Quick Take
- This dog isn't really walking so much as doing something that barely qualifies as ground-based movement. Watch the bouncing dog →
- Excitement isn't always innocent. There's a point where a happy dog crosses into territory that needs professional attention. See when excitement becomes a problem →
- One simple thing you do on every walk could actually be making your dog more hyper, not less. Find out what's backfiring →
- Some breeds were built for chaos, and their history explains exactly why the leash makes them lose their minds. Explore breed energy history →
Some dogs hear the word “walk” and calmly head for the door. This pup apparently missed that memo. The second it’s time to head outside, the excited dog starts bouncing into the air again and again while its owner follows behind.
Honestly, walking may not even be the right word for what this dog is doing. There is a fair amount of flying involved.
Watch This Dog Bounce Down the Street
The video shows the pup repeatedly springing into the air as it moves down the street with its owner. Whatever is waiting at the end of this walk, this dog certainly seems convinced it is worth getting excited about.
Dogs can show excitement in all sorts of ways. Some wag their entire bodies, some bark or whine, and others get a sudden case of the zoomies. Seeing the leash or realizing that a walk is about to begin can be enough to send an enthusiastic dog into overdrive.
Can Dogs Get Too Excited?
They can. Trainers and veterinary behavior professionals often use the term “arousal” to describe a dog’s level of emotional activation. Excitement is not necessarily a problem, but a highly aroused dog may have trouble listening, settling down, or controlling behaviors such as jumping and barking.
Context matters, though. Panting, whining, pacing, jumping, or barking do not automatically mean a dog is dangerously overstimulated. Panting can happen because a dog is hot, exercising, excited, stressed, or even uncomfortable. Body language and the situation around the behavior are important.
Exercise itself is also not the enemy. Dogs need regular physical activity and mental stimulation for their health and well-being. The issue for some dogs is that nonstop high-intensity excitement can make it difficult to switch gears and relax afterward.
How to Help an Excited Dog Settle Down
Reward-based leash training can help dogs learn to walk calmly while still enjoying their surroundings.
©Reddogs/Shutterstock.com
One of the best approaches is to reward the behavior you actually want. Veterinary behavior experts recommend reinforcing calm behaviors such as sitting, lying down, or settling on a mat rather than simply punishing jumping or barking.
Loose-leash training can help too. Rewarding a dog for checking in with its owner, staying nearby, and walking without pulling teaches it what works. Letting dogs stop and sniff can also be valuable. Sniffing provides mental stimulation and can help turn a frantic walk into something more relaxed.
If a dog regularly becomes so worked up that it cannot settle, responds aggressively, or seems distressed, it is worth talking with a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional. What looks like simple excitement can sometimes be frustration, fear, anxiety, or another issue that needs a different approach.
Are Some Dog Breeds More Energetic?
Every dog is an individual, but genetics and breed history can influence energy level, vocal behavior, and how much stimulation a dog needs.
Beagles, for example, were bred to hunt in packs and tend to be energetic, social, and famously vocal. They usually do best when they get plenty of opportunities to exercise, sniff, and use their brains.
Cairn terriers are another busy bunch. The breed originated in Scotland as a working terrier used to pursue small animals around rocky terrain. Modern Cairns are still known for being curious, alert, and eager to investigate whatever is happening around them.
Then there are Yorkshire terriers. They may be tiny, but nobody seems to have told them. Yorkies are energetic, intelligent, and often quite vocal. Like other lively dogs, they benefit from walks, training, play, and enough mental stimulation to give all that enthusiasm somewhere useful to go.
As for the dog in the video, sometimes there is a much simpler explanation: walk time is apparently the greatest thing that has ever happened.
