When Do Goldendoodles Calm Down?

The adorable Goldendoodle breed is a popular choice for first-time dog owners, as well as families with young children. With unsurpassed energy levels and a seemingly permanent smile, this cheerful, affable pooch will quickly assimilate itself into the family.

A Goldendoodle puppy is a lot of fun to have around. They are good-natured and friendly dogs, not to mention adorable, with oh so much energy.

You might be wondering whether your hyper Goldendoodle puppy will ever calm down or if you are going to be stuck with this manic behavior and these uncapped energy levels forever.

As for the latter point, not quite, as we’ll soon see.

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They Have A Lot Of Energy

A Goldendoodle puppy is an ideal fit for families with young children because they are friendly and energetic dogs… really, really energetic. Goldendoodle owners usually know this going in, especially if they adopted their pup from a reliable breeder. Their tremendous energy levels are often one of their greatest appeals.

As puppies, you should expect them to race around your home, and engage in play wrestling and excessive licking with their new family as well as other dogs. Expect a lot of chaos, but start training early on to deter destructive behavior.

Why Are Goldendoodles Such Energetic Dogs?

The main reason that the Goldendoodle breed is so energetic is that it is the hybrid offspring of the golden retriever and the poodle, two naturally energetic, active breeds.

These are also two of the most intelligent dog breeds. Couple this boundless energy with a keen intellect and, without sufficient mental stimulation and physical exercise, you have a recipe for doggy disaster!

The Puppy Stage

Goldendoodle puppies are incredibly energetic and prone to extremely hyperactive behavior. Fortunately for their owners, the puppy phase is absolutely the peak of this energy and as your pup begins to mature they will almost certainly calm down.

For any breed of dog, the puppy stage is the most hectic. It probably seems a little more extreme in a Goldendoodle pup because they are genetically hardwired for action. After about nine months of age, any puppy should begin to calm down, including your Groodle.

Goldendoodles tend to lose their puppy teeth at about eight months of age, which can lead some owners to think of them as adult dogs. However, they are technically still considered puppies until nearer their first birthday.

As they get to about ten months, most Goldendoodles will calm down at least a little bit, but every puppy is unique. That means that every puppy’s behavior is also unique, and there are no promises that yours will definitely calm down anytime soon.

How To Keep Your Goldendoodle Calm

Your Goldendoodle puppy is going to be a big bundle of hyperactive fluff for the first nine months. After that, you should expect to see them calm down a little bit.

Even so, the Goldendoodle breed is not exactly known for being a completely calm dog. Rather than cross your fingers and wait for them to outgrow the chaos, there are a few things you might try to decrease their natural Goldendoodle energy level and improve your dog’s overall behavior.

Burn some energy

Goldendoodles will calm down after they have the chance to burn some of that boundless energy. Ensuring your doodle gets plenty of exercise is a quick and easy way to calm them down.

A high-energy puppy will happily amuse itself play biting chew toys or exploring your backyard. Give your pup plenty of attention and ensure there are enough dog toys for them to chew on to avoid them gnawing on your shoes and furniture.

Another excellent trick to tire out your whirlwind pup is to amuse them with some simple scent training using empty cardboard boxes. You might gradually make the game more difficult, too, since, even as an adult, the intelligent Goldendoodle will always love a puzzle.

Once your Goldendoodle reaches the adult stage, it will be quite a bit larger and therefore require more space to work off its excess energy. Taking your Goldendoodle to a dog park for regular exercise will allow them to run and play and socialize with other dog breeds as well.

Your adult Goldendoodle should still have plenty of stimulating dog toys to play with, especially if they are left alone. After all, a bored Goldendoodle is not a happy Goldendoodle.

Positive reinforcement

The best thing you can do is get your doodle used to a routine from a young age. As any dog trainer will tell you, once your pup is familiar with meal times, they will be less inclined to look for or eat food that is not intended for them.

Equally, once an intelligent dog like a Goldendoodle comes to expect a nice long walk and a period of play a couple of times a day, they will associate playful and energetic behavior with these activities. Sure, the puppy phase is still going to be a party – but after that, your dog will hopefully contain its energy to playtime and time spent outdoors.

Using positive reinforcement is one effective way to deter problem behaviors in high-energy but intelligent dogs like the Goldendoodle. Positive reinforcement training encourages the dog to behave in the way indicated by their human. Teaching your Goldendoodle puppy good manners through positive training is a good way to calm them down as they mature.

Adopting an older rescue Goldendoodle can make things a little more difficult. If you find that your adult Goldendoodle has too much energy and is prone to negative behavior like excessive barking, it might be time to seek advice from a professional trainer.

Stay calm yourself

Never lose your temper and shout at your dog. A negative reaction will only cause more problematic behavior.

Your dog will sense your energy level and react to it. If you get worked up, they will assume it is playtime. If you become stressed, they will.

By keeping calm, you set the tone and show your dog that now is not the time for play.

Correct your dog calmly and quietly. If you shout ‘no!’ over and over, you will only increase your dog’s excitement.

What if your Goldendoodle just will not calm down?

Be patient. Goldendoodle pups are known for their hyperactive and boisterous behavior, but if your doodle is closing in on its third birthday with no change in their energy level, it might be time to contact a professional dog trainer.

A professional trainer will help you find the right exercise to keep your doodle stimulated while also teaching your furry friend that it is not playtime, all the time!

