German Shepherd puppies are known for being high energy, and sometimes that energy can be overwhelming. If you’re wondering when would German Shepherd puppies calm down, the answer is usually around 12-24 months old. However, every dog is different, and some may take longer to calm down than others.
Read on to learn more about when German Shepherd puppies calm down and what you can do to help your puppy through this phase.
Why Are German Shepherd Puppies So High Energy?
German Shepherd puppies are full of energy for a few reasons. First, they’re growing and developing quickly, so they need lots of exercise to burn off excess energy. Additionally, German Shepherds are bred as working dogs, which means they have a higher natural drive and energy level than most other dog breeds.
While all puppies need plenty of exercise, German Shepherd puppies, in particular, require at least an hour of vigorous exercise every day. If you don’t provide your puppy with enough outlets for their energy, they may become destructive or develop other behavioral problems.
What Age Would German Shepherd Puppies Start to Calm Down?
As German Shepherd puppies grow and mature, they will slowly start to calm down. Most puppies start to settle down at around 12 to 18 months old, although some may take up to 2 or 3 years to fully calm down.
This is when their physical development is complete and they’ve stopped growing in size. Additionally, their brains continue to develop and mature until around 18 to 24 months old, which is why puppies may not fully understand house training or basic obedience commands until that age.
During this time, it’s important to provide your puppy with plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and training. Lack of activity or training can lead to behavioral problems such as chewing, barking, digging, and jumping up on people.
So when would German Shepherd puppies calm down finally? Somewhere between 12 and 24 months old, give or take a few months, depending on the individual dog. In the meantime, you can use different techniques to help your high-energy puppy burn off some steam and stay calm.
What Should I Do to Calm Down My German Shepherd Puppy?
There are several things you can do to help your German Shepherd puppy calm down.
Some puppies may respond to one method more than others, so it’s important to be patient and try a few different techniques until you find what works best for your pup.
Exercise
The most important thing you can do for a high-energy German Shepherd puppy is to provide them with plenty of exercise. A tired puppy is a calm puppy, so make sure to take your pup on at least one long walk or run every day.
If possible, try to do two shorter walks or runs as well as some other form of exercises such as fetch, Frisbee, swimming, or agility training.
Mental Stimulation
In addition to physical exercise, German Shepherd puppies need mental stimulation to stay calm and relaxed, and at some point they can be left alone. Try teaching your pup basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, down, and leave.
You can also give them puzzle toys filled with treats to keep their minds challenged and engaged.
Crate Training
Crate training can be helpful for German Shepherd puppies who are full of energy and need a safe place to calm down. Crate training should be started slowly and gradually so that your pup doesn’t associate the crate with punishment.
Start by placing their food bowl in the crate and letting them eat inside it. Then, over time, start closing the door while they eat and then leaving the room for a few minutes. Finally, you can start crating your pup for short periods of time when you leave the house or when they need a break from all the excitement.
Bottom Line
While an active and playful German Shepherd puppy can be a lot of fun, there comes a time when owners wonder, ” when would German Shepherd puppies calm down?” Most German Shepherd puppies start to calm down when they reach 12 to 24 months old. Till then, you can use the techniques mentioned above to help your high-energy puppy burn off some steam and stay calm.
