Bringing a dog into your family is a big deal, and it is essential to know what to expect before selecting a particular breed. German Shepherds are a popular choice for house pets due to their high intelligence, good looks, and loving nature. Yet, many people interested in buying or adopting a German Shepherd are concerned about when these little balls of energy will finally calm down.
Typically, you can expect German Shepherds to calm down anywhere between 6 months to 3 years of age. German Shepherds usually stay hyper up to the first three years of their life, and this is because most of them end their adolescent period somewhere around 3 years of age.
When Do German Shepherd Puppies Calm Down?
German Shepherds are intelligent and are a common choice for law enforcement, service dogs, and therapy dogs. This wouldn’t be possible if they remained hyper for their entire life. It takes time, but if you understand the developmental stages of a German Shepherd, you can raise them to be calm in their later years.
German Shepherd Stages Of Maturity
German Shepherds are hyper in their early years because they have not yet reached a more calm stage of maturity. Here is a breakdown of the stages of maturity you can expect your German Shepherd to grow through.
The Neonatal Stage
When a German Shepherd is born, it begins the neonatal stage of its maturity. This is the most helpless stage of the dog’s life, and the puppy depends entirely on its mother or caretaker. This means the puppy cannot find food, wash, or even see things! This stage requires a lot of eating because the puppy needs the energy to grow and develop.
The Transitional Stage
The transitional stage is one of the shorter stages of development for a German Shepherd puppy. The transitional phase is marked by the opening of the puppy’s eyes, wherein they gain the ability to see properly. During this stage, the puppy learns to recognize its environment and interact with it. This means that the puppy is aware of its surroundings, including objects near it and sounds created nearby. Now that it is becoming familiar, you may notice that the dog starts to get a little more active.
The Socialization Stage
Socialization occurs typically at around 3 weeks into the puppy’s life. During this stage, the puppy starts to learn how to interact with the animals and humans near it. German Shepherd puppies typically have some experience with other animals from when they were still with their mother and siblings, but this stage represents an expansion of their social circle.
The socialization stage is likely when you notice that your puppy has become more social and hyperactive. As the socialization stage progresses, your German Shepherd should have opportunities to meet new animals and people. This will ensure that they are comfortable socializing once they are more mature.
The Juvenile Stage
The juvenile stage begins between 3 and 6 months after a German Shepherd pup is born. Once a German Shepherd puppy reaches the juvenile stage, it will want more than just the opportunity to meet new animals and people. They will want to explore the world around them and find new places and objects to interact with. This is a significant factor when it comes to their being active.
German Shepherds may be large during this stage, but they are still puppies, which means they do not have the matured attention span of an older dog. Therefore, you should teach only a little obedience during this stage. Focus on helping your German Shepherd deal with aggression and anxiety before they become problems.
The Adolescent Stage
Adolescence for German Shepherds functions much like it would for a human child. Between 6 months and 3 years of age, you can expect your German Shepherd to enter sexual maturity. This means that the puppy’s hormones are being released in full swing. If a male Shepherd is not neutered around this time, you can expect him to mount things often. Female Shepherds may pose a flight risk, as they are far more likely to attempt to escape the yard or cause other issues when they enter their first estrus period.
Keep an eye on your adolescent German Shepherds! You must pay close attention to a German Shepherd in the adolescent stage because their brain is highly capable, but they are experiencing many new emotions. This means they are smart enough to get into trouble but always need more emotional control to make the choices they want.
10 Reasons Why Some German Shepherds Won’t Calm Down
- Lack of physical and mental stimulation: German Shepherds need lots of attention and exercise to stay healthy. If they don’t get enough, they can become anxious and restless.
- Unfamiliar surroundings: If a German Shepherd is placed in an unfamiliar environment with new sounds, sights, smells, and people, it can be challenging to remain calm.
- Stressful situations: German Shepherds may become agitated in certain environments or around people who make them feel uncomfortable.
- Bad Nutrition: A lack of vital nutrients can cause a German Shepherd to become hyperactive and restless.
- Hyperkinesis: Hyperkinesis is a medical condition that can cause a German Shepherd to be unable to calm down and stay relaxed. If you think your dog might have this condition, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian so they can diagnose the issue and provide appropriate treatment.
- Separation anxiety: German Shepherds may experience separation anxiety when left alone for long periods or when their owners leave them, and as a consequence, develop destructive behavior.
- Boredom: If your dog isn’t getting enough mental stimulation during the day, it may become bored and seek ways to entertain itself by being active or destructive.
- Poor training: If a German Shepherd has not been properly trained, it can be difficult to follow commands or understand what is expected of them. This can lead to an unruly dog that doesn’t know how to calm down and behave properly.
