Some enjoy their mornings by having coffee and a nice breakfast.
Others enjoy it by running around the room and wagging their tail without care.
And by others…I mean your dog.
Sometimes, they even wake up at dawn just to run around the house.
Keep reading to discover:
- Ways to calm a hyperactive dog.
- If being hyper can be passed down from birth.
- How being hyper is a sign of good or bad health.
- 11 real reasons why your dog is hyper every morning.
- And so much more…
Table of contents
Why is my dog hyper in the morning?
Your dog is hyper in the morning either because they have ADHD, they’re stimulated, or want to pee. Diet, temperature, breed, and boredom are other factors that contribute to this behavior. Zoomies, separation anxiety, and bathing can trigger their hyperactivity too.
9 reasons why your dog is hyper in the morning
#1: Hyperactivity and ADHD
If your dog runs in the morning for no reason, this can be due to hyperactivity. Just like children, dogs can also have this condition.
On the other hand, there is a more severe condition than hyperactivity. That is hyperkinesis (ADHD).
Based on a study, hyperactivity is when a dog is hyper and doesn’t pay attention to their dog parent. This is a behavioral condition.
ADHD is the same but not because of behavior. This means that a dog has been born with this disorder.
Then again, you shouldn’t worry that much. Hyperkinesis is very rare. But both have pretty similar symptoms.
Symptoms include:
- High energy.
- Impulsiveness.
- Lots of fidgeting.
- Easily distractible.
- Unable to pay attention.
Dogs with these conditions can be more difficult to train. But, it’s not impossible so you shouldn’t lose hope.
Active breeds such as the Border Collie and Jack Russell Terrier are more prone to ADHD. They can also be more hyperactive if they don’t get enough exercise.
#2: You gave them a bath
There is a chance that they might get hyper in the morning after you bathe them as a sign of relief. Many dogs run around once a bathing session is over.
Some dogs hate baths. Running is the way they cope with the stress after a few minutes of what they consider a “dreadful experience”.
They dislike baths because:
Tubs are slippery and their possible loss of balance can stress your dog. Dogs feel confined inside a bathtub.
The smell of shampoo is also unnatural for them. After a bath, they just want to run and roll themselves on something that smells good to them.
Some of these smells include dirt, grass, and even poop. Running and rubbing their bodies against something is also a way they dry themselves. Plus regain their natural smell.
#3: Diet
Their diet could have something to do with why they’re hyper in the morning.
They get hyper because of the fat in their diet. But, this is normal. They won’t be hyper after exercise.
Unlike humans, dogs don’t get their energy source from carbs and glucose. Instead, they get it from fat.
In fact, fats give your dog twice the energy they need than carbs and protein. Scientists recommend that 12% of a dog’s diet comes from fat.
Fats are the reason why dog food tastes and smells good for your dog. It also helps their body to absorb certain vitamins.
Another benefit of fat is it can slow your dog’s hunger. But, you shouldn’t give your dog too much fat, especially if they’re not active.
Too much fat can give your dog pancreatitis. This is the swelling of the pancreas.
Once your dog has this, they’re more prone to diabetes and a painful stomach.
Some symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Lethargy.
- Appetite loss.
- Abdominal pain.
If your dog needs more fat, they can get it from pork, chicken, lard, and eggs.
Note: Never feed your dog raw eggs because they can have salmonella.
#4: Wanting to potty
If you have a normal metabolism, you probably need to use the toilet every morning. Your dog could experience the same.
You might think that your dog is hyper. But in reality, they just want to go outside to poop or pee.
Here are signs that your dog needs to potty:
- Whining.
- Sniffing and licking groin.
- Circling around the house.
- Scratching or pawing the door.
And once your dog starts to sniff the ground, you have to take them outside. They’re searching for a spot to potty.
The best way to help your pooch is to have a routine every morning. You should go outside at the same time each day and let your dog do their thing.
#5: Separation anxiety
Does your dog lick you excessively in the morning? Do they run around once they see you wake up?
Can’t they stand being left alone? Then, your dog might be suffering separation anxiety.
They can be hyper every morning because they think that you went away. Even though you just slept in your room.
Some people think that dogs with separation anxiety are velcro dogs. But this is different.
Velcro dogs want to be with their dog parents. Dogs with anxiety get stir crazy every time their owner goes away.
But can velcro dogs have separation anxiety? Yes. In fact, a study found that velcro dogs are more prone to this condition.
Some symptoms include:
- Lethargy.
- Shivering.
- Salivation.
- Refusing to eat.
- They’re restless.
- Frequent shaking.
In other cases, they might just be excited that you’re already awake.
