Is Your Poodle Hyper? Here’s Why and How You Can Help Them!

By Nancy Williams •  Updated: 05/23/22 •  20 min read

Your poodle is a bundle of energy, and you love it. But sometimes that energy can get out of hand and lead to some serious mischief.

So what do you do if your poodle is too hyper?

We all know it: poodles are a little… excitable. 

They’re so smart and they love to learn, so they’re always getting into trouble. And even when they don’t mean to be naughty, their high energy levels can make them hard to handle. 

We’ve got some tips for how you can help your poodle settle down and become the good boy or girl you know they can be!

Signs of a Hyper Poodle

If you suspect you have a hyper poodle, don’t worry! There are ways to help manage their energy and keep them healthy.

Are poodles hyper

But first, it’s important to understand what the signs of hyperactivity in poodles are.

Here are 8 signs you have may have a hyper poodle:

  1. Has high levels of energy: If your poodle is always moving and needs to burn off steam.
  2. Is impulsive: Hyper poodles are often quick to snap at other dogs or people without provocation.
  3. Craves too much attention: Poodles that are hyper in many cases want to be around their owners all the time and will get jealous when you pay attention to anything else (like another dog).
  4. Snaps easily: Dogs with hyper dog syndrome tend to snap more easily than other dogs because they’re constantly on edge from being so stimulated by everything going on around them.
  5. Becomes aggressive when stressed: When your dog has a bad day or isn’t feeling well, it may show aggression towards other dogs or people due to its high energy level.
  6. Not able to get along with other dogs: Because hyper dogs have such short attention spans, they don’t pay much attention to what’s going on around them—including other dogs!
  7. Fidgety movements: Your dog will show signs of anxiety by fidgeting and moving quickly from one place to another without showing any real purpose in its actions.
  8. Short attention span: If your dog seems unable to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time, it might be because they’re too hyperactive to sit still!

Some poodles are just a little more energetic than others. They may have high energy levels, be easily distracted and unable to stay still in one place, and they might be impulsive. These traits can be managed through training.

However, if your dog is showing signs of aggression or snapping, or if they’re having difficulty training, then you should consider seeking professional help before it gets out of hand.

Why Is My Poodle So Hyper?

If you’ve ever owned a poodle, then you know that they are energetic little creatures. But if you’ve ever owned a hyperactive poodle, then you know that there is such a thing as too much energy.

Poodles are known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. They’re also known to be very athletic and energetic. Because of this, it’s normal for them to have bursts of energy—it’s what keeps them so happy! But sometimes those bursts get so intense that they can be difficult to manage.

What causes this? It’s not always easy to pinpoint. How do we know when it’s just the dog being its normal self or when it might need medical attention?

Here are 10 reasons why your poodle may be hyper:

1. It’s in Their Genes!

While a dog’s breed is not the only factor contributing to hyperactivity, there are some behavioral tendencies that can be traced to the dog’s genes. Poodles are known for their high energy because they were bred to retrieve games such as ducks. Their genes predispose them to be energetic.

Poodle’s excellent retrieving skills on display

2. Your Poodle May be Bored

Boredom is a common cause of poodle hyperactivity. Pet owners often leave their dogs home alone for long periods of time, and this can lead to excessive amounts of energy building up in the dog’s body.

3. Lack of Exercise

Poodles are, by nature, active dogs. They need a lot of exercises to keep them happy and healthy. When a poodle doesn’t get enough exercise, they can become hyperactive and destructive. 

4. Lack of a Proper Diet

A poor diet can lead to your dog being hyper among other behavioral issues. The lack of protein can cause your dog to be hyperactive because he lacks the proper energy needed for it to function properly. If your poodle has a sensitive stomach make sure to feed them food specially created for his sensitive stomach.

5. Lack of a Routine

Having a routine is healthy for your poodle because it makes them feel safe and secure. When they know what comes next, they can relax and be their happy-go-lucky selves. The more consistent you can be with your dog’s routine, the better it will be for them. This helps reduce stress and confusion for your dog, which in turn reduces hyperactivity.

