Are you having a hard time dealing with your Irish Setter puppy energy? There’s no doubt that when it comes to dogs, the Irish Setter is one of the most active and playful dog breeds around. But when do Irish Setter calm down? And what is their personality like when they’re not playing around? In this blog post, we’ll look at the Irish Setter temperament and find out when they finally relax.
When Do Irish Setters Calm Down?
If you’re wondering when do Irish Setters calm down, the answer is that it varies from dog to dog. Some Irish Setters will start to mellow out a little as they reach adulthood, while others may stay active and playful their entire lives. However, most Irish Setters will begin to settle down around two or three years old when they become older setters.
Take note of the word “a little.” Although there is a distinction, it might never be significant, so if you choose a calm setter only based on its age, you could be disappointed. Furthermore, there is no predetermined point at which you would see a significant difference from one day to another. In fact, your Irish or English setters could calm you a bit without realizing it!
Why Do Irish Setter So Hyper?
An Irish Setter just like English Setter is eager to please, affectionate, and happy. They are also very active and love to play. This combination of traits often leads to a dog that is too much for some people to handle. For several owners, their Irish setter might appear to be moving at 100 miles per hour, which can be stressful despite their fondness for them.
While it might be difficult to understand why your dog is bouncing off the walls when you’re trying to relax, it’s important to remember that this behavior is normal for the breed. Irish Setters were bred as hunting dogs, which means they have a lot of energy and stamina. In fact, when these dogs are not given enough exercise, they can become destructive or even start to exhibit signs of separation anxiety.
Irish setters necessitate a great deal of time, effort, and routine care. They require a lot of entertainment, training, and exercise, as well as a lot of patience.
Typical Misbehaviours of an Irish Setter
Irish Setters are considered well-behaved; their boundless energy sometimes gets them into trouble. Some of the typical misbehaviors or behavioral changes that you might see from an Irish Setter include:
🔵Jumping Up on People
The Irish Setter temperament is known for its friendly nature, which means they often want to greet people with a jump and a lick. Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys this type of welcome, so teaching your dog how to greet people appropriately is essential.
🔵Barking Excessively
Irish Setters are vocal dogs and often bark when they’re excited or want something. While this behavior is normal, it can become problematic if your dog barks excessively. It can be a nuisance to your neighbors and can even lead to complaints or legal action.
🔵Nipping or Mouthiness
Because they were bred as hunting dogs, Irish Setters have a strong prey drive. It means that they sometimes like to chase and nip at people or other animals. While this behavior is usually harmless, it can be dangerous if not properly controlled.
🔵Howling
Irish Setters are known for their distinctive howl, which they often do when they’re left alone or want something. While this behavior can be cute, it can also be very annoying to the people around you.
🔵Separation Anxiety
Irish Setters are very social dogs, and they often suffer from separation anxiety when they’re left alone. It can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing or barking and excessive whining.
🔵Strong Prey Drive
As mentioned before, Irish Setters have a strong prey drive because they were bred as hunting dogs. It means that they’re often attracted to small animals, especially birds. While this behavior can be fun to watch, it can also be dangerous if not properly supervised.
🔵Curiosity and Wanderlust
Irish Setters are known for their curiosity and wanderlust. It means that they’re often drawn to new or interesting things, which can sometimes lead them into trouble. Digging holes in the yard or getting into the trash,
While these behaviors might be a nuisance, it’s important to remember that they’re normal for the breed.
Ways to Calm Down an Irish Setter
When Irish Setters calm down might come to mind as you witness these dog breeds’ silly, happy-go-lucky personalities. So to make your life a little easier with your Irish Setter, here are some tips on how you can calm down an Irish Setter:
✔️Mental Stimulation
One of the best ways to calm an Irish Setter is to provide mental stimulation. Keep in mind to have 30-60 minutes focused on mental stimulation every day. You may take it in any style you want. Enhancing basic command skills, such as “come here,” “down,” “paw,” “stay,” and “sit,” are all excellent methods to stimulate the Irish Setters intellect. It can also be in the form of interactive toys, food puzzles, or even dog sports.
A good time of exercising with your Irish setter will be extremely rewarding, and they’ll probably sleep even better than he might after a run. Mental stimulation is an excellent way to make Irish Setters calm down.
✔️Attention-Span Training
You can also try attention-span training when you are trying to calm down an Irish Setter. This type of training is when you get your dog to focus on you for a period of time, usually around 30 seconds to a minute. There are a few different ways to do this, but one way is to have your dog sit or lie down and give them a treat when they look at you. Do the same when eating their meals and on walks. Once they get good at this, you can start adding distractions, like other people or animals.
Start with small distractions and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gets better at it. This type of training is not only great for calming down an Irish Setter, but it’s also great for building a bond between you and your dog.
✔️Physical Exercise
Physical activity, on the other hand, cannot be overlooked. An Irish setter that is healthy at its peak ought to have 1-2 hours of exercise every day, separated into two short sessions if possible.
