Walk in and grab their favorite ball or toy then ask for a simple behavior like sit or look at me. Once they do, throw the toy/ball and have some simple fun. Again, those few moments of distraction/redirection can help reset your dog's brain. Use a frozen treat or another treat.
So, what makes a dog so darned excited when we come back home? It's probable that pups have not learned to accept voluntary detachment. Pups cannot think in abstract concepts like humans and therefore, their emotions are more extreme. Happy when we are around and sad when we are not.
Associate the Doorbell with Treats
Start by getting another family member or friend to ring the doorbell or knock on the door and immediately feed your furry friend a treat. If your dog starts to bark, simply ignore your pup. Once your pup is quiet, try again.
When do puppies start to calm down? Most puppies start to calm down as they approach their maturity age, which is usually around 12 months, but for larger breeds it can be more likely to occur between 18 months and 2 years.
Start with a two- to three-second settle and work up to five minutes or so. For dogs under six months of age, a two- to three-minute settle is long enough. For longer settles, praise or treat (don't click) several times during the settle, but have the dog maintain the settle.
At homecomings, ignore your dog until she settles down (this may take 10 to 15 minutes). Your dog should soon learn that the faster she settles, the sooner she will get your attention.
Dogs don't shake hands like people do, they use their nose to say hello. So, hold your hand in a fist so they can approach and sniff if they choose. Don't thrust your hand at the dog. They can smell you just fine from a distance, and the sudden movement could startle them.
If your dog does not appear to get upset after you have left, then you can continue to say goodbye to them when you leave. If you have determined that your dog does get upset in your absence, it is best to seek professional help right away.
Restless sleep is most commonly seen in puppies and younger dogs, especially after a big change or if sleeping arrangements are in a hot room. However, there can be more serious medical conditions that may be affecting your dog's sleep. We need to consider canine dementia, pain, or anxiety.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing. Interested in adding a new puppy to your family?
Growth stage: By one year
By the time they're one year old, dogs should be making progress in learning of all the polite behaviors they will need for the rest of their lives.
Put him on a dog leash and reward him for any and all appropriate behavior when you answer the door. Put him in a dog crate when you know someone is coming over or before answering the door. Put him outside in a fenced yard or safe, enclosed area.
A Matter of Seeking Attention/Engagement
If your puppy is normally calm in your presence and starts acting hyper when your husband comes home, he or she may misbehave as a way to get some attention.
An illness or painful condition can increase dog anxiety. A history of limited social contact, neglect, and confinement may cause both fear based and separation anxiety. This can also occur in dogs that have spent time in a shelter. Some dogs will experience General Anxiety, and some breeds are more prone than others.
Dogs can become stressed because they are bored, frustrated, scared or anxious. You may also be feeling a bit stressed by the coronavirus restrictions in place. For many dogs, being around a stressed family member will be enough to affect them, as dogs can sense when things aren't quite right.
Anxiety in dogs is seldom a simple diagnosis
If your dog is nervous, and maybe even somewhat fearful at times, it's wise to look deeply into what may be causing these behavioral issues and then devise a plan to help your dog become more confident. An anxious dog is an unhappy dog.
Leaving Your Dog Alone Is Not The Answer
A common myth surrounding separation anxiety is that by somehow ignoring your dog, or by forcing them to be alone for long periods of time, they simply will get used to it, and the disruptive behavior will stop. This couldn't be further from the truth.
When you first arrive home, ignore your dog completely. This means you do not look at them, do not speak to them, do not pet them. For some pups, even telling them “no,” pushing them off, or asking for a Sit right away is rewarding for them, because they are still getting attention from you!