I have six month chocolate lab that has just finished a 8 week training course. The trainer has commented that he is unusually hyper and has asked that I let her know the protein content of his food as 'it should be about 18%'. I feed him Nutro Puppy large breed which is 29%. I think she is implying that this could be the cause. His coat is in excellent condition and he is still on 3 meals a day (140 grams x 3) Can anybody give me some advice please.

Also and whilst not wishing to be cheeky or take advantage any ideas on stoping him jumping up at everybody he meets.

It is possible for dogs to become hyperactive on too much protein. If he is still clearing his bowls on 3 meals a day I would leave him at that but look for a food with a lower protein level.

Too much protein can also cause the puppy to grow too quickly, putting undue stress on the joints and bones.

If you want to stay on a complete food, that is fine, but you might like to consider something like naturediet, about which there are alot of posts.

Unfortunately puppies like to jump up, and I would suggest a firm no, and push him off each and every time he tries to jump up. It shouldn't be hard to teach him to sit at your feet and wait for attention if you wanted to.

Try registering with the board to talk to more people about feeding etc.

Quite a number of Choc's are a bit hyper. My own Beth, although yellow was out of a choc bitch and she was as hyper as they come.

Food can make things worse and not only the protein levels, artificial colourings and some additives can cause trouble with one dog but be perfectly ok with another.

I like to get my Labs off of puppy food as early as possible, certainly by six months and on to adult food. I never bother about junior. (Probably a legacy of the old days when there was only one grade of food, take it of leave it!)

If you decide to change mix a little of the new food with the old, gradually increasing the new and reducing the old until you are feeding just new.

Regards, John