One of my puppies has come back to stay for a few days while the owners are on holiday.  It is startling to see the difference between an only child (puppy girl) and the puppy I kept who is part of the pack here. 

My visiting pup is totally hyper, despite being given the same basic food as the others, and plays games by herself.  When she picks up a toy in the garden she doesn't offer it to the others for a game of tug as they would but is bemused by the others paying attention to her because of the toy.  She will toss a ball around and chase after it and generally run about all the time wagging herself over with enthusiasm.  Interestingly she has over long walks every day, in excess of three miles, and is not tired at bed time.  At home she is a picky eater, won't return on command and is not happy about lead exercises.

Her sister by contrast is pretty laid back, for a Beardie, eats well and is very obedient for a 17 week pup.  She has 4 x 20 minute walks a day, half on lead half free, and enjoys group activity, eats well and settles at night.

When they all left for their new homes they were pretty alike in their behaviour and this is quite surprising but only goes to reinforce the fact that environment and training has a huge effect on puppies.

After 24 hours she is slightly calmer, will come on command but doesnt like her collar held, and eats like a horse.  It is going to be interesting to see how she shapes up over the next 24 hours. 

Thats interesting to me, our pup is 6 months now and hyper...It isn't my imagination he just gets so very excited at obedience, at handling and every other social time, whether we go out or people come in.
What can we do? He does training and plays with us all, also has 2 walks a day. He does have a good temperment but will still mouth if he can get away with it.
I wondered if he was spoiled with too much attention, please advise as I would love him to calm a bit in these situations. Not least as he is going to his first show next weekend!
Do you think I have to wait till he has company, I was going to wait 18 or months before considering another?

The biggest calmer is ignoring them.  It is so hard to do but it is very effective.  When they are jumping at you and demanding attention ignore them.  When you have decided to sit and be quiet wait for him to sit or lay beside you then give gentle soothing attention.

I know from previous experience that the temptation is to give back the manic behaviour with an equally manic stoking and fussing session but it really isn't necessary.  I save the exciting stuff for play time, which I instigate, and when I take the toys away the mad play stops.

My older puppy was difficult at first and would mouth and drive me mad demanding attention, but she is also very sweet and it is so difficult to ignore her.  It took many months for the penny to drop with her that I would not react if she was a pain but at 8 months she really has got the message and is a dream.  She will still jump up occasionally if I ignore a particularly nice show stand but generally she is very good.

The other half has been training dogs for over 25 years but isn't stuck in a rut and has kept up with developments.  He still insists however on not greeting the dogs the minute he walks in the door.  He will go and get changed and do various other things for 10 minutes then he talks to the dogs.  He feels that this way they learn not to expect immediate fussing when they want it and it does work.

My visiting puppy is now lying again by my feet not running around panting and wearing herself out.  She has been for two 20 minute walks so far and has met quite a few dogs.  The first walk was stressful for both of us but the second one she walked on a loose lead (I had two leads on her just in case she decided to run).

Your boy still needs his quiet time and I would be tempted to make sure he spent that with me if he were mine rather than the anyone else.  He is still a baby and it is an uphill struggle for the first 18 months so I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Try not to worry about the show either, I still get nervous and it shows, the judge wont be expecting miracles from a minor puppy - just make him look good on the move.  Best of luck with the show.

I was right about spoiling him then, too much attention...He is so sweet and does have a good temperament, (it was put to test at the vets recently after swallowing something that jammed in his back passage).
We've only had one dog before and dont remember her being quite like it, she was easy pleased if she had something to hold in her mouth. He doesn't work like that.
I will have all the household ignoring him for the first little while when coming in....so hard....
The show still terrifies me we didn't do that before either, but am realistic to know that most of the others there are from very experienced homes, it is quite a captive crowd here. If he works out at it we will venture over to the mainland but that wont be just yet.
My boy is feisty and probably will remain so,but we will all do our best by him.
Thanks for your reassurance and its good to know your visitor is benefitting from being with you.
Karen

despite many people i know assuming i must live in a mad house, it's actually very laid back around here and i think this helped nips settle down earlier than i'd expected even though we have brilliant lively times too. we do have plenty of visitors but they tend to be dog loving adults who don't encourage the pup to go hyper and will simply ignore attention seeking devices!

i also tend to follow the old adage about letting sleeping dogs (and pups) lie and while i love to have a a doggy cuddle or a silly conversation with the lad, if he's quiet i leave him well alone and won't pick him up or encourage him to play when, if left to his own devices he'd just have a nice slothful zzzzzz.

We do let him lie, I think though we have allowed too much oohing aand aahing at him instead of firmness. Today I was walking him up the road and met a neighbour, because she is frail(the neighbour) I had to be firm, but this lady is a dog lady and instantly fell in with me when I said I was ignoring his noises and jumping for attention. So lo and behold  and backs turned on him...it didn't last long he got bored trying to get attention.! It will work out I am just in need of constant reassurance, Just like the boy...I guess.

he's just a lad though and we all know what chaps can be like when they think they mightn't be getting the attention they know they deserve!

(apologies to all the chaps on here who are, of course, quietly appreciative of whatever crumbs of attention fall in their direction! ;) )

You are so right....I should have cottoned on sooner That is probably why I quite like the boys too!

Well my little girl is back for her two weeks stay with us.  She has remembered her recall, albeit a bit raggedy, and walks tolerably well on the lead.  The interesting thing is the way the others are reacting to her.  Clearly she remembers fun and games but both her litter sister and older TT puppy have had to put her in her place when she has just gone completely over the top.  Litter sister is now resting with dad while TT wrestles with returned girl.  Peace reigns again.

Their mother, however, is having none of it - this lovely little girl has no manners and goes bounding up to every thing and every one including mum who has left her in no doubt who is in charge.  It leaves me with no doubt that keeping two puppies of the same age is an extremely difficult task if you want to have reasonable control over them.

We are all currently ignoring her until she is sitting and turning away the minute she jumps up.  I have to say that I have now resorted to shacking my stone tin to stop the little tyke from being a pain.  She obviously hasn't met this device before and it works a treat.  We are going to dog school tonight.  Two babies in the bottom class, one older puppy in middle and two lovely big kids in the advanced class.  I think we need our heads looking at - pass the Prozac