Disobedient, Unruly, and Hyperactive Dogs

When will my dog outgrow his puppy behaviors?

Dogs routinely exhibit behaviors that are quite normal (for dogs!) and in fact, would be considered ‘dog-typical’, though they are not desirable by our standards. These behaviors can include jumping up on people, barking at us, stealing things when we are trying to relax, and running laps around the house or yard instead of coming when called.

Puppies do not necessarily ‘outgrow’ these behaviors. A behavior that is fun for a dog is said to be self-rewarding and this behavior will continue well after the puppy has matured. Dogs may also be rewarded by some of the responses that their behaviors generate in the people around them. In fact, people often inadvertently encourage unwanted behaviors when they apply certain types of training interventions.

Why is my dog disobedient?

Dogs are not verbal by nature. They routinely learn the meaning of many verbal action cues or commands. For a cue to be meaningful to your dog, your dog must first fully understand the behavior that is expected. It is important to introduce important action cues in a quiet environment and to reward your dog for doing the behavior. Once your dog is consistently following a verbal cue in the quiet area, some distractions can be added. When dogs are distracted or excited, they may not respond to cues they have learned. This failure to respond does not reflect disobedience. As training advances, it will become easier for your dog to listen in a wide range of situations.

"For a cue to be meaningful to your dog, your dog must first fully understand the behavior that is expected."

Use the word “come” as an example. At first, the word has no meaning. Next, you hold your dog’s favorite toy or treat and as your dog is running toward you for the reward, you say the word “come”. With the repeated pairing of “come” with the behavior of your dog rushing toward you, you are creating the association that turns ‘come’ into an action cue. Now, if you say “come”, even if you do not have a reward in hand, your dog will come running. If you stop rewarding the behavior altogether just because your dog ‘knows’ the word, then your dog will not continue to respond. The word “come” will lose its meaning. Keep the behavior strong by rewarding often. Finally, add distractions. Start from the beginning—high-value treat, call your dog, and reward. Soon your dog will follow your cue.

How can I encourage my dog to listen to me from the start?

Start early with a reward-based training program. Even young puppies are ready to learn. Begin by delivering treats or toys whenever your dog does a behavior you like. Do not be in a hurry to label the behaviors—there is plenty of time to introduce verbal cues. Your dog will start to offer many of the behaviors you like to earn rewards. If you do not like a behavior, do not reward it and it may go away on its own. Next, begin to ask for the behaviors you have trained whenever your dog is about to receive something valuable. You may ask for a “sit” or “lie down” before opening the door to the yard, before feeding a meal, or even before petting your dog. You have just improved communication! Your dog can say “please” by offering a behavior that he knows you like. And your dog will understand (and follow) your requests when you ask with a trained action cue.

How can I stop my dog from being unruly?

Many natural dog behaviors are considered unruly behaviors, as they are disruptive and undesirable to us. Because they are self-rewarding, they continue even after you tell your dog to stop. Furthermore, some dogs are excited when scolded (e.g., for jumping up), or chased (e.g., to retrieve your stolen goods) and these behaviors thus increase behavior.

Training techniques that rely on stopping behaviors often fail because even if the dog stops the behavior for a moment, the motivation to do the behavior has not changed. Punishment, or using something unpleasant to discourage a behavior, is not a recommended tool. When dogs are punished, they can become frightened or even aggressive. A more effective strategy is to teach a replacement behavior. As discussed in earlier sections of this handout, you will need to teach the new behavior when your dog is calm. Until your dog has mastered the new desired behavior, you can use some management tools to prevent your dog from making an inappropriate choice. For example, you can have your dog on a leash ahead of time to prevent jumping up and stealing (see the handouts “Dog Behavior Problems – Greeting Behavior - Jumping Up” and "Dog Behavior Problems – Stealing” for more information).

Why is my dog so active all the time?

One reason dogs make great companions is that they are ready to be active when we ask them to be. Some individual dogs, and perhaps even some breeds of dogs, tend to be more active than others. It is up to you to be sure that your dog has a good interactive exercise and training routine. Ask your veterinarian for guidelines before beginning an aerobic exercise program, as some dogs may have restrictions related to health conditions. Most dogs benefit from two moderate aerobic walks, an interactive play session, and a walk for sniffing and exploring. A short training session that includes an opportunity for problem-solving or learning new skills should also be included every day.

Some dogs are highly rewarded by attention and when they notice people just sitting around, they begin stealing or barking until they are finally able to get some interaction. Try to refrain from participating in this game, as any attention you provide will, unfortunately, encourage the behavior. Instead, set your dog up to succeed.

"If your dog does not settle when you are ready to relax, plan and assign an appropriate activity for your dog."

If your dog does not settle when you are ready to relax, plan and assign an appropriate activity for your dog. One option is to have a food-filled toy, such as a Kong®, for your dog to enjoy. Another is to put a leash on, put a mat beside you, and reward your dog for lying quietly. Teaching to settle on a mat can take some time but, eventually, your dog will know that when the mat is there, it is time for rest. Finally, if your dog has a quiet room or crate, you can put your dog into the quiet space for rest time (if your dog is not comfortable when confined, do not try this technique).

Can dogs be abnormally hyperactive or have ADHD?

Many healthy dogs exhibit a high level of activity and may be described as “busy” or seem to be hyperactive. These dogs can benefit from extra enrichment, plenty of aerobic exercise, and challenging reward-based training, but they are still considered to be behaviorally normal. Active, enthusiastic dogs are often fun companions for dog sport enthusiasts.

If you are concerned that your dog is overly active even when all behavioral needs have been satisfied and does not settle well even in the absence of stimulation, then your dog may suffer from hyperkinesis, which is sometimes called true hyperactivity. This condition is rare in dogs, and it may be similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as described in people. Dogs with hyperkinesis show physiologic changes, such as a rapid heart rate. Dogs with hyperkinesis have a paradoxical effect to stimulant drugs, meaning that instead of getting more excitable, they become calm. Your veterinarian can do a test to screen for hyperkinesis.

How can I start my puppy on the right track?

From the moment your puppy joins your home, learning begins. Create a list of rules or guidelines for your puppy and be consistent about helping your puppy understand those rules through reward-based training and management. Always think about what you would like your puppy to do, rather than what you would NOT like. If you prefer that your adult dog does NOT jump up on you, then teach your puppy to “sit” when greeting you. If you will prefer your adult dog does NOT climb on furniture, provide a bed for your puppy, and consistently deliver pets, treats, and toys when your puppy rests in that location.

Provide plenty of safe, age-appropriate toys and prevent your puppy from accessing your own valuables by using a leash, a gate, or a crate. Be sure to provide plenty of exercise, play time and rest time. Supervision is important until your puppy understands how to behave in different areas of the house and in different situations.

Train the skills that will help your puppy best fit into your lifestyle. Most puppies should learn to “sit”, “lie down”, “stay”, “come”, and “settle” when asked. If possible, attend puppy classes—be sure your trainer will use gentle reward-based training. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations. More specific training information can be found in the “Dog Behavior and Training” and Puppy Behavior and Training” series of handouts.

I have tried training my dog without success. What went wrong?

There are physical and behavioral disorders that can prevent learning. If you are concerned that your dog is not learning as expected, ask your veterinarian to start with physical testing, including a neurological exam. If all is normal, then consider a behavior consultation with a veterinary behaviorist who will screen for behavioral conditions, such as anxiety or frustration intolerance.