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?

Dogs DO vary in basic energy level... somewhat by breed, but even more by individual. A dog that matches his energy level to what's going on in the environment is PERFECT to me. I want a dog who will get excited about training and "doing stuff", but has an "off button" when we are home and relaxing. (no Border Collies for ME, thankyouverymuch! ) It's hard to say what's going on at daycare, and I'd want to see it with my own eyes. A dog who is a bit stressed by his environment can "stress up" and seem "wild" or "busy". I'd want to be SURE that's not what's happening. Or... he could just like to play! Which is fine.

Same thing with the little dog that just wanted to stay on his owner's lap... Was he really "calm"? Or was he staying in the owner's lap for comfort, because he was overwhelmed with all those kids around? Could be either one. You really have to observe the small details CAREFULLY, and really understand dog body language to understand which is going on. What you described with your guy in the classroom sounds like absolutely normal puppy behavior.

That describes Perry perfectly. If we're in public like that he would totally be "calm" to all outward appearance because he'd be totally freaked out and want Mom's protection (he's not as much of a lapdog otherwise). Once he was comfortable or at home he'd vary between the whirling dervish mode and flopped out on the floor