Whether you’ve just welcomed a pit bull puppy into your home or are a seasoned pit bull owner, it can often seem baffling to predict when your lively pit bull pup will mellow out.
In this article, we’re going to outline a general timeline for when pit bull puppies typically start to become calmer, and provide suggestions for managing their robust energy in the meantime.
When Will My Pit Bull Puppy Calm Down?
While a large portion of pit bull puppies may begin to settle down when they reach about 2-3 years of age, the fact is that every pit bull matures at their own pace.
Key note >> The speed at which your pit bull mellows could be earlier or later than this, depending on how you supervise their energy and routine.
It would be misleading to suggest a specific age when every puppy will magically be 50% more relaxed. If only it was that simple!
As a breed recognized for their strength and vitality, it’s completely normal for pit bulls to exude energy even into their adult years. It would be more alarming if your pit bull didn’t exhibit such exuberance!
So, let’s address one of the biggest misunderstandings regarding “settling down” an energetic pit bull.
Why Pit Bulls Don’t Just “Calm Down”
Mental maturity is often brought up as a critical stage when a boisterous puppy becomes a more tranquil adult. For pit bulls, this typically occurs between 2-3 years old.
While there is some truth to this, it’s not as cut-and-dry as many assume. For some pups, the transformation might even go unnoticed.
Regrettably, this misconception usually sends owners down a passive route of merely waiting for their puppy to calm down, instead of taking proactive steps early on.
The secret lies in properly managing your puppy’s hyperactivity and energy with adequate exercise, socialization, training, and daily routines. Simply waiting for him to calm down on his own is not the solution (or at least it won’t seem like it!)
Encourage Your Pit Bull Puppy To Calm Down By Himself
Before we delve into more detailed advice in the following section, I strongly suggest taking a look at this training video.
This straightforward routine will instruct your pit bull puppy how to calm down independently. Simultaneously, it fosters and enhances his self-control, which is an essential skill for maintaining a calm and relaxed disposition.
Committing to this training can make a significant difference.
5 Ways To Calm a Hyperactive Pit Bull Puppy
Apart from the above-discussed training routine, here are five fundamental and invaluable tips to incorporate into your daily schedule to slowly but surely result in a calmer Pit Bull.
These will not work over night. But you should likely see a different after about a week or two if you commit to these new changes. It will be absolutely worth it.
1. Morning Exercise to Kickstart the Day
Pit bulls necessitate a substantial quota of daily physical activities. Be it a jog, playing fetch at a park, or even a swim, it’s critical to engage your pit bull in an energetic session early in the day.
A well-thought-out exercise routine for your pit bull would include two sessions: one in the morning and another in the evening. Remember, keeping your pit bull waiting for a workout after waking up will only build up their energy.
2. Mental Engagement is Crucial
Despite the significance of physical activities, mental exercises, in fact, exhaust your pit bull puppy more effectively.
The reality is: Without mental stimulation, your puppy won’t truly be tired, regardless of the physical exercises they engage in.
Ensure to dedicate at least an hour for training exercises daily. These can include basic command training, scent detection games, brain-teaser toys, or social interactions with other dogs. Engage your pit bull’s mind, and enjoy the ensuing calm.
3. Maintain a Consistent Daily Routine
Implementing a predictable daily routine is more critical than it sounds, especially for pit bulls.
Disrupting schedules and performing activities randomly can cause unnecessary stress and trigger hyperactivity in your puppy.
Adhering to consistent timings for feeding, exercising, playing, and training will help synchronize your pit bull puppy’s behavior with daily events. They’ll learn when to expect exciting activities and when it’s downtime.
4. Focus on Socialization
While mentioned earlier, socialization is vital enough to warrant its own discussion.
For optimal socialization, consider it as a separate activity from regular exercise.
Plan get-togethers with other puppy parents, invite friends with their dogs over. Consciously introducing your pit bull puppy to other puppies and adult dogs pays off immensely.
Not only does this promote a friendly and amicable temperament in your pit bull, but it also serves as one of the most effective forms of mental exercise. Socialization, quite literally, wears dogs out.
5. Frequent Interaction
It may seem like a lot already, but if you can spare the time… devote more of it to your pit bull puppy!
Casual interaction significantly contributes to keeping your puppy content, pacified, and fulfilled. Increased playtime, communication, and simple interaction can make a world of difference.
Puppies yearn for a reliable leader and mentor. Pit bulls, in particular, are a breed that are highly responsive to their owners and seek attention.
If pit bull puppies feel they’re not receiving adequate attention, they may resort to undesired behaviors such as hyperactivity or destructive tendencies.
Invest more of yourself in your pit bull puppy when you can, and you’ll likely find a more stimulated, satisfied, and calmer companion in return.
5 Key Reasons Why Pit Bulls Can Be So Energetic
Let’s delve into why Pit Bulls are often energetic. Of course, energy levels vary among individual dogs and for some, hyperactivity might be more of a concern than others. Here are the key factors to consider with your Pit Bull’s behavior.
- It’s in Their Nature
Pit Bulls are historically active and hardworking dogs. They are often full of energy and require consistent physical and mental engagement. So, a certain level of hyperactivity is typical and expected for this breed.
- Inadequate Exercise
Most Pit Bull owners are aware that their dogs need substantial daily exercise. Ideally, a Pit Bull should receive intensive exercise twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Starting the day with exercise can significantly help maintain a calmer demeanor throughout the day.
- Lack of Mental Stimulation
Physical exercise alone isn’t enough; mental stimulation is just as important for tiring out your Pit Bull. Engage their minds through training, socialization, and interactive games. Overlooking this can lead to a restless and discontent Pit Bull.
- Too Much Time Alone
Pit Bulls thrive on companionship and do not appreciate extended periods of isolation. Long stretches without company can lead to frustration, stress, and hyperactivity. Your Pit Bull’s excitable behavior upon your return might be a reaction to loneliness.
- Unintentionally Encouraging Hyperactivity
Reacting to your Pit Bull’s hyperactivity by immediately playing with them or giving them attention might unintentionally reinforce their hyper behavior. Instead, try to identify and address the root cause, whether it’s lack of exercise, mental stimulation, or companionship. By proactively managing these factors, you can reduce their hyperactive episodes.
When Will You Get a Calmer Pit Bull?
In these kinds of issues, managing our own expectations is also important.
I’ve encountered owners in the past on the verge of despair because their pit bull puppy seemed incessantly energetic. In reality, these were just cases of a puppy, being, well, a typical puppy!
The fact is that most puppies are energetic, which is entirely normal… Especially pit bull puppies, who are renowned for their boundless vitality.
This sentiment was echoed by numerous pit bull owners and breeders I consulted while preparing this article. The consensus was to “anticipate your pit bull to be energetic, and understand that it’s just typical behavior for them.”
Interestingly, when I’ve inquired about puppy hyperactivity to owners of various breeds, at least one response is often about “valuing their energetic phase as it’s fleeting, and one day you’ll look back fondly on it.”
This perspective provides some insightful food for thought.