[00:00:00] Staci Lemke: Hello puppy parents and welcome back to The Well-Mannered Mutt podcast. Today we’re diving into a topic every new puppy owner needs to hear. What happens when your puppies had too much and how to spot the signs before things spiral outta control. If your puppy is suddenly bouncing off the walls barking, nonstop, biting like a little land shark, or completely blowing off cues that they definitely know, it’s not that they’re being bad.
[00:00:28] Staci Lemke: It’s more likely that they’ve had too much, too much excitement, too much stimulation. Too much newness, and just like an overtired toddler, they’re not gonna ask for a nap. They’re gonna have a meltdown. So today we’re gonna talk about what too much actually looks like. How much activity is appropriate for puppies and what to do when your pup hits their limit?
[00:00:52] Staci Lemke: Welcome to the Well-Mannered Mut Podcast. I’m Stacey Lemke, certified professional dog trainer, registered veterinary technician, and proud owner of Manners for muts dog training. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve helped countless dog owners just like you, build stronger, happier relationships with their furry friends.
[00:01:12] Staci Lemke: From private lessons to online courses, I’m here to help make life with your dog easier and more rewarding. I believe in training that is kind. Fun and scientifically proven positive reinforcement is at the core of everything I do because it’s the most effective way to teach your dog while strengthening your bond.
[00:01:31] Staci Lemke: Whether you’re tackling basic training, solving behavior challenges, or just looking for tips to keep your pup thriving. You are in the right place. So let’s dive into today’s episode and take the first step toward having the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of. Puppies get overloaded fast.
[00:01:51] Staci Lemke: They’re like toddlers. They soak up everything. But their ability to process and regulate is still developing. And when they hit their limit, they don’t always crash quietly. They spiral into chaos. One minute they’re sweet and sleepy. The next, they’re flying around the house like a tornado. You’re not imagining it.
[00:02:10] Staci Lemke: You’re calm. Pup really can turn into a bity, zoomy chaos. Gremlin in 10 seconds flat. This isn’t bad behavior, it’s overstimulation. When their little nervous systems are flooded, they don’t know how to downshift. They lose the ability to calmly manage their emotions and energy. Instead of quietly shutting down or resting, they might get hyperactive and uncontrollably zoom around, start biting or nipping more aggressively, bark excessively, or become otherwise vocal.
[00:02:41] Staci Lemke: Jump on people or furniture wildly lose focus completely and ignore your cues and show signs of stress, like whining, trembling, or trying to hide. So let’s talk about the top three signs that your puppies had too much. They get wild Bity or zoom. Again, this is a nervous system overload. Puppies who are overtired or overstimulated often lash out with play, biting, barking, or random high-speed zoomies.
[00:03:11] Staci Lemke: It’s their way of saying, I don’t know what to do with all this energy. They stop listening. You ask for a sit. And they look at you like you’ve got two heads. You know, they know it, but now they can’t seem to be able to do it. It’s because their brain is fried. Puppies lose focus quickly, especially after new experiences or long play times.
[00:03:31] Staci Lemke: It’s not defiance, it’s fatigue. And number three, they act nervous. Whiny or try to hide. This is especially common during outings or socialization. A puppy might seem fine at first, but then start clinging to you. Ducking behind your legs or shutting down. That’s your cue that this is too much, too fast and they need a break, not more exposure.
[00:03:54] Staci Lemke: So how much activity is too much? Let’s talk activity guidelines, because puppies need stimulation, but it’s really easy to overdo it. So let’s start with physical activity. A good rule of thumb is five minutes per month of age, twice a day, and this is just a guideline. Many puppies will handle more just fine and many need less.
[00:04:17] Staci Lemke: So a three month old pup might do 15 minutes of walking or structured play twice a day. That doesn’t include running around the house a yard. This only refers to intentional outings or set up play sessions. Mental activity, keep training sessions short, like three to five minutes at a time. Two to four sessions a day is plenty, especially if you mix in enrichment like snuffle mats, frozen Kongs or li mats.
[00:04:42] Staci Lemke: Mental work is super tiring for puppies, so you wanna watch for slower responses, wandering off, frustration or barking. These are signs that they’re done, even if you still feel like training. And for puppies, rest is just as important as activity. Most puppies need 16 to 18 hours of sleep every day, and by day, I mean within a 24 hour period, they need naps.
[00:05:09] Staci Lemke: If your puppy is getting cranky in the evening, hello, witching hour, chances are they’re overtired. Just like toddlers, overtired, puppies struggle to regulate themselves. And often show it through barking, nipping, or bouncing off the walls. It’s important that your puppy has a quiet place to rest and recharge someplace away from the household activity if necessary.