6. Separation Anxiety

Another cause of hyperactivity in dogs is anxiety due to separation anxiety. Poodles that are left alone for long periods of time without any interaction with their owner or another animal can also become anxious and frustrated. This can result in destructive behavior such as chewing on furniture or ripping up furniture cushions.

7. Your Poodle Is in the Early Stages of His Life

Poodles remain energetic throughout their lives, but they do mellow out a bit as they age. This is perfectly natural and expected. As a puppy, he’s learning how to live in your home, and he’ll play with his toys or chew on things just because he’s still figuring out what’s okay to chew on and what isn’t. He’ll also probably want to play with other dogs or people when he doesn’t have anything else exciting going on in his life.

8. ADHD

Poodles can be prone to developing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is characterized by impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, and short attention spans. These symptoms are often seen in children who suffer from ADHD and they can sometimes occur together with other conditions such as to conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

It’s not clear why some dogs develop ADHD while others do not, but there is evidence that genetics play a role in determining whether or not a dog will develop ADHD-like symptoms later on in life.

9. Hyperkinesis 

Hyperkinesis is an uncommon condition that can be difficult to distinguish from hyperactivity, poor training, or overactivity. Poodles with hyperkinesis may often get easily distracted or seem vigilant even when they’re in a stable setting.

10. Hyperthyroidism 

Hyperthyroidism is one common condition that causes excessive amounts of energy in dogs; however, there are other conditions that may also be causing your dog’s hyperactivity.

If you suspect that your dog has an underlying medical condition causing their hyperactivity level to increase then you should take them to see your veterinarian as soon as possible so they can perform tests to determine what’s causing this behavior pattern change in your pet.

How to Calm Down a Hyper Poodle?

If you’ve ever had a hyper poodle, you know that they can be a handful. They’re always bouncing off the walls and making a mess of things. They’re hard to keep up with, and sometimes it seems like they’re never going to slow down.

A standard poodle listing top music being calm
a standard poodle chilling

What do you do when your poodle is like this? How do you calm them down?

The good news is that there are a few simple things that you can do to help calm down your hyper-dog.

Here are 10 things you can do to help your hyper poodle calm down:

1. Assess Their Environment: 

Hyperactivity is generally caused by stress or excitement, so it’s important to assess their environment and try to pinpoint what might be causing them to get excited. If they’re in a new place, they might be trying to explore, or if they’re spending time with other dogs or people they don’t know well, they may feel a need to assert themselves.

2. Chew Toys to the Rescue

Consider giving your dog something to chew on. Chewing helps relieve stress in dogs by giving them something productive to do with their mouth instead of barking at other dogs or chewing up furniture/furniture legs/rugs (or anything else). Chew toys can be expensive but there are plenty of options out there that won’t break the bank! Here’s one I recommend: Nylabone Double Bone Power Chew

3. Take Them for a Walk: 

Poodles need exercise, and something as simple as a walk down the road or in the park will give them both physical activity and mental stimulation (they love exploring new places). This should wear them out enough that they’ll be less likely to get into trouble while they’re at home with you!

4. Training

If you’ve got a hyperactive dog, your training is probably going to work better when your pup is tired. Once the exercise is done, it would be helpful to teach your dog essential commands such as come, sit, and stay. It’s important that you keep these commands consistent so that they don’t become confused!

5. Walking + Training

I love to walk my poodles AND train them at the same time! When I’m out walking my poodles, I like to throw in commands like “stay,” “come,” and “sit.” This way, I can walk them and train them at the same time. It saves me time, and it also stimulates my poodle’s brain while working their bodies.

So when you’re out on a walk with your poodle why not throw in some commands? Try saying “stay” or “come” when they get distracted by something they see or go sniffing around, then reward them when they do what you want. And if they don’t listen at first? That’s okay! Just keep practicing while walking them until they get the hang of it and start listening every time.

6. Stick to a Routine

The best way to keep them from getting too excited is by setting up a routine for them. You should have a set time for feeding them, walking them, playing with them, etc. This will help them understand when certain things are going to happen so that they don’t get over-excited about something happening at any given moment in time.

