Living with a hyperactive dog can feel like sharing your home with a tiny startup founder who’s had six espressos before 7 a.m. The zoomies. The barking. The inability to ever fully settle.

For busy San Mateo County dog owners—juggling work, family, traffic on 101, and a dog who thinks every moment is playtime—this can be exhausting.

That’s where hyperactive dog training comes in. And not the kind that relies on pockets full of treats or endless repetitions at the dog park. We asked our local San Mateo dog therapist, Jared Levenson, for his thoughts on why so many dogs seem wired—and what actually helps them calm down.

What “Hyperactive” Really Means in Dogs

Most dogs labeled “hyperactive” aren’t broken. They’re confused. Hyperactivity usually shows up as:

• Constant pacing or restlessness
• Jumping on guests like they’re long-lost college roommates
• Barking at every sound, shadow, or passing scooter
• Inability to relax, even after long walks
• Explosive behavior on leash or at the door

In Silicon Valley terms, these dogs are running too many tabs at once. The issue isn’t energy alone. It’s lack of clear guidance.

Why Exercise Alone Doesn’t Fix Hyperactive Behavior

This surprises a lot of people. More walks, more hikes, more trips to Fort Funston or Edgewood can help—but often they just create a fitter, more energetic dog. Physical exercise without mental clarity is like doing yoga while checking Slack.

Dogs also need:

• Structure
• Calm leadership
• Clear communication
• Predictable rules inside the home

That’s why effective hyperactive dog training starts at home, not just on trails or at dog parks.

Leadership Is Calming, Not Controlling

One of the biggest misunderstandings in Bay Area dog culture is that leadership equals dominance. It doesn’t. Leadership means your dog doesn’t have to make every decision themselves. When dogs feel responsible for:

• Who comes in the house
• What sounds are dangerous
• When excitement starts and stops

They stay stuck in a heightened state of alert. Clear, calm leadership tells your dog, “I’ve got this.” And that’s deeply relaxing for them.

Why “Positive-Only” Can Backfire With Hyper Dogs

Of course we love rewarding our dogs. Affection matters. Praise matters. But when treats become the only form of communication, problems creep in. Treats can start working like a drug. What happens when:

• You forget them at home?
• Your dog is too overstimulated to care?
• The environment is more exciting than your pocket?

Suddenly, the system collapses. At Bark Busters, hyperactive dog training focuses on natural canine communication—signals dogs instinctively understand—combined with affection and encouragement. Not harsh. Not mechanical. Just clear.

How Bark Busters Approaches Hyperactive Dog Training

Bark Busters has helped dogs and owners for over 30 years using a simple but powerful philosophy.

In-Home, One-on-One Training

Hyperactivity usually shows up most at home.

That’s why training happens in your dog’s real environment:

• The front door
• The couch
• The hallway where zoomies happen at 9:42 p.m.

Training in context leads to faster, more lasting change.

Natural Communication Dogs Understand

Dogs don’t speak English. They also don’t think of treats. They respond to tone, timing, body language, and consistency. This style of hyperactive dog training reduces confusion—and confusion fuels hyperactivity.

Calm, Compassionate Leadership

Leadership isn’t about force. It’s about clarity. When dogs know the rules and trust their humans, their nervous systems settle. That’s when calm finally becomes possible.

Practical Tips You Can Start Using Today

While deeper change comes with guided training, here are a few principles that help immediately.

• Reward calm behavior, not excitement
• Ignore demand barking and frantic attention-seeking
• Create structured routines for walks, meals, and rest
• Teach your dog how to settle, not just how to move

Calm is a skill. Dogs can learn it.

A Local Perspective From Jared Levenson

Jared Levenson brings a rare blend of experience to hyperactive dog training in San Mateo County. Raised on a Sacramento farmhouse with animals as family—one dog, thirteen cats, five sheep, and even a couple goldfish—he learned early how animals communicate naturally.

Before dog training, Jared worked as a behaviorist with autistic children at Easter Seals, later earning a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. He’s also been a yoga instructor for many years, which may explain why dogs instantly relax around him.

Today, Jared is one of the Bay Area’s top-rated trainers, with hundreds of detailed five-star reviews you can verify on Google, Yelp, or Thumbtack. His calm presence and deep understanding of behavior—human and canine—are a big reason hyper dogs finally find balance.

Why San Mateo Dogs Struggle With Hyperactivity

Our local lifestyle plays a role. Small yards. Busy streets. Constant stimulation. Dogs here see joggers, Teslas, scooters, strollers, and more dogs per block than most places see in a week.

Without structure at home, all that stimulation overwhelms their system. That’s why Bark Busters emphasizes training inside first. Once calm exists at home, it naturally carries over to:

• Dog-friendly cafés
• Trails like Sawyer Camp
• Walks through downtown Burlingame or Redwood City

Long-Term Results, Not Quick Fixes

Hyperactivity isn’t solved with a single command. It’s solved by changing the relationship dynamic. Bark Busters’ results-oriented approach includes ongoing support if challenges resurface.

Their Gold Service even comes with a Life of Dog Support Guarantee—unlimited help for your dog’s lifetime, including remote support if you move out of the area. That peace of mind matters. Especially when life changes.

A Calmer Future Is Closer Than You Think

If your dog feels like they’re always “on,” you’re not failing. They’re asking for guidance. The local Bark Busters San Mateo/Mid-Peninsula team specializes in hyperactive dog training that creates calm, clarity, and connection—without relying on treats or force.

If you’re curious, start by taking their free, personalized behavioral quiz to better understand what’s driving your dog’s energy. When you’re ready for hands-on help, connect with the local team at Bark Busters San Mateo County for in-home support tailored to your life and your dog. 

Learn more by reaching out directly at 1-877-500-BARK (2275). Calm isn’t something your dog either has or doesn’t have. It’s something you can build—together.