Another hyeractive dog... a bit devastated

[Doggingit]

My last dog was extremely highly strung and hyperactive. I had him for 13 crazy years. I believe this was partly down to his breed. I waited 5 years for another dog and did my homework on the type of dog to have. My friend also has this breed of dog and she's extremely laid back.

So, I went to a breeder, chose the pup who basically chose me and brought her home 3 weeks ago. So far, life has been upside down since she came. She's in a great routine but she's relentless. She barely sleeps unless I put her in her crate. My evenings are absolutely awful. She runs me ragged. I have limited her space so that she's not into absolutely everything and I am tiring her out but she's relentless. My friend keeps commenting that her dog was never like this. I am putting her in her crate to nap every hour or so.

I took her to the vets yesterday for her second vaccination and the vet commented "she's a bit extra." I asked what she meant and she said "hyperactive, she's crazy."

I won't lie. I cried a bit on the way home. I really didn't want another hyperactive dog. I have enrolled her into puppy classes and I'm training her myself also but I'm exhausted by her. I find myself putting her in her crate just to have a break. She won't even sit on my lap and settle. She's just constantly on the go. I had such a stressful time with my last dog who clearly had a lot of behavioural issues, maybe doggy ADHD even and now I have another hyper dog.

Can anyone ease my stress/worry/upset? Can I make her calmer in any way? Has anyone ever had a crazy pup whose turned out to be an amazing dog once matured? I don't want to let her go as the children will be heartbroken. I wish the vet hadn't said anything 😕.

If you wanted a quiet dog I wouldn’t have got anything with a poodle mixed in , they are highly intelligent and energetic .

Sounds like puppy is overestimulated and not getting enough sleep.

An overtired puppy is a bitey, nutty, annoying puppy.

My dog was the same for the first year or so. Now he’s the calmest boy ever. Loves a cuddle and a sleep on the sofa!

"Even an experienced vet can’t really tell a dog’s nature from a brief snapshot visit"

I usually have a fair idea by 2nd vax. If it's in them, it's in them, to a large extent, and a lot of inbred dogs are neurotic. I know the parents are unrelated as different breeds (assuming pup is an F1) but the parents used to make these crosses are often inbred crap specimens of their respective breeds. Bichons particularly are a very, very mixed bag physically and temperamentally. They seem to be a common backyard breeder unregistered dog even if reputed to be purebred, and I've only ever seen one lot of really good looking, "proper" breed standard Bichons - these belonged to a KC reg breeder who bred and showed only Bichons, and all her dogs had lovely steady temperaments.

On the bright side, both mini/medium poodles and Bichons, even crap ones, and their crosses, rarely turn into vicious nutters, so there is that. Good luck with the pup OP, you never know some of them turn out steadier than it looks like they're going to be.

Have you tried doing lots of games with her. Using their nose and brain will tire them out loads, teach her to retrieve, sit wait etc, loads of sniffing games, hiding treats and getting her to find them.

Lickimats and kongs are life savers - we use all sorts, yogurt, honey, boiled carrots mashed, any veg, peanut butter etc. Put them in the freezer and they will last ages!

Take her out and get some exposure, take her in the car to your local supermarket and let her watch the trollies hear the noises etc. Our behaviourist suggested all of these and they worked a treat!

It’s a puppy…. they are nightmares on the whole. I don’t think many are calm! Which is why I’ll only ever rescue older dogs - at least that’s the future plan!

It’ll pass. Reward good behaviour, ignore the bad. Get a kong, put food in and freeze it etc Take puppy to training. It’ll be ok.

I wanted the intelligence and energy of a poodle for long walks and games, bichon for a softer, lap dog side. This is exactly the temperament of my friend's. I know they're all going to be different, but she is quite the opposite! Highly intelligent though. She already knows many commands and is fantastic on the lead. Part of me wonders if this is why she's full on. My old dog was a collie and also incredibly intelligent.

She sounds like a puppy.

You seriously cannot yell at 12 weeks old what she will be like as an adult, with any certainty.

Be calm around her. Praise clam. Reward calm. And accept you won't know the adult dog for another 18+ months.

You're locking your puppy in a cage for frequent periods and then wondering why it's hyper when it has some freedom???? Go figure! Perhaps a hamster would be a better pet for you.