#6: They’re stimulated
Maybe, your dog is hyper because they’re just glad to see you. 🙂
They might just be happy that you’re finally awake. And because of this, you’ll do your daily routine together.
Or, they’re just looking forward to your daily morning walks. It could also be that they’re excited that you’re going to feed them already.
In any case, this is the lightest reason on the list. If your dog is perfectly healthy, you don’t need to worry about why they act hyper in the morning.
They might jump around you when you wake up. In other cases, they want to go near and cuddle with you while their tail wags.
Chances are they want to play with you every morning.
#7: Temperature
Weather can also play a part in why your dog is hyper. If your dog has a short coat, they might like the hot weather more.
But, if you have a long-coated dog, the sun might be more of a punishment for them. For these breeds, they might get excited when the winter comes.
There are even times where dogs get easily irritated in hot weather. A study in China found that there were more dog bite cases in a hospital during summer.
Think about it, even your mood is affected by the weather, right? You might want to hang out during summer or spring. But, you prefer watching a movie at home during rainy days.
Your dog’s first snow experience can also get them excited. Most of the time, these dogs are curious and joyful.
Here are some Husky puppies experiencing snow for the first time to brighten your day!
#8: Zoomies
Your dog might have excess energy. This is why they’re hyper during the morning.
As a result, dogs experience zoomies. This is a burst of excess energy that they have contained.
Here’s what it looks like:
Your pooch runs around in circles. This often happens in the morning after a good night’s rest.
But after the zoom, your dog will return to their calm state. They just needed the release of energy.
Most of the time, zoomies are safe. It is even a sign that your dog is healthy. Just let them run in an area without obstacles.
But, your dog can also zoom out of short-term stress. They zoom to make themselves calm.
They might zoom after a bath or a grooming session. Zoomies are only dangerous if your dog bumps into something hard.
#9: Boredom
Boredom can make your dog run around like crazy. If your dog does nothing at home, they will get bored eventually.
This boredom can worsen because they might develop destructive behaviors. Some of these behaviors are similar to separation anxiety symptoms.
And you might think that your dog is just hyper in the morning. But in reality, they’re seeking your attention by barking and whining excessively.
You should know if your dog is just bored or anxious. Then you can find the right solution for your dog’s problem.
To know if your dog is just bored, you can place a security camera in your home.
Then, observe if your dog whines and barks for more than 30 minutes. If they do, that could be a sign of anxiety.
But if they proceed to sleep or do anything to entertain themselves, they might just be bored.
Bonus: Breed
Some people might overlook this. But, your dog’s breed can be a reason why they’re hyper in the morning.
Some dogs are bred to either work or become companions of humans. And because of this, they tend to be more active during the daytime.
Dogs have different personalities and needs. And if you have an active dog, they need more physical activity than others.
Not meeting their physical needs can lead to restlessness and anxiety. They can also be more hyper at night if you don’t exercise them.
Here are some of the most active dog breeds:
- Dalmatian.
- Siberian Husky.
- Golden Retriever.
- Shetland Sheepdog.
- Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
You should also consider the age of your dog. Puppies are more active during the morning than older dogs because they have more energy.
3 tips on how to calm your hyper dog in the morning
#1: Take them outside
The best way to calm your dog is to take them outside and exercise them. Exercising them can solve nearly everything on this list.
Getting your dog outside can be a good workout for you as well. So if you think about it, it’s a win-win situation!
If your dog likes the summer or winter, make sure to take them out to see the sun or snow.
What you want to do is establish a routine outside. You don’t want to just take them outside and let them play by themselves.
Instead, tire them out by fun activities such as walking, frisbee, and even swimming. Recklessly running just makes them more excited.
Exercise can help against hyperactivity, anxiety, and boredom. And while you’re at it, make sure that your dog potties outside as well.
#2: Have a “zoom” area
You want to have a safe place where your puppy can have zoomies. For most dog parents, it’s their yard.
This is the best place for a dog to zoom around because this area has almost no obstacles your dog can bump into.
But, the yard isn’t the best place to have zoomies if your dog went for a bath. They might roll over on dirt making their bath useless.
You want them to zoom inside your house. But before zooming, you should dry them first.
Zoomies are perfectly normal and they don’t often last long. With this in mind, don’t try to chase and catch a dog experiencing zoomies.
This could only make your dog more excited.
#3: Don’t encourage it
If your dog is hyper after taking them outside, there might be behavioral problems. What you shouldn’t do is encourage this behavior.
What you want to do is ignore this behavior when they come at you excited. If you give it affection while at this state, they might think it’s a good thing.
Instead, give them affection when they’re calm. They will associate calmness with rewards.
Distracting them can also help. You can have them play with toys when they’re hyper.