How do I get my dog to stop playing and calm down?

Teaching a dog that won’t settle to lie down when asked on a mat or dog bed gives them and you time to switch off and chill out. Giving time for your dog to settle and relax allows Glutamate, which is linked with brain development, cognition, learning and memory, to rise. It also releases Dopamine, which makes them feel good. This exercise should be calm and collected, practice at a time when your dog is already tired, encouraging calm behaviour from your dog. Remember to go at your dog’s pace. If they move away from the mat or break their down position go back a step and lure them back into position. Gradually include distractions and practice in different locations, using your dog’s mat as a cue to settle. Step seven Gradually include distractions and practice in different locations, using your dog’s mat as a cue to settle.

I will usually separate and crate them twice a day to make them take a naptime. Will also kennel one or both as needed when they get to be too crazy. Another tactic that I find works, especially for food motivated dogs, is having a treat session. I call all the dogs over to me and start handing out little treat bites for the dogs that will sit. It refocuses their attention for a few minutes to something other than their best buddy. When I have this problem with my own dogs, I get them to sit and lie down and keep them there for a moment so they have a chance to calm down. Usually doing this a few times will lead to them acting more calm all around. You could also try a lot of focused exercise. Puppies can't take long walks, but a game of catch or something similar will tire them out. Also, force the naps. They need to sleep, just like toddlers. Some tactics I've used when supervising dog play include physical separation - crates and baby gates are my lifesaver. Sometimes dogs, especially puppies, are exhausted and nearing a 'meltdown' but like toddlers, don't realize they're tired, so by physically separating them they will usually fall asleep and everyone can have a breather.

When dogs are 'playing' we need to watch their body language in order to truly see how a dog is feeling about that 'play' and to ensure that both dogs are enjoying the interaction. Shake-off's (this usually happens when arousal levels have got too high and is a signal to the other dog that play needs to calm down or that they'd rather it stop). Remember dogs should not be allowed to just 'work it out between themselves'. As dog guardians, we must monitor their interactions and intervene if we feel it is necessary so that your dog and the those they are playing with stay safe and only learn appropriate play behaviour. It is worth mentioning however, that rough play doesn't necessarily mean that you have an aggressive dog but just bear in mind that the way they play, could result in an aggressive interaction. Therefore, always look for reciprocated, fair and even play and intervene if that play is appearing to be one-sided or where any party is looking more over aroused than the other.

The first step to calming your dog is to calm yourself. If you are excited, frustrated, or angry, your dog will react to that. So calm yourself, take some deep breaths or even walk away for a few minutes. Then come back and work with your dog. Practice your dog’s obedience skills, especially sit, down, and stay. When your dog can do this, then, with a leash on him, interrupt play and ask him to down and stay in one of the spots. After a few minutes, release him and let him play again. The play becomes a reward for holding still. During the day, when your dog is relaxed and calm on his own, reward him, quietly tell him, “Good boy!” Drop a treat in front of him or reach down and rub his ears. I would toss his ball for him with his leash on, letting him drag it as he played. After a few throws of the ball, I would gently take hold of the leash and then, using a treat as a cue, I asked him to sit. When he sat he got the treat, verbal praise, and some gentle slow petting. I used gentle and slow petting to calm him. Gradually I increased the time I asked him to hold the sit before I released him to play again. If, at some point during his play, he became over-stimulated, I stepped in and interrupted the play. I would give him a gentle massage, or just hold him, or I would put him in his crate for a time out. The time out isn’t punishment, but rather it’s a time for him to relax.