The overwhelming majority of dogs are mad until they are 6 months - you will have no idea of her adult temperament at this stage!
They can't switch on/off genetics - the best thing you can do is look into brain activity games - she's a little young, but puzzle games, scent training etc. Don't make the mistake of exercising her to wear her out, it just builds a strong dog who needs loads of exercise! Wear her brain out.
Also agree pup might be overstimulated enforce naptimes - put her in a crate/puppy pen with a comfy bed and pay her no attention and keep things calm

This. Our moni poodle was totally crazy and only calmed down in very old age.

"She already knows many commands and is fantastic on the lead."

That's brilliant. She'll probably be OK then. A stupid (or not stupid, but non amenable to training), hyper dog is a nightmare but I've known a fair few full-on, maximum wattage dogs but are absolutely ON IT when they are told to sit or lie down in the waiting room. Dogs and owners usually end up happy albeit owners may have prematurely grey hairs and an air of exhaustion.

Our mini poodle was very energetic for the first couple of years, but since then he’s been a calm lap dog. At 13 weeks I don’t think you can make a judgement.

She sounds completely normal OP. Cut her some slack!

I have. A poodle bichon bits of other things mix and she was a mad mad bitey nightmare puppy. She is now 2 and an absolute calm loving dog. I think we just forget that all puppies are a bit special.

Puppies are usually quite bonkers for a few months and have to learn to rest and relax ,
this is where a crate or a puppy pen comes in if you’re choosing to use one
whilst you shouldn’t be walking too much at a young age, some dogs you won’t wear out. The more exercise you give, the more they want.
To tire a dog out then they need to use their brain. So scent games are ideal. Don’t put all their food in the bowl at dinner time, spread it on the floor or in a snuffle mat (assuming it’s kibble that is). Use stuffed kongs, lick mats are good too. JR pet products do some natural treats which will occupy him for a while. (Although some smell rank, dogs do love em’ 😆)

How old are your children? Mine were 12 and 10 when we got our puppy and to be quite frank a dog trainer was a godsend because they listened to him. He was worth every penny to calm the kids down and see the value of being consistent and not just revving her up as soon as my back was turned

If it's any consolation,our dog was an absolutely bonkers puppy.He'd nip,chase shadows and lights and had zero recall. He's a working cocker working collie cross and exhibited the worst traits of both breeds. We were asked to leave two separate dog training classes,three trainers told us that he was untrainable and gave us our money back.

He's 4 now,and the best behaved dog that we've ever had. We did lots of trick training,which he loves,( it's a shame that he doesn't like other dogs because he's amazing at agility). He works on the farm once or twice a week, working sheep is his favourite thing in the world,and he knows if it's a 'work' day. He'll pretty much sleep all evening and night if he's been working.
In your shoes,I'd try trick training,and try and make sure that she doesn't get over tired,as that's when they get toddler like and the worst behaviour exhibits itself.

Oh op, I've got a 2yr old Poochon and she's crazy nuts!
She's trained, walked 2-3 times a day, lots of sniffer toys, played with alot and she still does the zoomies several times a day.

Give her a chance. She is a tiny baby.

Sounds pretty normal to me. I've a Border Terrier who was an absolute whirlwind when he was that age, I was exhausted. So many times I thought what the hell have I done (previous dog a lot more chilled). He's 2 now and still a bit of a dickhead but a lot more chilled.

I think you just have to be consistent....and ride it out 😕

We have had a puppy for ten days she's eleven weeks. She is allowed to run daft in the garden but indoors she has lots of toys we have some playtime but then basically ignore her so she calms down and curls up to sleep usually on the sofa with me. Today the grandchildren came, she was definitely over stimulated and over tired. Restless. Again we ignored her, she settled eventually.

I completely disagree that puppies should barely be walked. It's essential!

I have bichons and they’re so chilled out if walked enough. I also wouldn’t recommend putting your dog in a crate, as it’s just a cage really. Anything with Bichon in it will not want to be crated/caged as they’re highly intelligent and emotional dogs. I understand the rules say only short walks when young but clearly your dog is desperate for more exercise and stimulation. Maybe invest in some licky mats, lots of toys and ball throwing etc. it’ll get better though I promise!

She loves her crate. It's the only place she settles. She never cries in there so I disagree with the advice that crates are bad. Each to their own.