7. Discourage Hyperactive Behavior:

One of the most common mistakes people make when dealing with a hyperactive poodle is giving attention or affection. While this might seem like the obvious solution to a dog who is running around at top speed and yipping like crazy, it’s actually one of the worst things you can do.

Giving your poodle attention and affection will only encourage him to act even more hyper than he already is. If you want to get your pup calmed down, try doing something else entirely—like taking him for a walk or playing fetch in the yard.

8. Reward Your Poodle for Good Behavior: 

Well, first off: don’t punish them! Dogs respond poorly when their owners punish them for being excited or energetic; instead, try rewarding them for good behavior instead (like sitting calmly). This will help them associate those behaviors with positive feelings and make them not want to act in ways that are not rewarded or appreciated with kind words and a gentle tone. 

9. Watch Your Behavior Around Your Poodle:

We know that dogs can pick up on our energy levels and they’ll respond accordingly. If you’re feeling anxious or excited around them, they’ll get excited too! And then they might jump on people or run around like crazy. And if you try to restrain them or punish them for acting out, it’ll just make things worse.

10. Aromatherapy

If you’re looking for a natural way to help calm down your pup, consider using calming scents like lavender or vanilla. These scents have been known to have relaxing properties, which can help calm down hyper dogs as well as humans. Here’s what I use: ThunderEase Dog Calming Pheromone Diffuser Kit.

Dogs are natural stress relievers, but sometimes they just need a little help. A stressful environment can make your dog anxious and anxious dogs can be hard to live with.

How to Train a Hyper Poodle?

Is Your Poodle Hyper? Here's Why and How You Can Help Them! 1

Training your hyper poodle to calm down can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Make sure your dog understands the commands “sit” and “stay.” If your dog does not know these commands, start there.
  2. Once your dog knows these commands, practice them in different environments until he is able to perform them reliably when distracted by other stimuli or people.
  3. Next, practice putting your pup on a leash and walking him around the house while saying “calm down” in a calm tone of voice while petting him with one hand and holding onto the leash with the other hand. This will help him associate being calm with good things happening around him—like getting treats or praise!
  4. After a few days of this practice, start adding distractions into the mix! Start with dogs or cats who might be curious about what’s going on with their friend but who won’t interfere too much with training. Then progress to people walking by and cars going by outside so that eventually your dog will learn how to remain calm in any situation he may encounter during walks or outings with his family!

Some important things to keep in mind when training a hyperactive poodle.

Exercise is Key for Managing Hyper Dogs:

walk your hyper poodle to tire them out
A woman walking and training her red young puppy poodle in a public park

The first thing you should do when training your hyperactive dog is exercising them. It’s important that they are well-exercised when you are training them, so make sure that you take them for walks or play with them in the yard often. This will help them release their energy and make them more manageable for training purposes.

Calm Your Dog with Positive-Reinforcement Training

Reinforce your hyper poodle to correct behavior

Use positive reinforcement training as one way of calming down your hyperactive dog. You could try giving them treats when they sit still or giving them rewards when they do not bark or jump on people or other animals while being walked outside in public places such as parks. Your dog will be more likely to listen and obey when they feel rewarded for good behavior instead of being punished for bad behavior.

How to Tire a High Energy Poodle

For a high-energy poodle, the best way to tire them out is to engage in activities that will challenge their mind and body. 

A tired dog after intense exercising
A Tired Dog After Exercising

Here are some tips on how to tire a high energy poodle:

Will my Hyper Poodle Ever Calm Down?

As a poodle owner, you’re likely to wonder if your dog will ever calm down. The answer is yes!

For a well-trained poodle, eighteen months is the typical time when its temperament will level out. It may take two, three, or even four or five years for other poodles to calm down.

First of all, poodle puppies are much more hyper than adult poodles. They have a lot of energy and still learning their boundaries, so they’re bound to be rowdier than the average adult poodle.

As they get older, that energy should settle and they’ll start acting more like a normal dog—but it will still take some time. Keep in mind that every dog is different and some might be more hyper than others or have other quirks that make them difficult to train (like biting or barking).

The key here is patience—if you stick with the training and keep working with your pup, they’ll eventually calm down!

