Is Your Puppy Overstimulated? Here's What You Need to Know
Welcoming a puppy into your home is a joyful experience — but it can quickly become overwhelming for both you and your pup. If your puppy is displaying wild behaviour, struggling to settle, or biting more than usual, they may be overstimulated.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
Common signs of overstimulation
Why it happens
Holistic, practical ways to calm your pup
How to prevent future overstimulation
⚠️ Signs Your Puppy Is Overstimulated
Overstimulation means your puppy is receiving too much sensory input — noise, activity, or interaction — without enough rest or quiet time.
Look out for these signs:
Frantic zoomies or wild behaviour
Biting or nipping excessively
Barking or whining for no clear reason
Difficulty calming down
Jumping up or ignoring commands
Panting when not hot
Seeming overtired or restless
These behaviours aren’t signs of a “bad dog” — they’re a cry for help from a tired, overwhelmed puppy.
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🎯 Common Causes of Overstimulation
Here are some common triggers that lead to overstimulation:
🌀 Too many new experiences:
New places, people, smells, and sounds can overload your pup’s senses.
👶 Over-handling by children or visitors:
Too much excitement and touching can overwhelm young pups.
📅 Lack of a daily routine:
Puppies thrive on predictability — without it, they feel insecure and stressed.
💤 Not enough sleep:
Did you know puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep per day? Without proper rest, they become overtired and cranky.
📺 Screens, loud toys, or flashing lights:
Overexposure to stimulation like TV or noisy toys can affect behaviour and nervous system regulation.
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🛏️ How to Calm an Overstimulated Puppy
✨ Set up a calm space
Create a quiet area with a crate or bed, soft lighting, and minimal noise.
🌿 Use calming aids
Try lavender sprays, natural calming treats, or vet-approved herbal remedies.
🧸 Offer comfort through chewing
Natural chews (like our Paddock Farm calming treats) help your puppy self-soothe and settle down.
🔁 Stick to a gentle routine
Feed, walk, rest, and train at consistent times daily.
🧠 Introduce slow enrichment
Use snuffle mats or frozen toys to stimulate without overwhelming. Keep sessions short and fun.
🙅♀️ Limit stimulation
Avoid overstimulating environments and keep interactions short and calm when needed.
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✅ How to Prevent Puppy Overstimulation
A calm puppy is a happy puppy. Here’s how to maintain balance:
Stick to the 15-minute rule for play or training
Provide regular nap times in a quiet space
Introduce one new experience at a time
Avoid screens, overly loud toys, or chaotic homes
Don’t overwhelm your pup with back-to-back activities
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🐶 Support Your Puppy with Natural Solutions
At The Valley Pet Shop, we understand the ups and downs of raising a puppy. That’s why we’ve created calming, enriching solutions like our:
✨ Puppy Starter Bundle – with toys, chews & natural calming treats
🌿 Natural Chew Selection – safe and soothing for little mouths
🛏️ Foraging toys & enrichment boxes – designed to support mental health
Give your pup the calm start they deserve 🐾
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💬 Have questions about your puppy's behaviour?
Drop us a message or browse our collections for puppy-safe products designed to reduce stress and boost wellbeing.
