Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
  1. #1
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    1
    Thanked: 0

    Puppy becoming rowdy in the evenings

    I just got my sweet chocolate lab pup, Blue, about a month ago and he's now 3 months old. My husband and I own a house so we're always playing in the back yard, as well as taking him on at least 2 walks a day for at least 30 minutes each. For the past two weeks he has been getting extremely rowdy at night, when he used to be happy to lay on the couch with us and snuggle. Around 8 pm he starts nipping, biting, running around, barking (playfully) and will just not calm down for anything. We call it "gremlin mode" It seems that he gets to a point where he is so tired that he starts fighting it, similar to a child. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for helping him to calm in the evenings? We work hard to wear him out, he has lots of toys, and he is crate trained to sleep there at night. We also work daily on obedience training, which he is picking up VERY well (aside from not biting and nipping) Any ideas or success stories would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!


  2. #2
    Senior Dog BeataK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Telford UK
    Posts
    683
    Thanked: 415
    I think you're a bit over-exercising him so he is just too tired in the evening. I was sticking quite strictly to the 5 minutes rule exercise per month of age (up to twice a day) until Shelby was about 1 year old. According to that rule a 3 months old puppy shouldn't walk longer that 15 minutes (up to twice a day). I wish I knew about that when Barney was a puppy, maybe his joints would be in better condition + he used to be a little crocodile in the evenings for quite a few months.

  3. #3
    Real Retriever Archie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Niagara
    Posts
    409
    Thanked: 444
    Could be a phase. He's getting older so has more energy. I remember when Archie stopped napping in the evenings and started staying awake from after work til bedtime. It just meant playing tug while watching TV rather than sitting on the couch - stuff like that. Also a great time to do some training to tire out his mind as well
    Laura, Archie & Quinn
    Hidden Content

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Eastern Ontario Canada
    Posts
    3,336
    Thanked: 2070
    Welcome

    Quote Originally Posted by kp1146 View Post
    It seems that he gets to a point where he is so tired that he starts fighting it, similar to a child.
    exactly this. so i would crate him just before the time he does this for a nap (throw in an appropriate chew toy or treat)

  5. #5
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    10,985
    Thanked: 6722
    Archie, who is 6, has an evening twang. At this moment, he is running through the house, outside, back in and around the house again. It's normal for him.

    Not too great on puppy advice. Sounds like you've been given some good information and ideas.

  6. #6
    Best Friend Retriever Polly Pipkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    BC
    Posts
    605
    Thanked: 190
    Puppies can get over-stimulated and need calming down and they need us to regulate their activities. Sometimes they need to be reminded it's nap time, just like a child. I'd get him used to his crate or bed, give him a stuffed frozen Kong to chew on and he'll get into the routine!
    Hidden Content Katy & Polly

    Hidden Content

    Duchess Jan. 31, 2000 - Dec. 18, 2011, Always in our hearts

  7. #7
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,917
    Thanked: 1052
    Over tired. Maverick did this too. He was past tired and just plain cranky. We'd kennel him for a little bit and let him out in an hour or so. It'll pass quickly and then you won't be able to tire him out anymore

  8. #8
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Williamsburg, Virginia
    Posts
    2,610
    Thanked: 2964
    Kimber was like that. We responded by exercising her more and more and we created, in the words of one vet, "an endurance monster." If we could do it over again, I'd play with her plenty but when she got wound up in the evening, follow the advice above and have her settle down with a frozen kong.
    Stormageddon, Princess of Darkness, aka "Stormy"
    Birthday 9-13-18, Gotcha Day 11-11-18
    Hidden Content

    Miss Kimber, CGC, 6/15/2005-1/27/2018 forever in our hearts



  9. The Following User Says Thank You to kimbersmom For This Useful Post:

    Polly Pipkin (10-21-2014)

  10. #9
    Senior Dog ZoeysMommy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,342
    Thanked: 729
    Its normal, you arent over exercising or doing anything wrong. Hes over tired and being a pain in the butt. Give him something to chew on in his crate. This toddler phase will pass

  11. #10
    House Broken charlie55's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Cali
    Posts
    101
    Thanked: 63
    Quote Originally Posted by Tanya View Post
    Welcome



    exactly this. so i would crate him just before the time he does this for a nap (throw in an appropriate chew toy or treat)
    When Charlie was that age, he used to do the same thing. At about 9 ish he would get a 2nd win...ahhhh. It was a phase for Charlie.

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •