Two Years Later: Will My Dog EVER Calm Down?

Flash back to August 2009, I brought this little bundle of joy home. I know I’m biased, but he was literally the cutest puppy I’d ever seen.

It didn’t take me long to learn Brady wouldn’t be the calm, lackadaisical labrador that I’d grown up with.

Brady’s a lab who has a big personality and a ton of energy. Regardless of how often I ran him or how much he swam at the lake, it seemed like Brady would never tire.

Needless to say, I was worried. Sure, I was only 22 when I got him, but I knew he’d be around for a while and maybe I’d have kids by the time he was all grown up. So I asked around.

I asked friends, family, dog trainers, you name it…will this dog ever calm down?! “Yes,” they said, “around the time he’s 2 years old.”

Today my sweet boy turned 2 years old, and boy, has he ever calmed down.

Brady’s never been a destructive dog (thank goodness!), but I’ve noticed a huge difference in the past 6 months.

I can do things like leave my shoes out without him bothering them. He will lie down and fall asleep even when there are things going on around him. He’ll even get into his create willingly and (only sometimes) bark to be let out.

He’s no where near perfect (and I love him just the same), but growing up has made a world of difference.

Like children going into adolescence and then adulthood, dogs grow up and mature.

So, for all of you out there who are ripping your hair out with your energetic puppy, it will all be OK. Have patience, work with them, and they’ll eventually grow out of it.