[00:05:33] Staci Lemke: And what do we do when your puppy’s had enough? It’s surprisingly easy to miss the subtle signs that your puppy is running on empty, especially because puppies are naturally energetic and curious. At first, they might seem fine. Even happy and engaged. But underneath all that excitement, their little bodies and brains can be getting tired without obvious warning.
[00:05:55] Staci Lemke: Then suddenly without much notice, they flip a switch. They might start spinning in circles, nipping your pant legs like they’re on a sugar high or completely ignoring everything you say. Even cues that they usually respond to right away. This abrupt change can feel frustrating or confusing, but it’s actually your puppy’s way of telling you, I’ve reached my limit.
[00:06:17] Staci Lemke: Their nervous system is overloaded, and their usual self-control has gone out the window. Recognizing those early signs before the full meltdown happens is the key to helping your puppy calm down and avoid stress once you learn to recognize it. The next step is helping them settle down. Nobody ever gets a puppy and says, I can’t wait to clean up my first potty mess.
[00:06:41] Staci Lemke: If you are a new puppy owner, you know that potty training can be frustrating and stressful for both you and your new puppy. If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed with puppy potty training, then my online course, easy peasy, puppy potty training is for you. In this course, you’ll get step-by-step instructions on how to potty train your puppy with less stress and less mess.
[00:07:03] Staci Lemke: Head over to manners for mutts.com/potty training to learn more. The next step is helping them settle down, and here’s how to do that. Offer a quiet place to rest. Create a safe, cozy spot we your puppy can decompress. That might be a covered crate in a quiet room, a playpen with soft bedding and a chew toy or a blanket in the corner of the living room.
[00:07:31] Staci Lemke: The goal isn’t punishment. It’s calm, peaceful space that signals it’s okay to rest. Now, if your puppy resists resting, try a short, calming routine like slow petting, dimming the lights, or a few minutes of quiet snuggle time. Some puppies need help winding down, licking and chewing are natural stress relievers that help lower arousal.
[00:07:54] Staci Lemke: So you can offer things like a frozen topple toy stuffed with wet food, a long lasting chew, like a bully stick, or Himalayan yak chew or a lick mat smeared with plain yogurt or peanut butter. These help bridge the gap between wild and asleep, keep outings and training sessions short and sweet. More isn’t better, it’s just more, whether it’s a walk, a play date, or a training session.
[00:08:20] Staci Lemke: Your puppy will benefit from brief positive experiences that end before they’re exhausted. Try things like five to 15 minute outings, depending on the age of your puppy, three to five minute training sessions. And short socialization stops. A quick sniff at the park is really great and plenty. Watch their body language.
[00:08:41] Staci Lemke: Puppies communicate without words. They’ll show you when they’re done. If you’re paying attention, look for things like shaking off, avoiding eye contact, clinging to you, or trying to leave sudden loss of focus or energy nipping. Sparking or restlessness. When you notice these, it’s not a training failure, it’s just time to wrap it up and give them space to rest, and rest is where the magic happens.
[00:09:08] Staci Lemke: Learning doesn’t happen during activity. It happens during rest. Sleep helps puppies process new experiences, store what they’ve learned and regulate their emotions and energy. So don’t feel guilty for slowing down. Your puppy needs that quiet time. It’s not just okay to let them rest. It’s essential. So if you’ve ever found yourself thinking, why is my puppy acting so naughty lately?
[00:09:32] Staci Lemke: Or they never used to be this wild? Take a deep breath and pause for a minute. Instead of jumping straight to frustration or punishment, ask yourself, are they overtired? Are they overloaded? Are they just done for the day? Puppies don’t have the words to tell us when they’re overwhelmed or exhausted. So their naughty behavior is often just their way of saying, I need a break.
[00:09:55] Staci Lemke: When you start honoring those limits, giving your puppy the space and the rest they need, it’s like unlocking the secret to smoother training sessions, deeper bonding. And a more peaceful household. Remember, patience and understanding go a long way. Your puppy isn’t being difficult on purpose. They’re learning how to manage their big feelings and new experiences just like a toddler would.
[00:10:18] Staci Lemke: I hope this episode helps you better understand what’s driving your puppy’s behavior and gives you clear insights into why your puppy behaves the way they do. Feel free to share this podcast with anyone you know who’s raising a puppy and may benefit from the information. And as always, happy training.
[00:10:36] Staci Lemke: Thank you for joining me today and taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt. If you’ve got questions about today’s episode or an idea for a topic you’d love to hear about, let’s connect. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram at Manners for Mutts. Also, be sure to visit mannersformutts.com for links.
[00:10:56] Staci Lemke: Resources and more. If this episode helped you and your pup, I’d be thrilled if you left a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps me create even more content to support you and your furry friend. Talk to you next time.
