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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Utah
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Energy level
I’m curious about learning more regarding energy level and drive in dogs. Our dog has been characterized as hyper by others on several occasions. Daycare is sweet and tactful - they say, “There was a little puppy here today that actually matched his energy level and he was so happy!”
He seems to always match the energy level of where he is, so at home he is very calm and at daycare, where there is always something going on, he is always moving. I can see why their perception is that he’s high energy. When we’re playing, he will always immediately engage and keep going until we stop, but then he’ll calm down.
The first indication I had that this isn’t always the case was when DD’s friend brought their new puppy to school for “show and tell” last year right when I happened to be dropping off DD’s lunch. DD had just taken our puppy to school the week before, and they were the same age, so I had some context for comparison, and I was shocked at how calm the other puppy was. I didn’t feel like our puppy had misbehaved, though, just that he was wiggly and wanted to sniff everything and say hi. He obeyed and stayed close and he was friendly. The other puppy was also a smaller breed, and she just sat in her owner’s arm and occasionally licked. Their temperaments were night and day.
I’m not sure I feel a need to DO anything, I’m just curious about understanding this better, and understanding my dog better. Does anyone have any suggestions for reading about energy level and drive?