There isn't one single magic command, but effective commands for calming a dog include "Settle," "Place," "Stay," and even a specific "Down," often combined with a calm tone and body language to encourage relaxation and stillness, teaching them to focus and disengage from excitement. These commands build impulse control, teaching your dog to go to a specific spot or hold a position calmly, even with distractions, creating a mental "off switch" for overexcitement.
Rather than sit, a watch, steady, focus or chill command might be used. Similarly, instead of down a relax, settle, or SOFT command might be considered, while follow or heel should be used for a calm, loose leash walk, and go to your mat should mean go settle down in your bed.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Tips for Calming Your Dog Naturally
The Dog Calming Code teaches both new and veteran dog owners how to communicate with dogs, how to connect with dogs, and how to create an ideal relationship that makes training easier. It's not only about basic command training; it's training in a way that makes your dog listen and obey.
Aside from yawning, other calming signals include turning the head or entire body aside, pawing, approaching in an arc, squinting, flicking the tongue or licking the nose or muzzle, sniffing the ground for no apparent reason, freezing in place, or crouching down with the front of the body.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
Natural ways to calm an anxious or stressed dog
If their hyperactivity isn't cutting into your day, let their personalities flourish.
Experiencing new things can be exciting for your dog, but if these new experiences are not all positive and fun, they can cause your dog to feel stressed. Dog anxiety occurs when your pup's negative experiences turn into fear of new people, animals, experiences, places, and separation from family members.
Don't interact with them until they're take a treat from your hand. Pet under their chin or on their chest. Avoid patting their head — most dogs don't like it! Build up trust with your dog before bringing them to public settings like the dog park, a friend's house, or a dog-friendly restaurant or brewery.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
Keep introductions short by following the “three second rule”; count to three as the dogs sniff each other, say thanks or nice to meet you to the owner, and then excitedly call your dog away and continue your walk.
The hardest "commandment" (command) to teach a dog is often considered Recall ("Come"), due to powerful natural instincts to explore or play, followed by impulse control commands like "Leave It/Drop It", and complex obedience actions like the "Finish" (positioning at the handler's side) or "Heel", requiring intense focus and self-control, especially with distractions like other dogs or interesting sights/smells.
Back and shoulders: One of the best spots to pet your dog is starting between their shoulders and moving down their back until the space just above the base of their tail. Some dogs may appreciate a firmer touch or gentle scratching in this area.
Every pup should know the 7 Basic Common commands: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO.
Your hyper dog may need more exercise. Exercise is good for your dog's physical body and for his state of mind. If a dog does not get exercised he will have bottled up energy that will appear as hyperactivity.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Selecting your veterinary team
Often, these clinics will attempt to limit noise that could stress out pets, play calming music, examine dogs on the floor, where they feel less stressed, instead of on an exam table and more.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L) – There's a reason people drink chamomile tea before bed … it's a gentle herb with sedative effects. It can help your dog relax and soothe her stomach when she's nervous.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Dogs have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans.
After 8 to 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain that stimulate a hunger response. For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your dog.