The puppy witching hour, often referred to as ‘evening zoomies’ or ‘puppy madness’, is a common phase. Puppies become overly energetic, bitey, and difficult to settle, typically in the late afternoon or evening. To survive this challenging period, you need to implement a consistent routine of appropriate exercise, mental stimulation, and enforced calm-down periods.
What Exactly is the Puppy Witching Hour?
The puppy witching hour describes a period, usually in the evening. Puppies seem to lose all sense of calm and become incredibly hyperactive, nippy, and restless. It is not a literal ‘hour’. It can last anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, often coinciding with when you might be trying to relax after your day.
During this time, your sweet, sleepy puppy might transform into a land shark. They zoom around the house, ignore commands, and seem incapable of settling down. It is a completely normal developmental stage. It is not a sign of a ‘bad’ puppy, but it can certainly test your patience.
How Long Does the Puppy Witching Hour Last?
The puppy witching hour typically begins when a puppy is around 8 to 12 weeks old. It can last until they are about 4 to 6 months old, though some puppies might experience it for a bit longer. The intensity and duration for a puppy witching hour how to survive can vary significantly from one puppy to another.
For most puppies, this phase naturally diminishes as they mature and learn self-control. Consistency in training and management during these early months is key to helping them through it. While it feels endless when one is in the thick of it, it is a temporary phase.
Why Do Puppies Have a Witching Hour?
Puppies experience the witching hour for several reasons, primarily linked to their developmental stage, energy levels, and learning how to regulate themselves. It is a combination of factors, not just one single cause.
Firstly, puppies have immense energy. They sleep a lot, but when awake, they need to burn it off. If they haven’t had enough exercise or mental stimulation, this pent-up energy often explodes in the evening, a puppy witching hour to survive.
Secondly, puppies are still learning about their bodies and how to interact with the world. They are exploring their boundaries, testing their teeth, and often get overstimulated. The evening can be a time of increased activity in a household, with people coming home, dinner being prepared, and general hustle and bustle, which can contribute to a puppy’s overstimulation, bringing up the topic of how to survive a puppy witching hour.
Thirdly, like human babies, puppies can get overtired. When exhausted but resisting sleep, their behaviour can become erratic and hyperactive. Instead of winding down, they wind up, like a toddler throwing a tantrum when they desperately need a nap. Their bodies are tired, but their minds still race, leading to frantic behaviour. Recognizing this overtired state is crucial for intervention in a puppy witching hour: how to survive.
How Can You Survive the Puppy Witching Hour?
Surviving the puppy witching hour requires a proactive and consistent approach. It is not about stopping the natural behaviour entirely, but about managing it and redirecting your puppy’s energy in constructive ways. Here are my top strategies for how to survive the puppy witching hour:
Establish a Predictable Routine
A consistent daily routine is incredibly important for puppies. They thrive on predictability. Ensure your puppy has set times for waking, feeding, potty breaks, play, training, and naps. A structured day helps them understand what to expect and can prevent them from becoming overtired or under-stimulated.
In particular, schedule a significant ‘wind-down’ period before the typical witching hour starts. This might involve a final potty break, a quiet chew toy, or a short, calm cuddle session. Avoid exciting play right before the witching hour usually kicks in.
Provide Ample Exercise and Mental Stimulation
One of the biggest contributors to witching hour madness is insufficient outlets for energy. Puppies need both physical exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day, not just a burst in the morning. However, ‘ample’ does not mean endless for a puppy witching hour how to survive. Over-exercising a young puppy can be detrimental to their developing joints, so focus on quality over quantity.
Physical Exercise: Short, frequent play sessions are better than one long, exhausting one. Think 10-15 minute bursts of fetching, tug-of-war (with rules), or a brisk walk (if your puppy is fully vaccinated and age-appropriate). Aim for a couple of these sessions spread throughout the day. Plan the last energetic burst a couple of hours before the witching hour typically starts.
Mental Stimulation: This is often overlooked but just as important. Engage your puppy’s brain with:
- Puzzle toys: Toys that dispense treats as your puppy manipulates them.
- Short training sessions: 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times a day, working on basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’, and ‘come’.
- Sniffing games: Hide treats around a room or in a snuffle mat for them to find.
A mentally tired puppy is often a calmer puppy. Prioritise mental games in the late afternoon.
Master the Art of the “Calm Down” Command
Teaching your puppy to settle on command is a major shift. Start by rewarding calm behaviour whenever you see it. When your puppy is lying down quietly, say “settle” (or your chosen word) and gently offer a treat. Gradually extend the time they need to stay settled before getting the treat.
During a puppy witching hour, to survive if your puppy gets frenetic, redirect them to their ‘settle’ spot (like a mat or bed) with a high-value chew. Consistency is key here; they learn that settling leads to good things.
Create a Safe, Quiet Space
Every puppy needs a designated safe space where they can retreat and relax without interruption. This could be a crate, a playpen, or a quiet corner with their bed. When the witching hour hits, and your puppy is clearly overtired or overstimulated, enforcing a ‘quiet time’ in this space can be incredibly effective. Cover the crate if it helps them settle, and ensure it is free from distractions.
This is not a punishment, but a necessary break to prevent overstimulation and allow them to decompress. Many puppies resist this at first, but with consistent use, they learn to appreciate their quiet time.