- Overstimulation: If a German Shepherd is exposed to too much stimulation from people, other animals or toys and activities, they may become overstimulated and unable to relax. This can lead to increased energy levels and restlessness.
- Age: Puppies and adolescent dogs tend to be more active because they’re going through an essential stage in their development.
How To Calm Down Your German Shepherd Dog
If your German Shepherd is older than 3 years and still hasn’t calmed down, don’t stress out. There are ways you can teach your adult German Shepherd to stop being so hyperactive. Just follow these steps to get your German Shepherd to settle down:
Give Them More Exercise
Dogs usually are hyper because they have too much energy and nothing to do with it. If your German Shepherd is hyper, give them an outlet for their excess energy. Provide opportunities for them to play for long periods, and you will notice that they begin to calm down over time. Giving your dog a lot of exercises will also help with training because they are calmer and able to focus better during training classes.
One great way to give your dog additional exercise is by playing games. Here are some games you can play with your German Shepherd:
- Hide & Seek – If your dog understands how to sit, or stay, hide & seek is a great way to encourage exercise. Tell your dog these commands, then leave and hide somewhere else in your home or the local area. Your dog will expend a good amount of energy dashing about in its attempts to find you.
- Obstacle Courses – Using basic objects around the house, you can set up an obstacle course for your dog to get through. Depending on the things you use, this can prove to be exhausting. Your dog won’t be active for long if you get them moving like this!
Train Your Dog Using Positive Reinforcement
Using various management tools to train your hyper dog can be an effective way to help them settle down over time. Positive reinforcement training involves preventing a dog from engaging in undesirable behaviors, then reinforcing that training using a reward system. For example, if your German Shepherd won’t stop running around, you can use crates or pens to prevent them from getting into trouble. The crate or pen will also teach the dog how to be patient.
In addition to crates and pens, you can use leashes or tethers as a positive reinforcement tool to get your dog to calm down. Leashing your dog allows you to provide them with constant supervision, which makes it easier to discipline undesirable behaviors.
Owning a German Shepherd is a big responsibility. Before deciding to get one, commit to educating yourself on their various needs. This will allow you to raise a well-mannered and calm German Shepherd. If you don’t enforce positive behaviors during their juvenile and adolescent years, you will have to work harder to keep them in check in their adulthood.
Once your German Shepherd has reached the maturity stage, it should be able to understand basic commands such as sit and stay. During this stage, you can start teaching more advanced obedience training, such as recall and heel work. At this point, your pup should also have developed strong social skills when interacting with humans and other animals. You may even notice that their behavior is much calmer than it was during adolescence or earlier stages of life.
Do German Shepherds Calm Down After Neutering?
Generally, neutering a German Shepherd can have a calming effect on its behavior. Neutering is the practice of removing a male dog’s testicles through surgery, which reduces their levels of testosterone and other hormones associated with aggression. This can decrease aggressive behaviors such as barking, biting, marking territory, and trying to escape or fight with other dogs.
Additionally, it has been found that neutering can lead to an overall reduction in anxiety levels among German Shepherds. As they age and become used to being around humans and other animals, they may become calmer due to the experience and increased confidence gained from socialization.
Furthermore, neutering typically takes place when the German Shepherd is around six months old, which may correspond with a time when the dog is naturally maturing and calming down on its own.
Therefore, it’s likely that neutering does contribute somewhat to helping German Shepherds calm down after the procedure; however, much of the effects will depend upon factors such as how early in life the dog was neutered and how much exposure it had to humans or other animals prior to being neutered.
Be Patient… It’s Worth It!
German Shepherds may be a lot to manage in their early years, but it is well worth the effort. These dogs are highly intelligent, making it easy to train for complex tricks and tasks. If socialized and trained well in its early years, an adult German Shepherd can grow up to be an adaptable and polite adult. They can also develop into brilliant companions that can be great at specific jobs.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds Dogs are known for being active and loyal. However, new dog owners are sometimes surprised at how high-energy these dogs can be. If you wonder, “when do German Shepherds calm down?” know that there is hope – they will eventually settle into a more relaxed routine as they get older. With proper training, socialization, and exercise, your German Shepherd will transform from a bouncing ball of energy into a well-mannered adult dog. Patience, consistency, and love are key to helping your German Shepherd reach their full potential.
In conclusion, it is crucial to understand that your German Shepherd’s activity level will depend on various factors. Providing them with the proper attention and exercise, avoiding stressful environments, and getting enough mental stimulation will help keep them calm and well-behaved.