When will My Labrador Retriever Calm Down?

My family and I recently adopted a dog; she is a lovely Labrador retriever who enjoys splashing around with the sprinkler kids.   She enjoys family time and being outdoors with my oldest son when he goes hiking.  There are moments when she appears to be so fully wound that nothing will calm her down and help her relax.  We enjoy every moment we spend with her but are concerned that there may be a problem.  I haven’t don’t that much reading or research on the breed itself, but I need to know if and when she will calm down.

Finally, when everyone was out for the day, I was able to take a few minutes and dig up some details about this breed and their health.  Please take a moment to read through, and I hope someone else will find this helpful.

When will by Labrador retriever calm down?

Your Labrador retriever will likely calm down between two and four years when they have left the puppy stage and matured mentally, emotionally, and physically.  Their breed history as a working or hunting dog naturally promotes their desire to be moving and active. 

This breed history can cause sedate families or individuals’ problems since this isn’t a part of their genetic makeup as a breed.  When they are puppies, their energy is naturally high, like all dogs as they develop and grow into the dog they will become. 

If this is appropriately fostered, it can be a breeze to get through.  Once they mature, they settle down slightly with age. Still, characteristically they will always have natural energy and zest for life that must be channeled appropriately. 

This channeling is for the dog and everyone that lives with them.  Some dogs will settle down sooner rather than later, depending on their unique personality and temperament.

In contrast, others may take longer than the two to four-years’ time.  For dog owners with patience, understanding, and the time to devote to channeling this dog’s energy, life can be gratifying.  The Labrador retriever for a dog can bring much happiness, fun, and love to any household.

The Labrador retriever is a dog breed that was bred to work. Whether catching fish or hunting, they have the necessary energy level to get a job done well.  As a working dog breed, they have energy, stamina, and strength to do the task.

For families that struggle with being active or spend a great deal of time sitting around the house, this breed can cause problems.  They need a combination of physical activity as well as mental activity to be healthy and happy.

Time, patience, and understanding must be given to this dog breed and the proper channeling of their energies.

Once they are adequately trained, and socialized owners can work daily with them to promote healthy activity and a natural release of this energy.  This work can be accomplished easily outdoors through sports and other activities.

Simple activities of tossing a frisbee in the yard can also work wonders for exhausted their physical capacities. Still, mental abilities must also be challenged.  Hiding treats in the yard for them to find or unique toys designed to stimulate their minds can work wonders in this area.

For any dog to be happy and healthy, regardless of breed, they must have mental stimulation and physical just like us humans.  They should also receive enough love and attention to feel emotionally content.

Does age play a role in how easy or hard it is for them to calm down?

Yes, age can play a role in how easy or hard it is for them to calm down.  Puppies are naturally full of energy, but this energy is usually in small bursts, followed by times of napping or short breaks.  As they grow and wean gradually from their mother, they become more curious about the world around them.

This curiosity will find them exploring what is around them as well as getting into the occasional trouble.  This behavior will continue for some time after being weaned from the Labrador retrievers’ mother but can be properly channeled.

Channeling for the puppy can include visits to the yard, short walks as well as fun games, playtime and toys with their family.

Once they are a fully grown dog, the Labrador retriever will still have that natural energy that is characteristic of this breed.  At this time longer trips outdoors, sports, and lengthier indoor play sessions and trips to the dog park can help tire them mentally and physically.

If the Labrador retriever owner can find a task or job for them to do, this will be even better.   Tasks such as fetching something, a newspaper, a shoe, or anything play into their natural breeding.

This activity can be taught using commands similar to the traditional training of sit, stay, and come.  Using the newspaper as the item, one might say, “go get the paper.”  Showing them what “paper” will be is vital.  This learning can take repeated lessons, and over time they will associate “paper” with what you want.

After some time, you can speak the command, and they will instinctively retrieve what you ask.   The Labrador retriever feels like they are working; you are getting what you need. It plays perfectly into their breeding as a retriever.

Any item can be used, as can multiple items.  Patience must be given as they learn what each item IS, but it will be a breeze once this is done.  This experience can also be fun for other family members to participate.

The Labrador retriever will look forward to the task, and it will naturally work their mind and body, exhausting them.  A happy, hard-working dog is a naturally calmer dog.

Older Labrador retrievers will still have puppy-like energy, but this will likely be at a slower pace. An excellent healthy walk around the neighborhood or trip to the dog park, followed by playtime with some specialized toys, will bring happiness.  Follow this with a weekly hiking trip or outdoor activity, and the senior Labrador retriever will be happy and content.

Does diet affect how easily they calm down?

Yes, diet can always play a role in a dog’s overall health.  The Labrador retriever must be fed a diet that enhances their overall health, not diminish it.  With so much energy to expel, they need plenty of nutrients and the right kind to keep them charged and healthy.

When it comes to energy, if they eat a poor diet riddled with excessive treats or the wrong food, they can end up feeling mentally energetic while physically drained.

This situation can be a horrible recipe for them and their family.  It can cause discomfort, which can bring out negative behaviors that make more grief than good.

Consulting their veterinarian about what is a healthy diet for the individual Labrador retriever is always best.  The veterinarian will not only know the breed history but also understand the unique individual dog.

What else affects when a Labrador retriever calms down?

Many things, besides diet and age, can affect when the Labrador retriever calms down.  The most often overlooked area is the environment.

The environment that the Labrador retriever lives in can add to their energy or help them relax.  A lawnmower that is running, loud music playing, family arguments can cause stress. 

Dancing, kids playing, and other physical activities are natural invitations to join in the fun.  The squirrel outside the window or the ball rolling across the living room floor causes interest and distractions.

Any form of disturbance can distract the Labrador retriever and make it hard for them to relax or calm down.  Whether physical, visual, or noise, these disturbances can keep the naturally active Labrador retriever revved up.

These activities aren’t necessarily harmful and often a natural part of life.  In those situations where the owner or family wants their Labrador retriever to calm down, it can be challenging.  This situation depends on the individual dog, personality, and temperament.

Individual families may find it beneficial when their Labrador retriever refuses to settle to put them in an area where they are removed from these distractions.

If this can’t be accomplished, sitting with them in a quiet area and sharing some loving attention will provide a break for dogs and humans.

Health also plays a part in their activity level.  Healthy dogs will have more energy, but unhealthy dogs can also suffer from nervous energy because they aren’t feeling well.  Excessive nervousness or inability to calm down after a full day of activity can signal something else going on.

Visiting their veterinarian for a thorough examination can help discover if some hidden issue or health problem exists.

Final Thought

While every dog will have a natural zest for life and living it, the Labrador retriever will have more.

Depending on their family, this can either be a welcome trait or a struggle.

Proper channeling is often all that is needed to exhaust their mind and body.  When this is done, harmony flows naturally, and the Labrador retriever will be a more calm and happy dog!