You may have fallen in love with a cute, fluffy Labradoodle puppy, only to realize that you got a crossbreed known for their high energy level and playful personality. As adorable as they may be, keeping up with a rambunctious Labradoodle can be challenging, especially if you’re concerned about when they will finally calm down. Usually, a Labradoodle will start to settle down when they reach adulthood, between 1 and 3 years old. In this article, we go over everything that you need to know about when your Labradoodle will calm down and how to make the transition easier for you and your pup.
Are Labradoodles Hyper?
Labradoodles can be high-energy. They love to run and play, and they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Depending on the size, age, and individual energy level of your pup, daily walks or runs along with play, training, and enrichment activities can help keep them active and healthy. The good news is that Labradoodles are also known for being loyal and loving companions, which means a calm demeanor isn’t out of the question when their physical, mental, and social needs are consistently met.
Understanding the Breeding
As a hybrid cross (a mix) between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard or Miniature Poodle, Labradoodles can exhibit a variety of personality traits that depend on their genetics, early socialization, and environment. In general, they tend to be highly social, intelligent, and active, but it’s also not uncommon for them to have a mischievous streak or a tendency to bark. If you’re struggling to manage your Labradoodle’s energy level, it may be helpful to research the specific breeding of your puppy and what traits you can expect from them, as well as their early life experiences and current lifestyle.
How Size Influences Maturity and Lifespan
Because Labradoodles may be bred from either Miniature or Standard Poodles, their adult size can vary significantly, and size plays an important role in development and longevity. Smaller Labradoodles (from Miniature Poodle lines) typically reach physical and behavioral maturity earlier, often around 12–18 months, while larger Labradoodles (from Standard Poodle lines) may take closer to 18–36 months to fully mature.
Size also influences lifespan. Smaller dogs generally live longer, often 12–16 years or more, whereas larger dogs tend to have shorter average lifespans, commonly around 10–14 years. This variation in size is one of the main reasons Labradoodles show such a broad range in both maturity timelines and life expectancy.
When Will My Labradoodle Calm Down?
Typically, Labradoodles start to settle down when they reach adulthood, typically between 1 and 3 years old. During this period, you may notice your pup become less impulsive, better able to regulate their energy, and more relaxed. This should be a relief for owners concerned about their pet’s high energy levels!
The Puppy Stage
Like all puppies, Labradoodles go through a phase known as the “puppy stage,” where they’re full of boundless energy and curiosity. Depending on the individual dog, this stage can last for several months, up to a year or more. During this time, it’s important to establish a routine and a set of rules for your puppy to follow, such as crate training, leash training, and basic obedience commands using positive reinforcement methods. Consistency and patience are key to helping your Labradoodle learn how to develop appropriate behaviors and impulse control in a positive way. The more work you do when they’re young, the less stress you’ll have when they’re older.
Socialization and Exercise
Labradoodles thrive on social interaction and outdoor exercise, so ensuring they’re getting enough of both is important. Taking your Labradoodle puppy to puppy classes, dog parks, and other socialization opportunities can help them build positive associations and appropriate social skills and learn how to positively interact with other dogs and people. Additionally, providing plenty of opportunities for physical exercise, such as walking, running, or playing ball, along with mental enrichment activities, can help your Labradoodle stay healthy and happy—and may even help promote relaxation in the evening.
Spaying / Neutering
Getting your puppy spayed or neutered when they are old enough will help reduce the risk of certain hormone-related behaviors, including roaming, mounting, or urine marking, and may reduce the likelihood of some mating-related or intermale aggression. Spaying or neutering reduces a dog’s reproductive hormone levels, which primarily affects sexually influenced behaviors. As a bonus, the procedure helps with population control and may provide certain health benefits.
The Adult Years
Eventually, your Labradoodle will transition into adulthood—usually around 18 to 36 months of age, depending on size and individual development—and their energy level and impulse control should start to settle down. If you’ve been consistent with obedience training, socialization, and exercise, you may find that your pup’s behavior improves as they mature. They’ll still need plenty of activity to stay happy and healthy, but the intensity should become more manageable.
Collecting Cues
When your Labradoodle does start to calm down, it’s important to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors. Collecting cues, or noticing when your dog does something desirable, like lying down peacefully or playing calmly with a toy, can help you reinforce these behaviors with praise or treats. Conversely, avoid reinforcing any undesirable behaviors, like jumping up or barking excessively, even if it’s just to scold them. This can increase attention to the behavior or create fear, anxiety, or confusion, which may worsen behavior or affect your dog’s trust.
Patience Is Key
It’s important to remember that every puppy is different, and some Labradoodles may take longer to calm down than others. Additionally, factors like age, diet, sleep schedule, and health status can all impact your pup’s energy level and behavior. While it may be frustrating to deal with a rambunctious Labradoodle, remember to be patient and consistent in your training. Your dog will eventually develop better impulse control and behavioral regulation as they mature, and with consistent guidance.
The 10 Tips to Help Burn Off Your Labradoodle’s Puppy Energy
A dog that gets enough exercise and mental enrichment doesn’t struggle with pent-up energy that causes behavioral problems, so here are a few tips to help burn off your Labradoodle’s puppy energy:
- Go for daily walks: Regular walks are essential to helping your Labradoodle learn how to focus and get used to the sights, smells, and sounds of the world around them.
- Play active games: Games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek can help burn off excess energy in a fun way.
- Sign up for doggy daycare: If you’re not able to spend all day with your Labradoodle, consider signing them up for doggy daycare, where they can have supervised playtime with other dogs and people.
- Keep treats handy: Having rewards on hand is an easy way to reinforce positive behaviors; just make sure you don’t overdo it with the treats and account for them in your dog’s daily calorie intake!
- Take them swimming: Swimming is a great way to burn energy and have fun, and it can help strengthen your dog’s muscles while being low-impact for the joints.
- Attend puppy classes: Puppy classes are an excellent way to socialize your Labradoodle and teach them basic obedience commands that can help keep them developing impulse control and appropriate responses when they get too excited.
- Offer interactive toys: Toys like Kongs or puzzles can help keep your pup entertained by stimulating their mind and providing something for them to chew on.
- Give them a job: Giving your Labradoodle tasks like nose work games, food-search activities, or fetching things from around the house will help keep their minds active and burn off excess energy.
- Provide them with plenty of playtime: Spending quality time playing with your pup is a great way to bond, and it will help keep them happy and mentally stimulated.
- Make sure they get enough sleep: Just like humans, dogs need to get enough rest in order to stay healthy and happy. Try setting up a regular sleeping schedule for your Labradoodle if you can!
Summary
If you’re wondering when your Labradoodle will calm down, the answer is that it depends. Genetics, training, socialization, exercise, and other factors can all play a role in your dog’s energy level and behavior. However, generally, Labradoodles calm down when they reach adulthood. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help your Labradoodle transition from a rambunctious puppy to a well-behaved, happy adult dog. Remember to be patient, consistent, and loving, and your dog will gradually develop calmer behavior with maturity and consistent guidance.
Featured Image Credit: gbellphotos, Shutterstock
Are Labradoodles Hyper?
