At What Age Do Cocker Spaniels Calm Down!

I recently adopted a cocker spaniel as my new fur baby.  Previously I had another breed of dog.  I don’t know too much about the breed, except that they are adorably cute and cuddly.  My cocker spaniel is around eight months old, and I wanted to know when I can expect him to calm down and be less excitable.

I decided to do some in-depth research to learn more about the breed and discover when he will become less excitable.  Here is what I found.

They are the type of dog breed that is always ready to play, go for a walk, give kisses, and anything they or their owner wants to do.   Energetic by nature, they have a hyperactive temperament that, at times, can seem exhausting. 

The good news is that there are things to remedy this behavior throughout the stages of their lives.  For potential pet owners that welcome a dog that is as energetic as loveable, this breed can make an excellent addition to any family or individuals’ life.

The cocker spaniel is a dog breed that has lots of energy to burn.  Whether it is running through the yard during playtime or barking at the squirrel they discovered in a tree; they are very energetic.  This quality, along with their cuddliness, is part of what makes them so endearing to them.

Does exercise tire the cocker spaniel out enough that they calm down?

Yes, exercise can help a cocker spaniel calm down.  The trick is to find the right type of activity and the correct amount to exhaust the cocker spaniel enough to be more relaxed.

Exercise is healthy for the cocker spaniel, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Exercise can also be an excellent way for owners and fur babies to bond and connect.  Spending quality time together on a hike or run and throwing a ball at the park can create a closer bond between the pair, which can also help calm the cocker spaniel down.

This method is an excellent choice for tiring the hyperactive cocker spaniel calm down because of their hunting heritage.  If running is something the owner enjoys, even having the cocker spaniel chase or fetch things can help tire them out.

Chasing and fetching items, like hunting, will also be a mental workout for this active breed.  When the two are combined, mental stimulation and physical activity, a cocker spaniel are more satisfied and likely to calm down.

A common mistake is when trying to tire out a dog is to think only of the physical side.  For a dog to feel satisfied with the day, there must be mental stimulation too.

What are some other methods for helping a cocker spaniel calm down?

Some other methods for calming down a cocker spaniel include playing games with them.

Traditional games of fetch and catch can work wonders, but there are many others.  For instance, dogs love to chew, and they love to eat.  What better way to stimulate them mentally and physically is to provide a toy where the owner can hide treats.

The toy hides the treat, so the dog has to find a way to get it, work at it.  This task can make their mind work to solve the puzzle while providing the continual activity that the cocker spaniel needs to be calm and less hyper.

Another way of keeping a cocker spaniel calm is by having a lot of toys or things to play with around the house and yard.  Diversity creates continual interest because there is always something new to do.   Consider changing up toys every week, so boredom is never a problem.

A fantastic way to bond with a cocker spaniel while keeping him or her calm is to find a way to include them in the household daily activities.    Play a quick and gentle game of tug-a-war while doing chores.  When gardening, hide something for him to dig up in his particular garden spot.  The possibilities are endless.

Change things up in their lives and environment often to keep interest high and boredom low.   Changing the toys around the house is a great place to start, but so are other activities.  Changing the route, walking them, or the time of day they go for a hike with you, even the dog park they go to, provides continual stimulation that tires anyone out, dog, and human.

Leave plenty of time for cuddles and snuggles.  The cocker spaniel is a dog breed that loves to cuddle and give kisses.  If they don’t share enough of these special moments with their owners or families, they can become disconnected and feel higher strung.

Sneaking extra love into the day is easy.  Try popping in a few extra pats on the head and scratches behind the ears while going about household chores or work duties for those who work from home.  Before dinner or after breakfast, share a quick snuggle on the couch, let them share those wet kisses before jumping in the shower.

There is always room for more love in a day, especially with a dog breed that thrives on attention.

Another tool for helping a cocker spaniel to calm down is by ensuring they have a comfortable place to rest.  Having their own space to unwind and relax is essential for their emotional and mental wellbeing.

Their space can be a crate or particular spot where they can rest. Unique bedding or something comfortable to lay upon and a bit of privacy is essential in those moments when they are acting hyper.

In the beginning, putting them in this place, perhaps with a treat and some praise, will show them that it is their safe place.   In the beginning, it might be best to sit beside them and offer soothing words, gentle petting, and affection.

If there is no designated spot in the home, sitting with them on a favorite chair for multiple breaks throughout the day can calm down, even if it’s only for 5 minutes.  This time can also work wonders for the cocker spaniel owner by giving them a moment to figure out what to do next.

Cocker spaniels can be tiring with their high energy needs.  Taking a break like this is as much for the owner as for the dog.

Will training help my cocker spaniel be less hyperactive and calm down?

Yes, training a cocker spaniel can help them be less hyperactive and calm down more quickly.  This should begin as early as possible for the best outcome.  Training a puppy is much easier than training a adult dog.

With proper training, a cocker spaniel can learn what expectations of them, and that good behavior gets good things, like praise and treats.  Bad behavior gets a trip to the crate or, at the very least, to favored treats.

Simple commands of Sit, Stay, and Quiet is essential for any dog to behave their best in a home setting.  The cocker spaniel is easy to train since they thrive on love and pleasing their owner.

If a cocker spaniel refuses to calm down, could it be from a health condition?

Yes.  Various illnesses can reveal themselves in behavior problems.  A cocker spaniel isn’t able to tell you where it hurts or what they are feeling, physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Breed characteristics, body language, and behaviors are usually the best way for humans to discover if they have a health problem.

The cocker spaniel breed does tend to nervous energy at times, making it harder for them to calm down.  There are exceptions to this rule; every dog is unique, including cocker spaniels.

Should a cocker spaniel owner see changes in behaviors over a period that seems out of character for their dog, it is best to take them to the veterinarian for an evaluation.

Often hyperactivity and inability to relax are easily remedied behaviors.  Investigating a cocker spaniels’ environment for changes can reveal the cause. 

Perhaps a new dog is living across the street, causing more excitability for the cocker spaniel.  Something as simple as a change to their daily schedule, like forgetting their morning walk, can make it hard for a cocker spaniel to relax and calm down.

Final Thoughts

We all struggle with excitability and difficulty relaxing sometimes.  The cocker spaniel is no exception. 

The cocker spaniel does tend to be a bit hyper and has a hard time unwinding from time to time, but the remedy for this is diversity, training, and lots of love.

Some days when their hyperactive nature is a mismatch for their owner’s exhaustion, sitting down for a good snuggle and cuddle on the couch will be the perfect remedy!