Has your dog been running in circles and barking excessively in the morning? It can be difficult to pinpoint why our pups become hyperactive.
Your dog might be hyper in the morning because they have lots of stored energy during this time. But they might also be restless for more serious reasons, such as ADHD and separation anxiety.
Find out what’s causing your dog’s morning hyperactivity and what you should do about it.
Why Dogs are Hyperactive in the Morning
Dogs get hyper in the morning because their energy levels are different at this time. Here are possible causes for their morning hyperactivity.
ADHD or Hyperkinesis
ADHD or hyperkinesis is when dogs show abnormal behavior, such as impulsiveness, playful behavior, and short attention span.
If your furry friend has overbearing attention-seeking behavior, you might want to consult a vet for a proper diagnosis.
Check if your dog is so impulsive in the morning that they can’t focus on their morning tasks for long. Do they get easily distracted even when eating or doing other things they enjoy?
But be careful not to diagnose your dog incorrectly. Many owners think their dog has ADHD when they are just showing high energy levels.
According to a study at the University of Helsinki, ADHD is a complex disorder that can be affected by your dog’s breed, body size, age, and daily time spent alone.
Some dogs with “ADHD” only need adequate exercise and socialization to return to normal. They do not need stimulants to help them focus and pay attention.
You can learn about other symptoms of a hyperactive dog and consult your vet for reliable information on your dog’s behavior.
They’re Full of Energy in the Morning
Like some humans, dogs are full of energy in the morning because they have energized themselves during their sleep.
They may have also just eaten breakfast and gotten a burst of energy, resulting in them running around and playing a lot.
Dogs who enjoy activity in the morning have better blood circulation, which helps them wake up in a good mood. So don’t worry if your dog jumps and runs in the yard first thing in the morning.
Be aware that they might also show the opposite behavior when they have no energy. Dogs can get aggressive when they’re tired due to overexertion or lack of stimulation.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common problem among our furry friends who always want to be with us.
This condition goes beyond whining, stress, or mischief. Some dogs excessively make noise and cause accidents in the house even if they’re housebroken.
While some dogs get anxious, scared, and destructive when their fur parents are physically absent, others struggle at the idea that their owners are asleep.
They are so dependent on their humans that they get incredibly anxious about not getting attention.
So, when you wake up in the morning, you might notice that your dog has destroyed your stuff, soiled your carpet, and has been digging in the yard.
Some causes of separation anxiety in dogs include:
- change of owner
- moving into a new home
- change in routine
- loss of an owner
- being left alone for the first time.
Temperature
The atmospheric condition can play a role in your dog’s morning behavior. Your short-haired Shar-Pei might like the hot weather more than cold winter nights, so they take advantage of the summer season by playing in the morning.
But if you have a Siberian Husky whose coat is long, they might get enthusiastic about cold, snowy days. You’ll find them rolling in the snow during the day.
Dogs are just like us humans. Our moods change according to the weather. Some get irritated by the scorching heat, while others think it’s a great time to sunbathe.
Diet
Your dog’s meals may have something to do with their morning hyperactivity. Examine what you’re feeding your dogs to understand why.
Are you giving them too many fats and carbohydrates? Our furry friends get their energy from these macros, especially fat.
Ensure your dog receives enough nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Experts suggest that only 12% of your dog’s calories should come from fat.
But do not altogether remove fat from your dog’s meal. Otherwise, it won’t be a balanced meal.
This nutrient is the main reason dogs love the smell and taste of their food. Fat also helps with good cholesterol and vitamin absorption.
They Want to Poop or Pee
If your dog doesn’t have access to the bathroom, training pads, or the outdoors at night, there’s a good chance they want to pee or poop in the morning.
They will wake you up, bark loudly, and run around to tell you they need to go potty. Others keep sniffing their groin and scratching the door in an attempt to go out.
Do not be quick to scold your dog when they do these things. Your puppy’s bladder is uncontrollable, so take them out immediately.
A better way to resolve this issue is to stick to a realistic routine. Determine how much water they should drink at night without dehydrating or causing accidents in the morning.
They Just Had a Bath
Dogs can get hyper in the morning when fresh out of the tub. Who doesn’t feel refreshed and happy after a good shower?
Their body temperature is cooler than usual, so they maximize it by running around and playing.
But some dogs can become hyperactive for a negative reason after a bath. They run and bark excessively because they want to escape from the water.
