behavior change

[800813]

my 7 month old cocker is normally so hyper and energetic and it seems the past week or so all he wants to do is lay around. is this normal?

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Puppies' behavior of course varies by breed, individual dog parents, the individual and the environment into which it is placed, among other factors. Generally dogs go through stages of maturity much as do human children, albeit at an accelerated pace.
The "7 years per each human year" is not accurate. My personal way of explaining the maturing/aging process to clients is as follows:

Dogs achieve the dog equivalent of a 21 year old human("social maturity") by 18 to 24 months of age, in other words they reach their social maturity at that age. A 6 month old dog could be viewed as a 13 or 14 year old human with all the impulsivity and immature behavior that may entail.

"Quieting down" may never occur, if that means to you losing playfulness and vigor of activity. However at social maturity most dogs, given proper guidance for the entire time until then, learn to stop doing the stupid stuff like chewing our things, eating their stools and driveway rocks etc., by 18 t 24 months. You should teach "get calm" early to a dog.  In that time it is also important to teach "leave it" with respect to things and other animals like cats and squirrels and that the word "no" means stop whatever you are doing, right now.

No, get calm, sit, down, off, leave it, get busy, come, stay are all 1 or 2 word commands that should be learned by 24 months of age. Note that off is different than down. "Off" is for get off of whatever you are on, whereas down is for lay the chest on the ground. "Get busy" is for do your business or whatever other words you like for that. Exercise is not needed for doing ones business by the way, and should be taught as a separate concept. There is no need to walk a dog to get a bowel movement done. Walking is for fun. Pooping is for making room for future meals and on cold winter or rainy days you want that done efficiently.

If your puppy is not normally active as a 7 month old, see your doctor, he may be ill.

[800813]

at what age is it normal for them to start to calm down? someone told me that it could be that he has just reached the age where he is maturing and not so active. he is still active when he wants to but just alot less than normal.

thanks.
Nae

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Puppies of that age are normally quite alert and active.
See your veterinarian to ensure the puppy is well.

Dr G