What is dog witching hour?

A dog's "witching hour" is a common term for a daily period, usually in the late afternoon or evening (around 5-8 PM), when puppies or even older dogs experience a sudden, chaotic burst of energy, often called zoomies, marked by frantic running, jumping, nipping, and general hyperactivity. This behavior stems from overstimulation, overtiredness (like a toddler's meltdown), or pent-up energy and is a normal developmental phase, not possession.

How to deal with dog witching hour?

The “Witching Hour”

This includes using baby gates to manage her movement, taking her for a walk or playing with toys in the yard, giving her a stuffed Kong or more active foodstuffed toy such as a Tricky Treat Ball, or arranging a play-date with a dog who wants to play with her.

What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?

The "7-7-7 Rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline suggesting that by seven weeks old, a puppy should have 7 positive exposures to different people, 7 different locations, 7 different surfaces, 7 different objects, 7 different sounds, 7 different challenges, and 7 different food containers, all to build confidence and prevent fear-based behaviors, making them more adaptable adults.
 

Why do dogs have a witching hour?

It's pretty normal for dogs to have this and it's generally a way for them to get any excess energy out. If you REALLY want to avoid the witching hour I would suggest ramping exercise up even further.

What time is the witching hour for dogs?

A dog's "witching hour" is a period, usually in the late afternoon or evening (around 5 PM to 9 PM), when puppies and dogs get a sudden burst of chaotic energy, exhibiting "zoomies," nipping, barking, or destructive behavior, often due to being overtired, overstimulated, or having pent-up energy, according to Rover.com, Reddit users and Paw Chores. It's a normal, common behavior reflecting their internal energy rhythms, often coinciding with when owners want to relax, say Paw Chores and sarahgrovesdogtraining.co.uk. 

Stop The Witching Hour With Calmness Training!

What is the 7 second rule for dogs?

The "7-Second Rule" for dogs is a simple test for hot pavement: place the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds; if it's too hot for you to keep your hand there comfortably, it's too hot for your dog's paw pads and can cause burns, so walk on grass or wait for cooler times. Dark surfaces like asphalt get much hotter than air temperature and can seriously harm dogs' paws.
 

Do dogs grow out of the witching hour?

Puppies are terrible at regulating their own feelings and so the result of any one of the above usually comes out in the form of witching hour behaviours. They do grow out of it, but there are things you can do right now to minimise any of these behaviours occurring and start to relax in the evenings.

What is the 3-3-3 rule with dogs?

The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new pet parents, especially for rescues, outlining phases of adjustment: 3 days for the dog to decompress (feeling overwhelmed, hiding, or shut down); 3 weeks to learn routines, build trust, and start showing their personality; and 3 months to feel truly secure, comfortable, and like part of the family, developing a strong bond. This rule emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to manage expectations and support the dog's transition. 

What does sundowning in dogs look like?

Sundowning in dogs, a sign of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) or dementia, looks like increased confusion, anxiety, and restlessness in the late afternoon/evening, with symptoms including aimless pacing, staring blankly, excessive barking/whining, getting lost in familiar places, house-soiling, and changes in social interaction (becoming clingy or withdrawn). These behavioral shifts disrupt sleep-wake cycles, often causing daytime lethargy and nighttime agitation, similar to Alzheimer's in humans.
 

What is the naughtiest puppy's age?

Puppy difficulty at ages 3-4 months. Things start to ramp up by the time your puppy is 12-16 weeks or 3-4 months of age. This is a particularly challenging age for many owners for several reasons. First, your pup may still not be fully potty trained and you may start to be feeling frustrated!

What is the hardest command to teach a dog?

The Most Difficult Commands to Teach Dogs

• Recall (“Come”): Recall is one of the most essential commands, yet it's notoriously difficult. ...
• Loose-Leash Walking: Walking politely on a leash is more complicated than it looks.

What is the five-second dog rule?

Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't keep it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog. If you didn't know about this rule, chances are your friends don't, either.

