When do Kooikerhondjes calm down?

The energy curve: what to expect at each stage

Kooikerhondjes have a manageable energy curve — more predictable than high-energy breeds, less sedentary than low-energy ones.

• 0–12 months (puppy): Active and curious, but not overwhelming. Standard puppy management applies.
• 12–18 months (adolescent): Some boundary-testing and inconsistency in behaviour. This is normal. Patience and consistency carry you through.
• After 1–2 years (adult): Most Kooikerhondjes settle noticeably. Daily exercise keeps them calm in the house; they're not restless when their needs are met.

The key difference from high-energy breeds is that a Kooikerhondje's needs are achievable for most households. An hour of exercise per day — a morning walk and an evening session — is enough to keep a Kooikerhondje calm and settled at home. You won't need to run a marathon before they stop bouncing off the walls.

Skip exercise consistently and it will show. A Kooikerhondje that isn't getting its daily activity will find other outlets — often through pestering, vocalising, or mild destructive behaviour. The good news is that this resets quickly once their routine is restored.

Why is my Kooikerhondje still so hyper?

If your Kooikerhondje is going through a hyper phase, three things are usually responsible:

• Not enough exercise: A Kooikerhondje that isn't getting 60–90 minutes of activity per day will burn that energy off differently — usually destructively or noisily.
• Age: The adolescent phase (6–18 months) is normal for all breeds. Consistency wins here.
• Lack of mental stimulation: Physical exercise isn't enough for a mentally active breed. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, and nose work all help drain energy more efficiently.

A Kooikerhondje that's destructive or restless at home is almost always an under-exercised Kooikerhondje. The behaviour is a symptom, not a character flaw.

Training through the hyper phase

The most effective approach with a boisterous Kooikerhondje isn't to wait for them to calm down — it's to train through it. Kooikerhondjes respond well to positive reinforcement and pick up new behaviours quickly, which makes the training phase more rewarding for both of you.

Teaching a reliable settle command (where the dog goes to their bed and stays calm on cue) is one of the most valuable things you can train with an active breed. It gives you a tool for managing their energy rather than just waiting for it to dissipate.