Why is my dog high energy?

We can’t ignore the role of biology, specifically hormones, in the regulation of anxiety and hyperactivity. Typically, dogs that have higher levels of hormones (possibly testosterone) struggle more with anxiety and/or impulse control (Junttila, Huohvanainen, and Tiira, 2021). There is very little scientific research on this, but I have noticed a link throughout my experience. This explains why males more commonly have issues… so what about females? Yes, females do also produce testosterone via the ovaries, and it’s not just male genitals that produce it, adrenal glands do too. Therefore, some dogs just naturally produce more than other dogs! Due to females naturally having lower testosterone, I typically find they react far better to natural remedies. 

That being said, neutering has mixed reviews when it comes to dogs and anxiety—it’s possible that early hormonal development may be the largest effecting factor. However, in some dogs, because it reduces testosterone output it can help reduce anxiety and high energy levels. From what I’ve seen, it is very rare that a dog typically gets worse upon being neutered, but not impossible. Usually, I find it either makes no difference to the dogs, or in most cases, they get better. So, if your dog does have extreme anxiety, it may be a risk worth taking as it may not actually be able to get any worse. 

Positive reinforcement only works as a training method if we can get through to our dog in the first place. If their energy is too high, whether that be anxious or excited, it is difficult to get them to concentrate on you for long enough for the methods to implement. Therefore, natural remedies can be important in bringing down the general anxiety and energy levels of a dog. You can read my blog here, with all my different training tools and natural remedies than can help your dog.

Positive and reward-based training is a great way to be able to fix your dog’s issues. We know it can be just as difficult for you, as it is for them. However, knowing where to start is extremely hard to work out! You might have been to trainers before, and had no luck, or you simply cannot afford a clinical behaviourist. Either way, applied behaviourists are probably what you need—though they’re hard to find. However, you don’t need to look any further.