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When Do Great Danes Calm Down? Everything You Need to Know!
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If you have a Great Dane puppy, you probably already know their energy seems boundless. In fact, as puppies, this breed can be very hyper and quite destructive when they're bored and restless. You’re probably wondering if your Great Dane puppy will ever calm down.
The truth is that some Great Danes never calm down, while others tend to mature and become more relaxed. Of course, you don’t want your dog to be that lazy, but you want the dog to calm down, so what do you do? We’ll answer these questions and more below.
When Do Great Danes Calm Down?
Most Great Danes begin to calm down at around 2 years of age. They aren’t considered puppies anymore at this age but are growing into adulthood. They are usually playful as they age but have no problem curling up on the couch while you watch TV.
Why Is My Great Dane So Hyper?
Here are a few reasons why your Great Dane never seems to calm down.
They Are Young
Most Great Danes tend to be extra hyper when they’re young. They notice everything around them and want to explore it. They play, get into things, and enjoy their young lives. However, this should change as they get older.
They Are Bored
Great Danes are energetic, intelligent, and curious, so if your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, it could be bored and restless. A bored Great Dane that becomes destructive can shred a couch pretty quickly.
If you find your Great Dane becoming bored, play with your pet every day and provide plenty of durable toys. Whether it’s a chew stick, a ball, or even a food puzzle, keeping your Dane from being bored can prevent damage to your belongings and help your pet relax.
They’re Not Getting Enough Exercise
A lack of exercise will make your dog restless and jumpy and may cause it to become more destructive. Your puppy needs at least 2 to 3 hours of exercise a day, whether walking, running, hiking, or just throwing the Frisbee in the backyard. Once your Dane reaches adulthood, you can cut back to an hour a day.
They Are Suffering from Anxiety
It’s also possible that your Dane is suffering from anxiety. Most Great Danes get anxious and nervous when they’re away from their owners. Teaching your dog that you’ll be back and that it’s okay to be alone will help with this.
If you feel that your dog is unnaturally anxious, it might be best to make an appointment with your vet for anti-anxiety meds or to see if there’s an underlying problem that needs to be treated.
They Have Hyperkinesis
Hyperkinesis is the doggie form of ADHD. While this condition isn’t common in the Great Dane breed, it can happen.
Here are some of the signs of hyperkinesis:
This is a condition that your vet can treat, and if you notice any of the signs, take your Great Dane in for training and treatment. You’ll be glad you did, as it’ll help you and your furry friend in the long run.
How Do I Calm My Great Dane Down?
Once you’ve figured out why your dog is energetic and hyper, you can do a few things to help it calm down.
Exercise
Exercise is the best way to help your dog calm down and be less hyper. Take your pooch out to exercise when it’s showing signs of being restless. It’s best to take your dog for a walk at least twice a day, but you can supplement that with running on the beach, taking a hike, or even playing ball together in the yard.
Spaying or Neutering
Once your Great Dane is old enough, it might help to have the dog spayed or neutered, as this has been known to calm dogs down. The recommendation is to have your dog spayed or neutered when it is an adult weighing over 45 pounds.
Give Your Dog Some Space
Make sure there’s space in your home for your dog to spend time away from the family. Set it up with a dog bed, treats, and its favorite toys. Make sure that the area is away from all the noise and traffic in your home for the best results. Just like humans, Great Danes need time for themselves from time to time as well.
Conclusion
If your Great Dane is restless, pacing back and forth, or extremely hyper, it could just be that the dog is a puppy and will grow out of it when it’s older. However, as previously stated, it is possible that your dog is suffering from anxiety or even from Hyperkinesis.
Great Danes are giant dogs, so keeping them calm as puppies is essential to keeping your furniture and home intact in the future. If our suggestions do not work with your pet, you can talk to your veterinarian or a canine behavioralist.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: trwirth, Pixabay
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Patricia is a pet and coffee writer and a published author under the pen name Skylar McKinzie. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her two cats and dog. Since she was a young child, she has been a pet lover and enjoys nothing more than cuddling with her pets, Mystery, and her two cats, Binx and Link. Mystery has been with her family since the day she was born, as has Link. Binx was found under the house as a kitten, taken inside, and has been a part of the family ever since. Patricia loves sharing her knowledge of animals and finds joy in helping out at the local rescue shelter whenever she can.
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