Use Chews and Distraction Toys
When your puppy is in the midst of the witching hour, redirecting their energy onto an appropriate chew toy can be very effective. Long-lasting chews (like a KONG stuffed with peanut butter or a durable chew bone) can occupy them for a significant period and help them relax, which is key for a puppy witching hour how to survive. Chewing is a natural, calming behaviour for puppies.
Always supervise your puppy with new chews to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and size. Avoid rawhide, as it can be a choking hazard. Look for veterinary-approved dental chews or natural options like bully sticks.
Manage Your Own Expectations and Stress
It is easy to get frustrated when your puppy is bouncing off the walls, especially after a long day. Remember that this phase is temporary and a normal part of puppy development, a puppy witching hour to survive. Your puppy isn’t being ‘naughty’ on purpose; they are simply overwhelmed or overexercised.
Take deep breaths. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, put your puppy safely in their crate with a chew toy and step away for a few minutes. A short break for you can prevent you from reacting out of frustration, which can be counterproductive to training. We always advise new puppy owners to remember that patience is your most powerful tool.
When Does the Puppy Witching Hour Happen?
The puppy witching hour typically occurs in the late afternoon or early evening. For many households, this means between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, although it can vary.
This timing often coincides with when families are coming home from work or school. They prepare dinner, and generally increase activity levels in the house. This increased stimulation, combined with a puppy’s natural energy cycle and potential overtiredness from a day of activity (or lack thereof), often triggers the witching hour behaviour. Paying attention to your puppy’s specific timing can help you pre-empt it with calming activities.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid During Puppy Witching Hour?
While trying to manage the puppy witching hour, certain reactions can inadvertently make the situation worse or prolong the behaviour. Avoiding these common mistakes for how to survive is as important as implementing good strategies.
- Over-exciting your puppy: Engaging in boisterous play when your puppy is already hyper can escalate their energy rather than dissipate it. Avoid chasing them around the house or encouraging rough play when they are already over the top.
- Punishing the behaviour: Yelling, scolding, or physically punishing your puppy for their witching hour antics will not teach them to calm down. It can create fear and anxiety, damaging your bond and potentially leading to other behavioral issues.
- Ignoring the need for a nap: It is easy to mistake hyperactivity for needing more playtime. Often, the opposite is true – an overtired puppy needs a quiet nap. Pushing them to play more will only make them more frantic.
- Giving in to demand barking or nipping: If your puppy demands attention with incessant barking or painful nipping during this time, try to avoid reinforcing it. Turn your back. Leave the room for a moment. Or redirect to an appropriate chew rather than giving them the attention they are seeking for the unwanted behaviour.
- Lack of consistency: Inconsistent routines or responses will confuse your puppy. If you sometimes allow certain behaviors and sometimes don’t, your puppy will struggle to learn what you expect of them.
Who Might Find the Puppy Witching Hour Particularly Challenging?
While the puppy witching hour is a universal experience for most puppy owners, certain individuals or households might find it particularly challenging. Understanding if you fall into one of these categories can help you prepare and seek extra support if needed.
- First-time puppy owners: Without prior experience, the intensity of puppy behaviour, especially during the witching hour, can be surprising and overwhelming. You might not recognize signs of overtiredness or know how best to redirect energy.
- Owners with young children: Managing a hyperactive puppy while also supervising small children can be incredibly difficult. Puppies, especially during their witching hour, might nip or jump, which can be scary or harmful to children. It requires extra vigilance and management strategies for both.
- Individuals living in smaller spaces: If you live in a flat or a small house without a garden, providing sufficient physical exercise can be more challenging. This means a greater reliance on indoor mental stimulation and carefully planned outdoor activities.
- People with demanding work schedules: If you are working long hours, ensuring your puppy gets enough attention, exercise, and mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent evening meltdowns can be tough. This is where professional dog walkers or puppy day care might be beneficial.
- Owners of high-energy breeds: Breeds like Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, or working retrievers naturally have higher energy levels. Their witching hour might be more intense and require even more structured outlets for their energy than lower-energy breeds.
If you find yourself in one of these situations, we suggest being extra proactive with your routine, considering professional help from a certified dog trainer, or seeking support from a network of friends or family, perhaps for a “puppy witching hour: how to survive” type of issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is the puppy witching hour normal?
Yes, the puppy witching hour is a completely normal and common developmental phase for most puppies. It is not a sign of a ‘bad’ puppy but rather a combination of high energy, overstimulation, and overtiredness.
Can I stop the puppy witching hour from happening?
You cannot entirely stop the puppy witching hour, as it is a natural developmental phase. However, you can significantly manage and reduce its intensity and duration through consistent routine, appropriate exercise, mental stimulation, and enforced quiet times.
What should I do if my puppy is biting during the witching hour?
If your puppy is biting during the witching hour, immediately redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. If the nipping continues, disengage by standing up and turning away, or briefly leave the room. This teaches your puppy that biting results in the loss of your attention and fun.
Should I put my puppy in their crate during the witching hour?
Yes, if your puppy is overtired or overstimulated during the witching hour, placing them in their crate for a quiet nap or some calm chew time can be very effective. Ensure the crate is a safe, positive space and not used as punishment.