Are Mini Poodles Hyper?

Yes and no.

Small dogs are often more excitable and easily startled, so they tend to bark or growl at strangers. While large poodles are generally more laid back and less anxious, smaller poodles tend to be more anxious and energetic.

A White Mini Poodle Being Hyper

And because of their small size, they’re also more likely to feel overwhelmed by the world around them. They have a hard time processing everything that’s going on around them, which makes them nervous and anxious. This leads to hyperactivity and restlessness in many small dogs.

The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help your mini dog learn how to relax and enjoy life.

Are Male Poodles More Hyper Than Female Poodles

That’s the question I set out to answer, and the answer is yes.

It’s not just a “yes,” though—it’s a “yes,” with a caveat:

Female poodles tend to be calmer and more laid back than their male counterparts. Male poodles are generally more energetic and eager to please than female poodles, who tend to be more reserved and calm. This could mean that they can be more hyper than female poodles.

All poodles have different personalities, and they all have different needs.

Some poodles are calm while others are hyper, it is our job as owners to assess what’s making them hyper in the first place and then try to work our way to a solution.

Are Poodles of Certain Colors More Hyper Than Others?

Red Poodles have a reputation for being more hyperactive and aggressive than white or black poodles. But is it really the case?

Researchers have found no correlation between the color of a poodle and its hyperactivity. A poodle’s behavior is more likely to be influenced by the way they are trained and socialized than by their coat’s color.

Each poodle has their own personality, whether it’s not wanting to go outside or always being hungry. Some like to play fetch, while others prefer to chase squirrels. And some are just really good at making us laugh.

The most important thing is to remember that each poodle has its own quirks and personality—and that’s what makes them so special!

Are Poodle Mixes Hyper?

Many people think that poodle mixes are inherently hyper because of their high energy levels. While this can be true if you don’t train your poodle properly or socialize them properly, it’s not true all the time.

If your doodle is hyper it’s mostly due to improper training or socialization than their breed. If you want to calm down your hyper-doodle there are plenty of things you can do to help them chill out!

I have put together a list of our favorite ideas:

Aromatherapy to Combat Hyperactivity

Scents like coconut, ginger, valerian, and vanilla have been proven to help reduce excess activity as well as relieve stress in dogs.

Choosing which ones to get can be confusing, so here’s what I recommend.

Here are four ways to use these peaceful scents:

  1. Spray one of these scents on your dog’s bedding or crate pad to reduce anxiety while they’re home alone.
  2. Use a diffuser to release the soothing scent into the air of your home while you’re away from it—this will help keep the peace while you’re gone!
  3. Rub vanilla-scented lotion on your dog’s paws before heading out for a walk; this will help them relax when they get stressed about being outside in unfamiliar environments such as parks or trails where there may be other dogs around (or people!).
  4. Rub the scent into their ears before going to sleep at night as well—it’ll help them sleep better through any noise disturbances that might be keeping them awake (like barking neighbors).

Conclusion

Poodles are not always hyper. In fact, I’ve found that most poodles are very easy to train and really enjoy learning new tricks. What’s more, is that every poodle is different, so your hyper poodle might be a bit high-strung, or maybe he just needs some extra attention from you and his favorite toys.

Whatever the case may be, there is no need to worry about your hyper poodle! There are lots of things you can do to train him to calm down. You can start by giving him lots of exercises, which will help him burn off all that excess energy.

My goal is to help you take care of your poodle and make sure it has a happy life with you. We hope this article helped you better understand how to keep your poodle calm and relaxed.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out through the comment section below! 

Nancy Williams

👩🏻‍🦱 Hey, I'm Nancy! Over at PoodleGo, I'm "that passionate poodle lady". At home? Mom to 3 kiddos 👶🏻, ruled by 2 diva poodles 🐩, and one dramatic Persian cat 🐈‍⬛ who thinks he’s king. Poodles might seem all glam, but they’re more than just fancy fur. Dive into PoodleGo and discover the magic behind these curly superstars ✨. For some behind-the-scenes poodle tales 🐾, don't miss our newsletter 💌. Let's embark on this fluffy journey together! 💯