Miniature schnauzers are among the most active dog breeds in the United States, more so in their puppy and early adult stages – thanks to their high energy levels.
This can be a good thing, especially if you enjoy the sight of your little pet jumping here and there.
The bad news is that being hyperactive can also land your dog in trouble, starting from running into your neighbor’s backyard to printing on your wet floor with muddy paws (looking at you Winston!)
A time comes when all you need is to see your mini schnauzer relaxing calmly on the couch without disturbing anyone. But the big question is, when do miniature schnauzers calm down?
Well, the age of calming down may differ from one dog to another.
However, 12 months is the ideal age at which most mini schnauzers become adults and calm down, and they gradually simmer down even further as they enter old age as their hearing and vision decline.
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4 Common Problems Arising From Hyper Mini Schnauzers
Like a lot of other dog breeds, miniature schnauzers like playing a lot. Nevertheless, being overly active also has its woes. Check out some of them.
1. Destructiveness
You don’t know anything about hyperactive dogs if your little canine has never broken a vase you just bought. Too playful dogs can easily cause destruction, either intentionally or by accident.
2. Stubbornness
If your mini schnauzer is too busy running after everything in the house, high chances are he/she won’t listen to you. You may keep yelling the whole day, but that won’t bother your little pet.
3. Aggression
Miniature schnauzers need a lot of exercises to expend their energy. They tend to display aggressive behavior when restrained in a cage, or just in the house. Also, they prefer walking outside and socializing with humans than staying indoors.
4. Attention-seeking
Mini schnauzers like to seek attention if not trained well. This could be in the form of nipping, pawing, barking, licking, clinging, stealing, and generally being restless and all over the place.
Is it Normal for Mini Schnauzer Puppies and Adults to be Super Energetic or Hyper?
Originally, miniature schnauzers were bred to be working dogs, mainly hunting and catching rodents on farms.
As a result, they have a lot of energy right from the puppy stages into their early adulthood. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for your mini schnauzer to be super energetic.
The energy levels may reduce as the dog ages, but this is not always the case for every dog. Note that your pet may calm at earlier stages with adequate training and a platform to utilize the energy.
Here Are 5 Other Reasons Your Mini Schnauzer Won’t Calm Down
High energy levels top the list of what makes your mini schnauzer too playful and overly active. Here are five other possible reasons that you shouldn’t ignore.
- Anxiety
Mini schnauzers usually experience anxiety, mostly when you leave them alone. Signs of stress include, among others, barking, shivering, panting, howling, and running away.
A sudden change of environment or routines can also make your dog anxious, and hence it’s essential to observe your pet.
- Overstimulation
A dog may indicate hyperactivity as a result of overstimulation. For instance, an overexcited dog won’t calm down, provided the exciting stimulus is still in play.
- Need for attention
Most lapdogs want to be the center of attention to their owners. Hyperactive behavior may indicate that your dog just wants your attention.
- Health issues
A dog may find it difficult to calm down in case of sickness. Joint pain, cataracts, and other dog diseases can make your dog restless and unable to stay calm.
Hunger can also contribute to hyperactive behavior. In the worst cases, your dog could be suffering from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Lack of exercise
Mini schnauzers require daily exercise to get rid of their high energy, and I wrote a full article about Mini Schnauzers as running partners here that you might find interesting!
If your dog doesn’t calm down, chances are you didn’t at least play together, go for a walk together, or the walk wasn’t just long enough. You don’t want your schnauzer to end up like this one in the video:
Small Dog Syndrome
Little canines like mini schnauzers perceive themselves as big dogs, and you’ll often see them chasing after the larger breeds. This is the small dog syndrome.
It makes a little dog display aggressive behavior as though to indicate they won’t be bossed around.
They can either ignore commands, jump at other dogs, growl at people, and become overexcited.
Seven Helpful Tips to Calm Your Mini Schnauzer Down
1. Training
Your playful schnauzer can get in line with proper training, especially obedience training at a young age.
This way, they get to know what behaviors are acceptable and which ones are not. Training helps a great deal in calming down miniature schnauzers as well as other active dog breeds.
2. Change of Environment
Mini schnauzers don’t calm down in uncomfortable environments. For instance, a visitor coming to your home may trigger anxiety for your dog.
Ensure you create an environment that will keep your dog calm and confident or take it to a different yet more appealing place.
3. Verbal Commands
Sometimes, all your dog needs to calm down is a firm verbal command from you. Words like “stop,” “don’t,” “wait,” “hey,” can let your little canine know you’re watching and that you don’t like any of that.
This works most of the time, more so for well-trained dogs.
4. Sufficient Exercise
With high energy levels, miniature schnauzers won’t dare calm down until all of it is utilized. If you want your dog to stay calm and probably sleep the whole afternoon, go for a long walk, run, hike, or play ball games.
At least one hour per day should be enough to make your pet dog-tired.
Note that the walking time and distance should go with age, with younger puppies and adolescent dogs walking shorter distances.
You can try different exercises for your dog depending on how much time you have.
Speaking of sleeping the whole afternoon, I do have an article dedicated to Mini Schnauzer sleeping habits here if you want to learn more about that aspect of Schnauzer ownership.
5. Socialization
Taking your dog to social events and places like dog parks can help shape their behavior.
For example, when your dog socializes with other dogs and people, he/she won’t be anxious whenever other dogs or people come around.
6. Massage
In general, miniature schnauzers are affectionate dogs that will love to be pampered and cuddled. Failure to do this may provoke them to display aggressive behavior.
A simple dog massage can go a long way in calming down your pet. Scratch behind their ears, pet their tummy if they’re in the mood, see if that helps them relax.
7. Give Your Miniature Schnauzer Attention
Hyperactive dogs tend to seek attention from their owners. This could be in the form of barking, jumping, chewing, or simply running.
To solve this, you just need to give your dog some attention and reassure them that you’re still there for them. You can cuddle, watch a movie together, or play a simple indoor game like a tug of war.
Although playing a game won’t help calm them down, it will kill the anxiety resulting from a lack of attention. However, don’t hug your dog as it may increase the stress levels.
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What If You Try Ignoring Your Miniature Schnauzer?
This may sound a bit cruel but believe it, ignoring your dog’s hyperactive behavior works most of the time.
Your dog most likely becomes overly active to capture your attention. If you ignore repeatedly, he/she may see no reason for seeking attention that won’t be given after all.
Note that this may take time, and you just need to be consistent, and the canine will fall in line by himself.
Others tips to calm your mini schnauzer down include:
- Playing soothing music.
- Using an anxiety vest like this one so your pup feels more secure.
- Keeping them on a healthy diet.
- Paying a visit to the vet if health problems are suspected to be the cause of extra anxious behavior.
Final Thoughts
Old age is one inevitable reason that can make your hyper canine calm down eventually. Most of the tips highlighted above should work for your mini schnauzer.
If they don’t, you may need to seek professional assistance or simply exercise patience until your dog gets old and calms down. Otherwise, enjoy the playfulness while it lasts.