Do Puppies Get More Aggressive When Tired?

Puppies and human children have a lot in common. They are both living beings that need to be taken care of if they are going to grow up into healthy adults. Additionally, they are both beings that are still growing, still adapting to the new world around them. As such, they are often unable to control their emotions.

This is why when a child is tired, they are much more likely to have temper tantrums. The same can be said for puppies. When a puppy's energy level runs low, it becomes much less controllable. They may lash out at the owner or others around them if they begin to become tired.

So, how does a new puppy parent handle aggressive behavior in a puppy? As Daniel explains, the best thing to do in this situation is to pursue crate training. In many ways, a crate can be thought of like a puppy's bedroom. When it is tired, it needs to be compartmentalized so it has the chance to relax, and get some rest without distraction.

And, when a puppy is well-rested, it will have more energy to expend, and won't lash out so easily. This can help reduce the number of temper tantrums a dog would normally throw in a day's time. Additionally, it will also help a dog grow into a more well-behaved companion in general.