This breed burns a lot of energy, so if you don’t give them an outlet for it, they will find one on their own. And trust me when I say that you won’t like their chosen outlet. A tired dog is a calm dog, so make sure to give your Irish Setter plenty of opportunities to run and play.
✔️Prey Drive Management
As we mentioned before, Irish Setters have a strong prey drive. One way to manage their prey drive is to give them plenty of hunting opportunities. It can be in the form of scent games, tracking, or even agility courses.
You can also manage their prey drive-by by teaching them to “leave it” when they see something they’re interested in. It is a great command for all dogs, but it’s especially important for Irish Setters.
✔️Socialize Them More OftenÂ
Lastly, socializing with your Irish Setter more often can also help calm them down. It means exposing them to different people, places, and situations on a regular basis.
The more they’re exposed to, the less likely they are to be scared or anxious in new situations. It can be anything from going for walks in different places to going to dog parks or even obedience classes. Also, it’s a great method to keep your Irish Setters calm down.
All in all, when do Irish Setters calm down? It depends on how you manage them. With the right amount of physical and mental exercise and socialization, your Irish Setter will be a well-rounded dog that is calm and happy.
The Advantage of Growing Setters that Is Calm
🐾Less Likely to Get Into Trouble
One of the main advantages of having a calm Irish Setter is that they are less likely to get into trouble. It is because they are not as easily excited and are generally more relaxed. This means that they are less likely to run off after animals or people and less likely to bark excessively. It also means they are less likely to chew on things they’re not supposed to or dig holes in the yard.
🐾Easier to Train
Having a calm Irish Setter also makes training easier. It is because they can focus better and are not as easily distracted. Training an Irish Setter can be a challenge, but if you can get them to focus on you, it will be much easier.
🐾Prevents Excessive Shedding
Whenever your Irish Setter gets too stressed or anxious, they are likely to shed excessively as their body’s way of getting rid of excess stress. By keeping your Irish Setter calm, you can prevent this from happening.
🐾A Safe and Relaxing Home Environment
An Irish Setter that is calm is also less likely to have accidents in the house. It is because they are not as easily excited and are more relaxed overall. A calm dog is also less likely to bark excessively or destroy things in the house when left alone.
🐾Calm Dogs Are More Enjoyable to Be Around
Last but not least, calm dogs are simply more enjoyable to be around. They are not as high-energy and can be relaxed in most situations. It makes them great companions for people of all ages, including kids and seniors.
Overall, having a calm Irish Setter has many advantages. From being easier to train to prevent excessive shedding, there are many benefits to having a calm dog. So if you’re wondering when do Irish Setters calm down, the answer is that it depends on how you manage them. So as an owner, it’s up to you to provide the right environment and training for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Irish setters be calm?
Yes, Irish setters can be calm. With the right strategies and training, you can help your Irish setter learn to be a calm and well-behaved dog. Some things you can do to help your Irish setter stay calm include: providing plenty of exercises, teaching basic obedience commands, keeping a consistent routine, and using positive reinforcement techniques. If you are consistent with these strategies, your Irish setter will learn to be a calm and relaxed dog.
Q: At what age do English setters calm down?
Irish Setters are a highly intelligent breed of dog known for their playful and energetic nature. While they may be a bit high-strung when younger, they tend to calm down as they age. Most Irish Setters will reach a point of calmness by the age of 2. However, this may vary depending on the individual dog. Some may take longer to mature and calm down, while others may do so relatively quickly. Either way, with proper training and socialization, your Irish Setter will be a well-rounded adult dog in no time!
Q: Do Irish setters need a lot of exercises?
Yes, Irish Setters require a fair amount of exercise to stay happy, healthy, and calm. They are an energetic breed that loves to play and run around. Ideally, they should get at least one hour of exercise per day, broken up into two shorter sessions if possible. This will help tire them out and keep them from getting into mischief. If you are unable to provide this amount of exercise, consider hiring a dog walker or taking them to doggy daycare when you cannot be home with them.
Q: Is the Irish Setter a Hyper dog breed?
While Irish Setters are certainly energetic, they are not considered a hyper breed. They have a lot of energy and need plenty of exercises, but they are not overtly hyperactive. If you think your Irish Setter is too hyperactive, consider increasing the exercise they get each day.Â
Additionally, make sure you are consistent with training and obedience commands. This will help them focus their energy positively and stay calm when asked.
Q: What type of home is good for an Irish Setter to stay calm?
Irish Setters are best suited for homes with plenty of space to run and play. They need a lot of exercises, so a backyard is ideal. If you live in an apartment or do not have a lot of space, make sure you take them on long walks or runs each day. Additionally, they benefit from having another dog in the home to play with. It will help keep them from getting bored and provide them with the companionship they crave.
Final Thoughts
Irish Setters are a beautiful breed of dog known for their playful and energetic nature. While they may be a bit high-strung when younger, they tend to calm down as they age. So with the breed info in this article and with proper training and socialization, your Irish Setter will be a well-rounded adult dog in no time! Do you have an Irish Setter? What tips do you have for keeping them calm? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
