Overstimulated puppies - that’s a Thing, right?

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Our adored pup is 12 weeks and had her second jabs last week so today she came on the school run both ways (car but plenty of fussing from kids on arrival) and a little walk at lunchtime and then drive-through McD, and then a lot of fun in the garden. But she got VERY nippy so I popped her in her crate. She was crying to come out and one of the kids let her out just minutes later. Then she bit him - not enough to draw blood but enough to shock him. I think she is knackered and over stimulated, like a toddler. DS is now worried we “might have a bad one.”

I’m right aren’t I? She’s absolutely sparked out on my lap now.

As a puppy when ours got a bit mouthy it generally meant he was tired but too over excited to sleep. The child was taught very early not to disturb him in his crate and not to let him out without permission. He's matured into a very loving and affectionate dog now but still refuses to sleep if he thinks he might miss something

Yes it’s absolutely a thing. A twelve week old puppy is still a baby. She still needs lots of nap time and chill time at this age. Over stimulating her will result in a tantrum.

Puppies are like toddlers with needles for teeth. It does get better.

Absolutely a thing and it doesn't stop at tiny puppy. We got our rescue dog at 1yo and on weekends when everyone was home and the house was busy / on the go all the time we would have to sit down in the living room with him just so he would have a nap. If not he would just act crazy, stealing socks and chewing things he shouldn't.

Ahhh that’s good. I thought I was right, and she has such a lovely friendly nature all the time and wants to be friends with everyone.

Oh yes stealing is a thing, and not just socks! She stole gloves from my mum’s handbag, some tools off a tradesman that was here, and has run around the drive dragging some fetching green knickers. She also “herds” the football around too, with lots of growls and grunts.

Our puppy is 15 weeks and goes crazy, nipping, chasing and going for ankles, especially when he is tired. I am constantly removing him away from my 2 younger kids to his puppy pen or the garden. It’s like a toddler getting over-excited and uncontrollable. My mother in law also expressed (not in so many words...) a view that he might be particularly difficult, but thankfully I am on a group for the breed on Facebook and there was a thread about just this issue with everyone saying their puppies had been like this (terriers), which I could show her in his defence! So I think it’s normal and really looking forward to him growing out of it. Also have some training sessions lined up which am hoping will help.

That’s heartening. Ours is a terrier mix.

I have an almost 3 year old dog who turns into an absolute gobshite when he's tired and overstimulated!

Just overwhelmed, pup has only been in existence for 12 weeks and is being bombarded with new experiences. It’s hard to resist playing with cute puppies but she is probably telling you she needs more downtime and security and less stimulation.

Being that poster!

Be careful with the school run. It can be mighty overwhelming for many puppies. There is a thin line between socialising and flooding some puppies. If possible stand away and observe what is going on and try to avoid "oh its a puppy stampede" that can happen. Restrict the number of people that approach or walk away quickly when the puppy has met some people.

Absolutely. No more school run got a good while