easy to care for, their owners often unintentionally train them to be hyperactive. The probability is high that your dog will show signs of excitement upon your return home.
Your puppy may also jump upon you, and you’ll pet him. This interaction satisfies the dog’s need to be hyperactive and hence reinforces the behavior.
In addition, when the young dog matures, you will need to consider the consequences of owning a large dog that has been trained to be overly active.
When it comes to establishing boundaries, your German Shepherd puppy should be treated like a fully developed big dog. When the dog gets overly excited, you should reduce the number of treats you give him as a reward. This is true regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or a grownup.
Let Your GSD Get Tired
When your German Shepherd is constantly hyperactive, there are two possible reasons, including:
- You didn’t make him exercise.
- It was too late when he got neutered.
In either situation, it would not be your puppy’s choice to let him exercise in a public place. If you have a backyard, you can just let the German Shepherd Dog play around there to release at least part of the pent-up energy that he has, and then you can bring him on a walk to burn off the rest of his excess energy.
Nevertheless, if you keep the German Shepherd in an apartment and don’t exercise him enough, it might be difficult to get him to settle down in a way that is safe. Look into the possibility of purchasing him a dog toy that requires him to use his muscles and then sit quietly next to him as he plays with the object.
Wrapping Up
So, when do German Shepherd slow down? German Shepherds will reach full maturity around the age of two to three years old, when they will start to show signs of becoming calmer.
However, by doing things such as staying calm, not rewarding your pup for hyperactive behavior, and letting him get tired through exercise, you can encourage a more relaxed state in your GSD at any age.
