How Do I Get My Springer Spaniel To Calm Down?

Springer Spaniels are wonderful dogs, but they come with a whole lot of energy. If you own one, you have probably had moments where you wondered if your dog has an off switch. The bouncing, the zoomies, the constant need to be doing something can be a lot to handle, especially if you were not fully prepared for just how active this breed can be.

Why Are Springer Spaniels So Energetic?

Before you can manage your Springer Spaniel’s energy, it helps to understand where it comes from. Springer Spaniels were bred as working gun dogs. Their job was to run through fields and thick brush to flush out game birds for hunters. This required stamina, speed, and an intense drive to keep moving. That energy and drive did not disappear when these dogs became household pets. It is hardwired into the breed.

Springer Spaniels are also highly intelligent, which means they need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise. A Springer that is bored is a Springer that is going to find ways to entertain themselves, and those ways usually involve chewing, barking, or getting into things they should not.

When Do Springer Spaniels Calm Down?

Most Springer Spaniels start to calm down around 2 to 3 years of age. The puppy and adolescent phases are the most intense when it comes to energy. During the first two years, your Springer is growing, learning, and burning through energy at an incredible rate. Once they reach maturity, the intensity does dial back, though they will always be an active breed.

Some Springer Spaniels from working lines may take even longer to settle and may maintain higher energy levels throughout their lives compared to those from show lines. If you got your dog from a working breeder, be prepared for a dog that needs more activity than the average pet.

How to Help Your Springer Spaniel Calm Down

You cannot change your Springer Spaniel’s nature, but you can manage their energy in ways that keep both of you happy. Here are the most effective strategies.

Give Them Enough Exercise

This is the number one thing you can do. Springer Spaniels need at least one to two hours of vigorous exercise every day. A casual stroll around the block is not going to cut it. They need running, swimming, fetching, or hiking to truly burn off their energy. Off leash time in a safe, enclosed area is ideal because it allows them to run at full speed and explore.

If you cannot provide off leash exercise, long walks combined with games of fetch or tug can work. The key is intensity. A 30 minute session of hard running will do more to calm your Springer than an hour of slow walking.

Provide Mental Stimulation

Physical exercise alone is not enough for this breed. Springer Spaniels are smart and need their brains engaged too. Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, training sessions, and nose work games are all excellent ways to tire out your dog mentally. Even a 15 minute training session where your Springer has to think and focus can be as tiring as a 30 minute walk.

Hide treats around the house and let your dog search for them. Teach them new tricks regularly. Rotate their toys so they do not get bored with the same ones. The more you challenge their brain, the calmer they will be at home.

Establish a Routine

Springer Spaniels do well with predictable routines. When they know what to expect throughout the day, they are less anxious and better able to settle down during downtime. Set regular times for walks, meals, play, and rest. Over time, your dog will learn when it is time to be active and when it is time to relax.

Teach a Settle Command

Training your Springer Spaniel to settle on command is incredibly useful. Start by rewarding calm behavior whenever you see it. If your dog lies down quietly, give them a treat and praise. Over time, add a verbal cue like “settle” or “relax” so they learn to associate the word with calm behavior. Practice in low distraction environments first and gradually work up to more challenging situations.

Use Crate Training

A crate can be a valuable tool for teaching your Springer Spaniel to decompress. When done correctly, the crate becomes a safe, comfortable space where your dog can relax. It is not a punishment but a cozy den where they learn to be calm. Many Springer Spaniels actually choose to go to their crate on their own once they are properly crate trained.

Avoid Reinforcing Hyper Behavior

It is easy to accidentally reinforce the behavior you are trying to reduce. If your Springer Spaniel jumps on you and you pet them or give them attention, you are rewarding the jumping. If they bark and you respond by talking to them, you are reinforcing the barking. Instead, ignore hyper behavior and wait for a moment of calm before giving attention. This teaches your dog that calm behavior gets rewarded and hyper behavior gets nothing. If your Springer loves to cuddle and be close to you, use that affection time as a reward for being calm.

Activities That Help Burn Energy

Some activities are especially good at tiring out a Springer Spaniel. Swimming is one of the best because it works the whole body and most Springer Spaniels absolutely love water. If you have access to a lake, pond, or dog friendly beach, swimming sessions can be a game changer for managing energy.

Agility training is another great option. It combines physical exercise with mental focus, which makes it doubly effective. Many Springer Spaniels excel at agility because of their natural athleticism and desire to work with their handlers.

Retrieval games tap into your Springer’s natural instincts. A ball launcher can send a ball much farther than you can throw, which means your dog gets more running in per throw. Just be careful not to overdo it, as repetitive ball chasing can strain joints over time.