What is 7 hours in dog Time?

Seven hours for a dog feels much longer than for a human, often considered like 49 hours (7 hours x 7), because their faster metabolism means they perceive time more quickly, making a workday feel like days, though the exact "dog time" ratio is complex and varies, but the feeling of a long time apart is real for them. 

How long will witching hour last?

The baby "witching hour" is a prolonged evening fussiness, typically 5 PM to 11 PM, that can last for a few minutes to several hours, often peaking around 6-8 weeks and resolving by 3-4 months, though it can extend longer. It's a normal period of intense crying and inconsolability in infants, often due to overstimulation or overtiredness as the day ends, and isn't always just one hour long. 

Why does my dog go crazy at 7pm?

This completely normal behavior is a way for your puppy to get rid of excess energy.

How to get rid of the witching hour?

To avoid or ease the witching hour, focus on preventing overtiredness with good daytime naps, creating a calm environment ( dim lights, white noise, swaddling), reducing stimulation, and addressing physical needs like trapped gas with burping and tummy time; establishing early bedtime routines and cluster feeding can also help manage this intense evening fussiness. 

How do I tell if my dog is sad?

You can tell if a dog is sad by observing changes in behavior like lethargy, loss of appetite, withdrawal, excessive sleep, lack of interest in play, hiding, or increased clinginess, often accompanied by physical cues such as droopy eyes, pulled-back ears, or a low tail, but always see a vet first to rule out illness.
 

At what age do dogs get sundowning?

In fact, one research study indicated that 28% of 11 to 12-year-old dogs, 48% of 14-year-old dogs, and 68% of 16-year-old dogs will have some degree of cognitive dysfunction. In general, sundowners can affect activity levels, personality, and sleep-wake cycles.

What are the first signs of dog dementia?

The first signs of dementia in dogs (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, CCD) often involve subtle changes like disorientation (getting lost in familiar places, staring blankly), altered sleep patterns (waking at night, restlessness), changes in social interaction (becoming clingy or aloof), house soiling, and a decreased interest in play, but can also manifest as increased anxiety, vocalization, and repetitive behaviors like pacing or licking. These changes typically start around age 9 and progress slowly, affecting memory, learning, and awareness. 

What is the most surrendered breed of dog?

The most surrendered dog breed is consistently reported as the Pit Bull-type dog, including American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, and mixes, often due to breed-specific housing bans, negative stereotypes, and overbreeding. Other frequently surrendered breeds include Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, and Chihuahuas, often because their high energy, specific needs, or general popularity lead owners to underestimate the commitment.
 

What is a 2 week shutdown dog?

The Two-Week Shut Down is a time familiar to a dog's mind. It mimics the whelping box when first born, when the puppy's eyes are not open and it relies totally on the mother's ability to take care of it. By smelling, sensing, and listening, the puppy starts his journey into the new scary world.

What is the 3 second rule for dogs?

So, what exactly is this rule? It's all about limiting the initial greeting between two dogs to just three seconds. This brief interaction helps prevent overstimulation and potential conflicts. Think of it as a quick sniff and move on, allowing both dogs to assess each other without pressure.

What to do during dog witching hour?

To further encourage the relaxation, “add in decompression activities into their routine, like sniffing games and chew toys. “ Don't worry: The witching hour madness does not last forever! Puppies will typically grow out of it.

What is a red flag puppy behavior?

"Red Flags":

This is especially problematic if it is associated with growling, stiffening of body postures, or a snarling display of teeth. These behaviors indicate fear or pain and should be evaluated to make sure there is not a major underlying problem.

Why do dogs turn in circles before they go to sleep?

Dogs circle before lying down due to deeply ingrained instincts from their wild ancestors to create a safe, comfortable nest by flattening grass, checking for danger, and orienting themselves to the wind for predator detection; modern dogs continue this "bed-making" ritual for comfort, warmth, and self-soothing, even on plush beds, though it can sometimes signal underlying discomfort or medical issues if excessive.