hyper puppy?

[otakupunk]

another question about my Loki (oooh 2 in one day). He is a bit of a hyper pup at 10 months old.. when he is out of the crate he is always moving... he may sit down for 5 seconds but then he's moving again and he will only nap if i put him in the crate some time during the day (which i only do when he starts getting cranky and non responsive to commands on weekends) or when dinner is being prepared (this is troublesome when I try to spend a half hour on homework and he keeps wanting to play some more). Now we usually go for a 20 minute walk everyday and play for 30 minutes to an hour after work, weekends its a little more and when its not raining we go to the park or somewhere where we can have an afternoon outing.. I have read some books and they said that i should start switching him over to adult food earlier then 12 months and it could help. Is this normal behavior for a boxer his age? and is there and validity in what the books said? TIA

 

[jaimie]

Your pup is just being a Boxer! My girls are the same way and when we first get home from somewhere (I am a stay at home mom) they are absolutely so full of energy I have no idea what to do with them sometimes. (My girls are 7 1/2 y/o and 5 months). My puppy Brandy (5 mo old) is already on adult dog food. I have been told that after 3-4 months they can be changed to adult food, then I have also heard 6 months. One thing just make sure do NOT put your Boxer on Large Breed dog food-boxers are not large breed dogs. As far as changing the food making him calmer-IMO-no! Boxers are very energetic dogs and are always on the go, they need lots of exercise to get rid of that energy.


Jaimie

 

[otakupunk]

Thanks jaimie I figured it was pretty normal, my parents told me they have never seen a dog that is on the go as much as mine thats the only reason i was asking. Luckely his new rope frisbee toy keeps him busy enough so i can do homework for a few minutes... today at least

 

[jaimie]

Have you tried getting him a Kong? You can fill it with Peanut butter, yogart, among other things and you will be surprised how busy it keeps them. Also, my pup likes Greenies that keeps her busy for a bit too. But, I tell ya some people swear by the Kongs, my older girl isn't interested (she is not a chewer though) but my pup loves them filled with peanut butter & bananas

Jaimie

 

[mobrian]

When people say Jesse is hyper I tell them, "she is not hyper she is just active".

Definitely take him off of the puppy food. He may be on a bit of a protein high.

 

[gmacleod]

You can definitely switch him over to adult food - generally speaking, puppy food should only be fed till around 4 months of age.

As for the hyper - well, it could just be him and he may grow out of it to a degree. My Stella was much the same - I don't think I ever saw that girl just *walk* anywhere till she was a year old, she was a total energiser bunny. Since about thirteen months, she's settled down a lot - matured in attitude and doesn't get so overexcited by the smallest thing. Your boy may be the same - I wouldn't be expecting a couch potato any time soon though (gotta love 'em) :D

 

[Andi20]

Originally posted by gmacleod
You can definitely switch him over to adult food - generally speaking, puppy food should only be fed till around 4 months of age.

What if they're on an all-stage food like Canidae? I'm not concerned about Xena or anything, just curious. The only thing I'm supposed to do with Xena when she becomes an adult is lower the amount, but she seems to be limiting herself already. Watching her girlish figure I think

 

[Lizzie]

Actually I disagree tht puppy food should only be fed until around 4 months of age. Both of my dogs have been fed puppy until around 9-10 months of age - particularly Monty who grew at such a rate upwards it was phenomenal. I think that it depends on the individual dog myself.

Monty at now 15 months of age still doesn't just walk anywhere he trots - he a 'busy' boy. I think sometimes even Diva looks at him as if to say 'geesh, will you relax!" Loki sounds like he is doing just fine.

 

[gmacleod]

Originally posted by Andi20
What if they're on an all-stage food like Canidae?

An all-stage food is just fine - great in fact, because you can adjust to suit her needs simply by feeding a greater or lesser amount, as required.

Puppy food can be just a bit rich for some pups and cause growth and joint problems if they wind up growing too fast (exactly the theory behind lower protein large breed foods, as large breds often have this problem). But it can happen in medium breeds too - but is simply avoided by switching over to adult food.

Here's a recent thread on the topic if you want to read more:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41766

 

[basak]

Krose is 2 next month and he is one hyper dog!:D

He eats lamb and rice because of his allergies (adult type too) but that doesn't seem to stop him.:rolleyes: He can't gain any weight because I think he burns those calories so fast! He is so energetic and active. He has a 5 year old friend, Boxy, tires her out so bad you would not believe:p Sometimes when they're playing, Boxy looks at him like ''man, I'm an old lady, go play with someone else'' :p
I am waiting for the day that Krose will calm down finally. That day may never come
I love him to pieces

basak