The Bichon Frise is not the most hyper breed in the world. But, with their show dog and circus performer history, Bichons do love to show off sometimes.
When they are puppies, especially, Bichon Frises can have a ton of energy they need to burn off. So when can you expect them just to chill out? When will a Bichon Frise calm down? And what can you do to help them rest? This is what we’ll attempt to answer in this post:
What is normal behavior from my Bichon Frise?
The Bichon Frise is a social dog by nature. When a Bichon Frise feels playful, it’s not uncommon for them to hound you persistently for attention. Some Bichon Frises are so social that they can develop separation anxiety.
Equally, many Bichon Frises have periods during the day where they want to be alone. They may spend time playing with a toy or chewing a favorite treat in their bed.
However, most Bichon Frises are obedient and intelligent, too. So, it should be pretty easy to train your Bichon Frise to get into the habit of chilling out, even from a very early age.
Why does my Bichon Frise have so much energy?
Some dog breeds are renowned for being constantly hyper and on the go – for example, the Labrador, Chihuahua, and Jack Russell Terrier. But what about the Bichon? Is the Bichon Frise one of these energetic breeds?
Well, yes, the Bichon Frise does have an established reputation for random bursts of frenetic behavior. Many Bichon Frises love to be the center of attention.
The Bichon Frise is also a pretty loyal dog, so often, their favorite time in the whole day is when you come home. If your Bichon Frise gets a burst of energy and starts sprinting around as soon as you come in the door from school or work, this is entirely normal for this loyal fluffball.
Perhaps your Bichon Frise spends the morning snuggled up in their basket, seemingly fast asleep, but you come home to the aftermath of a cushion carnage, your Bichon sitting innocently in the middle of it all.
If your Bichon shows that they unexpectedly have a lot of energy like this, it could be that your pooch simply needs the chance to expend their energy in the morning, even though they may have acted like they were too tired at the time.
Should I let my Bichon Frise run it off?
Isn’t it cute when you come home, and your Bichon puppy rushes to greet you, sprinting all over the house and jumping up or dancing around on their hind legs?
And isn’t it adorable to watch your Bichon Frise racing after the ball or Frisbee at the park? I bet that after only a few throws, though, your Bichon Frise puppy is exhausted and lying flat on the ground!
Is this type of high-octane behavior dangerous for your Bichon Frise? Does it harm them or hurt their development? Or is it good for them?
Well, it isn’t too risky to let your Bichon Frise simply run around. But do pay attention to the surface they are playing on. If you are playing together on a hard surface like concrete for a long time, your playful Bichon Frise could easily injure themselves when jumping or skidding.
Instead, softer surfaces like grass or carpet are perfect for your Bichon Frise to play even the roughest games on, as long as you make sure to keep your Bichon’s nails short.
Try teaching your Bichon Frise puppy commands like “Stop” and “Stay” to control their behavior and slow them down when they spend time on more dangerous, hard surfaces. In this instance, though your Bichon Frise may naturally calm down a bit with age, your training will help them.
Will my Bichon Frise chill out with age?
If your Bichon Frise is still relatively young, hyper or frenetic behavior is normal for them. Your Bichon Frise may ask to go out to the yard every 10 minutes, but really, they just want to play. Your young Bichon may persistently bring you toys to throw, to their point of exhaustion.
This is pretty normal behavior for a puppy. However, when you feel your Bichon puppy is tired or needs a break, try to train them to go into their bed and lie down.
When they get older, hyper behavior is still quite common when a loyal and social Bichon Frise is excited about meeting new people or when their favorite people come home. When they’re older, your Bichon Frise should be able to calm down more quickly.
Many owners find that their Bichon Frise is a substantially calmer dog by around two years old, though they still get excited about certain things.
Should I neuter or spay my Bichon?
Did you know that an unneutered Bichon Frise can show a slightly greater tendency towards hyperactivity, as well as aggression? It is also the law in many places to have your dog neutered by the time they reach a certain age. This is so for a reason.
Many owners also find that their Bichon Frise calms down significantly after they get neutered. However, do be aware that this is not a quick fix.
You will not see an immediate improvement in your Bichon Frise’s frenetic behavior right after neutering them. In fact, you may not see any improvement in your Bichon’s behavior after getting them neutered for several months or even years! Instead, your training has an even more significant influence on your pooch’s behavior.
Having your Bichon Frise neutered can sometimes cause them to behave in an even more hyperactive or aggressive manner for a while just after they are neutered, due to your Bichon’s testosterone levels becoming unbalanced. They will remain like this for quite some time, too.
But in general, in the long term, neutering your Bichon Frise is a great way to calm them down.
How can I tire out my Bichon Frise?
Does your Bichon Frise have energy to burn that sorely needs using up? Do they settle down on the sofa beside you in the evenings, or do they bring you toy after toy, laying each one at your feet? Do they sleep peacefully at night, or do they remain alert, finding lots of things to bark at?
If this is the case, you may have to find a good way to tire your Bichon Frise out so that they are sufficiently relaxed at the times you want them to be. Try taking your Bichon for a long walk before bed.
Or, you could play some fetch with your Bichon. Certain puzzle toys may also help with tiring your Bichon Frise out, as long as any treats in them do not get them too excited.
