Got a dog who goes from zero to tornado the second someone says “walk” or rings the doorbell? You’re not alone. Over-excited dogs aren’t bad — they just don’t know how to handle all that big energy yet. Good news: with a few simple strategies (and some brain-boosting games), you can help your dog calm down without losing your own mind. I’ll even show you a shortcut that busy dog moms swear by.

Because ‘Calm Down’ Isn’t Working (Yet)

You know how kids get when they hear the ice cream truck coming?
Multiply that energy by about 100, stuff it into a furry body, and that’s an over-excited dog.

One second they’re calmly sniffing the floor.
The next second?
Total chaos.

• Barking
• Zooming around the house
• Jumping on everyone
• Knocking over whatever’s in their path (including, probably, your coffee)

It’s like they’re powered by a mixture of pure adrenaline and bad decisions.

If you’re dealing with a dog who turns into a Tasmanian devil every time something remotely exciting happens — you are not a bad dog mom.
And you definitely aren’t alone.

The good news?
Your dog can learn to handle their big feelings — without you needing to move into a bigger house or invest in a lifetime supply of sedatives.

Let’s talk about what’s actually going on when dogs lose their minds — and what you can do to help them settle the heck down (without turning your living room into a training camp).

Why Some Dogs Go from Chill to Chaotic in 0.2 Seconds

Dogs don’t really have an “off switch” built in.

Sure, they know how to sit, stay, and lie down when life is predictable…
but the second something exciting happens — like a knock at the door, a leash coming out, or a new person showing up — all that polite training flies out the window.

Here’s what’s really happening:
Over-excited dogs get overwhelmed by their own happy emotions.
They don’t want to be naughty. They’re just physically incapable of self-soothing yet.

It’s basically the dog version of a toddler at a birthday party after three cupcakes and a Capri Sun:

• Too much excitement
• Zero chill
• No idea how to regulate themselves

The energy has to go somewhere.
So it comes out as jumping, barking, nipping, spinning, zooming — all the fun stuff you get to explain to your guests while wrestling your dog off their pants leg.

But don’t worry:
Self-control can absolutely be taught.
(And no, you don’t have to become a professional dog trainer to make it happen.)

Simple Ways to Help Your Dog Calm Down Faster

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff — how you can actually help your dog settle down before they take out another floor lamp.

1. Practice Calm Before the Chaos

The trick is starting before your dog reaches “turbo mode.”
If you know the doorbell or grabbing the leash sends them into orbit, practice getting calm when things are still boring.

• Pick up the leash — then just sit down.
• Ring the doorbell yourself — and reward your dog for not losing it.
• Do tiny “fake” excitement drills so your dog learns: excitement = sit calmly, not bounce off the walls.

Basically, you’re teaching them that not every exciting thing = full-scale rager.
(If only this worked on kids at birthday parties too, right?)

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2. Teach a “Settle” Command

One of the best things you can teach your dog is a “settle” — like a little chill-out button you can press when life gets wild.

• Pick a mat, blanket, or dog bed.
• Reward your dog for going there and relaxing — even for a few seconds at first.
• Gradually work up to them staying calm for longer while chaos happens around them.

It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a total game-changer when you’re trying to stop the zoomies from taking over your living room every time a guest walks through the door.

3. Work Their Brain, Not Just Their Legs

Here’s the thing no one tells you when you bring a dog home:
You can walk them for an hour and still have a dog bouncing off the walls if their brain didn’t get any exercise.

Physical tiredness is great.
But mental tiredness?
That’s the golden ticket.

Dogs love to problem-solve.
When you give their brain a little workout — whether it’s solving a simple puzzle or learning a new trick — you burn off that wild energy in a way that actually sticks.

And honestly, who has time to invent brand new games every day?
(You’re already inventing dinner with three random pantry items and half a box of pasta.)

That’s why programs like Brain Training for Dogs are such a lifesaver —
👉 It’s full of easy, fun brain games that work your dog’s brain and body without adding a bunch of extra work to your plate. You can check it out here.

It’s like giving your dog a little mental yoga class…
and giving yourself five blessed minutes of peace.

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4. Short Calmness Breaks Throughout the Day

Think of it like little “reset” moments.

Instead of waiting until your dog is already losing their mind, work short calm breaks into their regular day:

• A few minutes of quiet time on their mat
• A quick “settle” practice while you’re folding laundry
• A calm sniffari walk around the backyard instead of an all-out run

You’re basically helping them practice being calm just like you help kids practice inside voices (which, you know, sometimes works).

The more your dog learns that chilling out gets rewarded,
the more natural it becomes for them to hit the brakes before they go full zoomies.

Progress Over Perfection (and Why Your Dog Isn’t Broken)

Here’s the part a lot of dog moms need to hear (especially on the days when you’re googling “can dogs have ADHD”):

Your dog isn’t broken.
They’re not bad.
They’re not trying to make your life harder.

They’re just figuring out how to handle big feelings —
kind of like toddlers in tiny fur coats.

And just like with kids, learning self-control is a process, not an overnight switch.

Some days you’ll feel like a dog training wizard.
Other days your dog will spin around in circles because you breathed too loud.
It’s all part of the ride.

The real magic is in the little wins:

• A slightly calmer greeting at the door
• A few extra seconds of quiet after picking up the leash
• One less coffee spill from excitement zoomies

Every small moment of calm adds up to big changes over time.
Promise.

And if you want a little backup on this wild ride?
👉 Brain Training for Dogs has your back with step-by-step games and tricks that actually work in real-life, mom-life chaos.
(Plus, it’s way cheaper than hiring a trainer or building a soundproof house.)

Because Calm Is Possible (Even on the Crazy Days)

Helping an over-excited dog learn to chill out isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about stacking little moments of calm — even on the messy, loud, cracker-crumb-on-the-floor days.

You don’t need to be a dog trainer. You don’t need hours of free time. You just need a few simple tools, a little patience, and maybe some good treats (for both of you).

And if you want an easy, ready-to-go plan to help your dog and save your sanity?
👉 Brain Training for Dogs is packed with fun games that’ll have your pup thinking, learning, and calming down faster than you can say “who’s a good boy?”

You’ve got this, Mama. 🐾💛