Many dogs consider bath time a traumatizing experience. They do not like getting wet, so they cope with stress by being hyperactive. They will shake their bodies and rub themselves on any surface to dry themselves.
They may also hate slipping on the wet floor or being confined in a small bathtub. Some dogs do not like the smell of soap and shampoo or the sound of water running down the faucet.
Rewarded Behavior
A restless dog may get energetic in the morning because they have always been rewarded for it.
If you go out of your way to wake up and give them a treat when they bark at you, they will keep being energetic.
There’s nothing wrong with rewarding them as long as you can tolerate it when they keep asking for attention. It also helps to reward your dog only for good behavior.
Find Out Why Your Dog is Hyper in the Morning
Evaluate the following to figure out the reason for your dog’s hyperactivity.
When Did Your Dog Start Being Hyperactive in the Morning?
If you remember when your dog started being hyper, you can get a lot of clues on the cause.
For example, if your dog started being restless when you changed their potty routine, they probably get energetic in the morning because it’s not working for them.
They may need to pee in the morning because they’ve been holding it too long.
Or maybe it happened when you first started giving treats to your dog. They might have enjoyed the reward, so they kept waking you up in the morning for more goodies.
If you can find out what changed to cause the behavior then you can fix it.
Are They Always Hyperactive in the Morning?
Look at when your dog experiences morning restlessness to know more about the cause of their behavior.
If your dog is only hyperactive when you’ve been gone for too long, like during a night shift, it might be a sign of separation anxiety.
Some dogs also get hyperactive in the morning when they like the temperature. Maybe it’s warm out and they are energized to get outside.
Or maybe you just slept in too long and they are excited to see you up and about.
Occasional bouts of hyperactivity are nothing to worry about. But if it is happening frequently you should find a way to manage it.
How to Manage Your Dog’s Hyperactivity
The best way to fix your dog’s hyperactivity is by solving the root cause.
For instance, if you find out that your dog is restless because of their diet, you might want to reduce the amount of fat in their meals and replace it with fruits and vegetables.
Here are some tips for solving your dog’s hyperactivity:
- Give them daily exercise. Some dogs only need to expend their bursts of energy to avoid hyperactivity. Make sure they get enough exercise daily, depending on their age and energy levels.
- Change their potty routine. If your dog wakes you up to pee, it’s worth considering giving them a different potty routine.
- Teach practical commands. Your dog should learn essential command words like “quiet,” “settle,” and “stay” so they will obey you when you ask them to stop running around or barking.
- Do not reward your dog for being hyper. Wait for your dog to calm down before giving them attention or treats. Unintentionally rewarding your dog’s hyperactivity will make them more likely to continue the behavior.
- Take your dog to the vet. Your vet will give your dog the best diet and exercise plan. They may also run tests to check if your dog has ADHD or separation anxiety.
How Long Should I Play With My Puppy Every Day?
You need to play with your puppy several times a day for about five minutes each session.
Puppies get hyperactive because of their short bursts of energy. But one long session of playtime in the morning can be dangerous to them.
Their growth plates are still soft, so they can’t easily handle long hours of running and jumping around.
Their breed, size, and health will also affect how much playtime they need daily.
Check out the suitable duration for playing with your puppy daily.
What is the Least Destructive Dog Breed?
The least destructive dog breed is the Mini Schnauzer because they are intelligent enough to obey your commands and learn tricks.
Other dogs that won’t give you problems with destructive behavior are the Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, and Mastiff.
But the breed isn’t the sole determining factor for your dog’s destructiveness. It would help if you also considered how much training you give them, their age, and energy levels.
Check out our list of the least destructive dog breeds.
Why Does My Dog Always Touch Me?
Your dog is continually touching you because they want attention from you.
They want to get you to do something, such as give them a treat or take them out for a walk. Other dogs keep touching you because they need to pee outside.
Do not quickly punish your dog for seeking attention. Some have valid reasons for their behavior, like when you don’t give them access to the bathroom or when you haven’t been giving them enough playtime.
Find out the other reasons your dog touches you.
Check Your Hyper Dog!
Dogs get hyperactive in the morning for several reasons.
Because they can’t communicate with words, they bark and run around to tell you they want to pee. Others get hyperactive in the morning because of poor diet or post-bath time.
Ask your vet for advice if you suspect your dog has ADHD or separation anxiety. They will give you the best treatment plan for your furry friend’s behavioral issue.
Another unusual behavior among dogs is panting in the car. Find out why your dog pants when they are inside the car.