Problem Barking and Biting

Problem barking refers to excessive barking, whining, or noisemaking and is generally a sign that your doodle craves attention. It might sound bad but in fact what we call problem barking is simply your dog’s way of letting you know they need something. Usually, they are under-stimulated and a little more exercise or playtime is needed.

Sometimes excessive barking is a sign that your dog is afraid, or even in pain. Never get angry if your doodle is barking a lot; instead figure out what they are trying to tell you.

Problem biting occurs when younger dogs fail to learn when it is appropriate to bite or chew, and when it is not. Goldendoodles are not aggressive dogs, they just use their mouths to explore new things. Since puppy teeth are very sharp, they can cause easily cause unintentional harm.

Goldendoodle puppies will engage in play wrestling and biting with their siblings. You must satiate this instinct with rubber chew toys. You can also use a rope toy or some old clothes for a game of tug-of-war.

With consistent training, most Goldendoodle owners will curb the urge the chew or nip within the first few months.

Goldendoodle Energy Levels Change As They Grow

Goldendoodles are naturally active dogs who require plenty of physical exercises and mental stimulation to deter excessive barking and other undesirable behavior.

As an intelligent breed of dog, you can channel their adult energy levels into calmer and less chaotic activities. Try your Goldendoodle with a stimulating puzzle toy, or encourage scent training games to keep them amused indoors.

Goldendoodles calm down as they mature, but they retain plenty of energy. They might not zoom around the house as much, but they will require at least 30 minutes of active play and two long walks every day to dispel pent-up energy.

Each dog is unique

Goldendoodles will begin to calm down as they approach their first year, although they will remain high-energy dogs.

By the time your doodle reaches three years, it should have stopped any particularly hyperactive or manic behavior.

Here’s the glitch, though: if you reach the 30-month mark and still have a hyperactive Goldendoodle on your hands, then it might require a professional dog trainer to intervene.

Signs That Your Adult Goldendoodle Has Too Much Energy

Any dog owner is expecting the puppy stage, right?

Except not all Goldendoodles slow down as they reach a year old, and many will require more exercise to use pent-up energy.

There are a few key signs you can watch out for to tell if your pooch has too much pent-up energy once they’re past puppyhood.

• Excessive barking
• Tugging/pulling on the leash
• Chewing
• Sudden chaotic bursts followed by a nap

Any of these signs could indicate that your Goldendoodle needs a little more exercise than they are getting. Finding the correct amount of exercise for your dog’s energy levels is a surefire way to help calm them down.

Are Mini Goldendoodles More Calm?

Often people make the mistake of assuming that mini Goldendoodles will be calmer than their medium or large-sized counterpart. There is some logic there: less body mass equals less energy, right?

Wrong.

While every dog is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all description, there is no reason to think that a mini doodle will be any less active than medium or large size.

A mini Goldendoodle might be less calm since they contain more miniature Poodle and less Golden Retriever. This means they are actually more prone to lifelong hyperactivity than medium or large Goldendoodles.

On the flip side, they do not possess the stamina of golden retrievers, meaning they might exhibit bouts of hyperactive behavior but quickly tire.

FAQs

Do Goldendoodles calm down after neutering?

Goldendoodle energy levels are often enhanced by an instinct to mate. While neutering might not solve the problem, it should calm them down a bit.

Having a female spayed will also calm problem behaviors exhibited while your dog is in heat.

How do I get my Goldendoodle to calm down?

Goldendoodles will settle down naturally as they grow into adult dogs.

They are still high-energy dogs, so there are a few things you should do to make sure your dog can appropriately channel their energy:

• Burn energy with long walks and plenty of space to run.
• Provide mental stimulation with scent training and play, and physical stimulation using rubber chew toys.
• Be consistent with training.

Are Goldendoodles hyper dogs?

Goldendoodle puppies are hyperactive but as they reach 18 months of age, most will calm down.

Goldendoodles remain high-energy dogs. You will need to provide mental stimulation and the chance to burn off pent-up energy, to avoid hyperactive outbursts.

With consistent training, most Goldendoodles will learn to channel hyperactive tendencies.

Why do Goldendoodles get the Zoomies?

The term zoomies refer to a sudden outburst of pent-up energy. It may cause repetitive motions, such as running in circles.

In many dogs, the zoomies are triggered by excitement. This might be seeing a family member who has been away or just anticipating a morning walk. In other dogs, zooming is a nervous response to a stressful situation. This might be visiting the vet, or even taking a bath.

As high-energy dogs, Goldendoodles tend to get the zoomies if they have too much energy built up and need to burn some off. This is usually not a cause for concern. Keep track of how often your dog zooms and if there is a trigger. If your dog suddenly starts zooming more often, it might indicate a larger behavioral change.

In Conclusion

Every dog is unique so there is really no way to be sure your furry friend will calm down when it reaches a certain age.

A Goldendoodle is an active, intelligent dog. Owners should expect a positively chaotic puppy stage, which will often lessen as the pup reaches a year old. By the middle of their second year, you should be able to see a real difference in hyperactivity.

If your dog passes this benchmark without any change in their behavior or energy levels then congratulations you have one of the special ones. So special that you might need the help of a professional trainer to help control your Goldendoodle’s hyperactive instincts.

That being said, this breed is active and will always require consistent exercise, play, and mental stimulation to burn pent-up energy. Your Goldendoodle will never completely calm down, but with positive training, you can easily teach these intelligent dogs to control their wilder side and reserve bouts of hyperactivity for outdoor play.

If you enjoyed this guide, check out our article on what fruits Goldendoodles can eat for more tips on looking after your furry friend!