Dog owners – is this normal?

[saturdaykid]

OK, please don't have a go at me for being a wimp, I know how pathetic this is going to sound, but I could really do with some advice! I'm finding my puppy really hard to deal with. He seriously NEVER stops. He only sleeps for about 30% of the day and the rest of the time, from 6.30am until about 8pm he's MANIC. He's only 10 weeks old at the mo, so far too little to be left alone at all, but he just wants to play (very energetically with lots of biting) ALL the time and I'm finding it utterly exhausting. He's not interested in kongs or chews, or playing fetch, only in tug of war or biting the crap out of me. It's a good job we have no kids yet (starting IVF next year, hence being on mnet) because he draws blood regularly. I'm training him and, bless him, he's very good, I give him lots of love and attention, I take him out for walks 3 times a day but he just never tires. I feel like my life is over. I work from home but never get any work done now. Will this get better??? I've seriously never met another puppy with so much energy and am starting to feel like I've made a massive mistake. Help!

it is normal, they do start to slowly calm down, usually by the time they are about 6 months

What breed?

Really? OK, if I know there's an end in sight, and it's normal puppy behaviour I feel a bit better! Thanks, stirfry.

What you need to do - so i believe - is have a clear beginning and end to play time. So you go get his ball/tug toy/etc., play with him and when you have decided play is over you put the toy away and then ignore.

Also, only playing games where he dominates you is not good, as is never winning the pully games.

HTH

He's a Vizsla, so I was prepared for a lot of energy, but this is seriously nuts!

Then they turn into teenager feckers at 10 months

By the way, what do you feed him?

I started him on james wellbeloved but he turned his nose up, so now he's on hills. I give him bits of cheddar to help with the training, and a bit of cream cheese in his kong.

Are you exercising him enough?

This does sound normal but also a bit worrying. What kind is he??? When I got my 2 collies as pups they used to mouth. You have to teach them that it is not on, you are meant to yelp like one of their litter to let them know how much they have hurt you. or alternatively, turn your back and stop playing with them, They will eventually stop doing it.

With regards to him never stopping, does he have a crate/cage??? Once you have taken him out and played it is advised (and it worked for my dogs and helped with my sanity) that you send them to their 'safe place' to allow both of you time to reflect and recover. The more you play with him now in this way the more he will expect it when he is older. My dogs are now 3 and 2 and as they are collies they are still mad but they are not puppy mad iyswim. It will get better and in the meantime enjoy, maybe even post a picture so we can all awww over him.

Watch the protein levels in the food you are giving him, the more protein a dog gets the more hyper he becomes.

Okay, well they are obviously good non fizzing feeds, but it may be worth trying Burns as a trial. That worked for me following great advice from a lady who worked at a rescue and bred Border Collies - we had a BC puppy with strong houdini and herding instincts!

lol at 'houdini instincts'.

Try this thread for advice re puppies biting - sorry but I can't face typing it all out again

It gets better, they are bright and busy dogs though and are bred to work so you'll need to get used to being on the go

Thanks objectivity.
Squeakypop ? he gets SO much exercise.
singyswife. I did wonder about putting him in his crate, and he does go in there for his morning nap (bliss) quite happily, but the rest of the time he just seems too manic to lock up in a cage. I feel sorry for him because he just seems bored with me, I think he's longing for his siblings and finds me a poor replacement.

Second the advice about Burns food. They do a puppy one. I have Dalmatians and it suits them. Dals are very 'lively' as well. I think Hills may be quite high in protein, especially the puppy food. Do check out Burns. It does sound normal though I'm afraid. Don't be tempted to over exercise him either. Lots of short walks on the lead will help, tempting as it is to wear him our with loads of free running, its not always good for developing pups.

I would use the crate as a time out or shut him in the litchen / utility wherever his bed is when you do not want to play. Make it clear playtime is over and ignore him. He should get the idea and go to sleep. Also with the biting, if he bites you say not very loudly and stop the game. You need to nip this one in the bud early on. Have him castrated as soon as he is old enough. good luck, it gets better. i have 2 lovely dogs asleep at my feet and the youngest is 10 months!

Ta objectivity, will try Burns then. And thanks for the thread IAte!
See, that's the thing. I love walking, am totally prepared to give the bleeding little mutt tonnes of exercise - it's just the edgy hyper relentless manicness that's stressing me out!!

I have to say though i dont know anyone who has a Vizsla that isnt just a bit manic

Tug of war game - NOT good. Some research to suggest this is a bad game to play with pups.

Crate him in between play periods. Yes, he seems too manic but TOUGH! Play is play & down time is down time and he better get used to it.

Basically SG, YOU are in control and in charge of this dog, NOT the other way around!

When you are working - he goes in the crate as well. After a while, he'll get the idea but right now, you're pandering to him and he will come to expect it. They learn really quickly, so stick to your guns.

Ta Elastamum, he's starting to improve slowly with the nipping, thank god. I wanted a Vizsla because I had one growing up. She was the calmest, most docile dog in the world, ironically and have since known a couple with very similar natures. My Walter is just off his rocker I think! On the plus side he's very loving, eager to please, very very clever (half the problem I think!) and, at this very moment, asleep for once

Yeah, I think you're right Doodle. Will stop being so soft and put him in his crate more. Either that or throw myself in the Thames...

What a beautiful breed of dog, what did you name him?

Yes he's a handsome little chap! He's called Walter (Wally).

Throw yourself in the crate!

It's dominance SG and at the moment, the pup is gaining it. But you are the Alpha/pack leader and he has to learn that and learn it fast. Dogs are much happier when the pack structure is in the right order! bit like husbands !