As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How these picks were chosen: by comparing published specifications, materials and design against what the breed actually needs. We have not physically tested these products on a dog, and nothing below is a report of hands-on use. Check current listings and sizing before buying, and ask your vet about anything health-related.
A puppy that will not settle is usually tired, bored or over-excited, and sometimes all three. Most of the fixes below are about rest, exercise and routine, not about stopping the puppy.
Dogs Trust says an overtired dog can become hyper, so a comfy bed in a quiet area to rest helps. The AKC adds that puppies usually sleep 18 to 20 hours a day.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. If your puppy is still very hyper after a good routine, see your vet: the AKC and Dogs Trust both say some medical conditions can cause hyperactivity.
1. Let Your Puppy Sleep
The AKC says puppies usually need 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day and that regular naps after play or walks help prevent overtired behaviour. PDSA says the same: naps are important because puppies are still growing, and many nap after playtime.
Because a puppy’s world is exciting, they will not always stop to rest. If your puppy has gone wild in the evening, put them somewhere quiet for a nap.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.2. Give Them A Quiet Place
Dogs Trust suggests a comfy bed in a quiet area to encourage rest. The AKC says to leave a puppy alone while they sleep, so they do not depend on you to fall asleep. A crate can also be a settled space, if your puppy has learned to like it; the RSPCA says a crate must never be used as a punishment.
See our guide to crate training a puppy.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.3. Give The Right Amount Of Exercise
Dogs Trust recommends regular exercise that suits your dog’s age, health, breed and size, plus enrichment such as training, food puzzles, safe chews, toys and sniffing games. For active breeds, the AKC says a walk on a lead may not do the trick, so consider fetch or other games in a fenced area.
A young puppy should not be over-exercised; see our page on puppy exercise limits.
4. Use Sniffing, Chewing And Licking
Dogs Trust says calming chewing, licking and sniffing activities help a dog relax, and that a hyper dog can use up energy safely with games like sniffing for treats or playing with toys.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.For more ideas, see mental stimulation games.
5. Reward Calm Behaviour
Give a treat, calm praise or a gentle stroke when your puppy settles, so they learn that calm is what pays. PDSA suggests gentle praise, such as a few strokes, when a puppy settles where you want them to.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.6. Teach A Settle
The AKC says that when a dog cannot settle, a down-stay is often what is needed. Practise when your puppy is calm: Dogs Trust says training when your dog is calm makes it easier for them to listen when exciting things are happening.
A short course or a book can help. This one is listed as a guide to raising a puppy in seven steps.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.7. Keep Bedtime Calm
PDSA says to keep bedtime as calm as possible and to give gentle praise when your puppy settles. Breeders will usually give you something that smells of the puppy’s mum, such as a blanket, and putting it where the puppy sleeps can help. PDSA also says young puppies may need night toilet breaks.
Training pads are one option for an indoor toilet area.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.More on this in training pads for an apartment puppy.
8. Avoid Over-Exciting Situations
Dogs Trust suggests avoiding situations that overexcite your dog, such as walks in busy places, and keeping them on a lead or long line so you can guide them away from exciting things.
9. Choose Food Carefully
Choose a food made for puppies and follow the feeding guide on the bag, and ask your vet if you are unsure. We have no source that a particular food makes a puppy calmer.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.10. See Your Vet If It Does Not Settle
Both Dogs Trust and the AKC say a vet check is sensible if your puppy stays hyper once their exercise, rest and routine are right, since some medical conditions can cause hyperactivity.
The Bottom Line
Rest first, then exercise that suits your puppy, then sniffing and chewing, calm rewards and a settle cue. If the puppy is still wired, ask your vet.
