Puppy crazy zoomies, how long does this last?

[Anonymous]

We have 2 speeds, calmly laying in crate for a few minutes and then wild crazed play (adorable but exhausting) in which she shakes all her toys, runs from toy to toy, try to play tug with our clothes (that we are wearing). How long does this phase last? A month? -a year? I have not been letting her nap in her crate as we have been trying to get this energy out and go on "adventures". Could overstimulation lead to the puppy crazies or is it unrelated and a normal part of raising a puppy. Help me not lose my mind. I love this little fur ball. But, man this is harder than raising kids.

[Anonymous]

A long time, and double it for labs and lab mixes. A year at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A long time, and double it for labs and lab mixes. A year at least.

Yikes!

[Anonymous]

I'm new dog owner, but when my puppy starts acting way too crazy - e.g. nipping hands and tuging our clothes - we put him into crate with chew toy to calm down. Other crazy play with toys and boxes, and empty plastic bottles are fine with me.
We also try to teach him basic commands - sit, down, stay, touch, on the mat, fetch. Believe it or not - it wears craziness out almost same way as running around in circles.
Oh, and I would never wake up pup (just like a baby) - let her sleep, they need their beauty naps.
PS I would recommend checking out puppy classes- I learn a lot about dogs and how to train them so I won't go crazy.

[Anonymous]

How old?
We have a labradoodle who calmed down significantly around 7-8 months. She still has tons of energy, but she spends more time acting like a dog

[Anonymous]

If they are either in crate or zooming we found that more time out of crate-paced activity-helps. Once at 4 months when they start zipping it is fun and practical to put on the leash and practice walking/heeling/sitting staying etc with treats.

Tires them out and becomes fun-also work on catch, bring, drop.

[Anonymous]

I guess it depends- I have a 3 year old golden that'll still do it every once in a while! But I would say it happened frequently for the first year or so of his life

[Anonymous]

Depends on the breed. Some dogs have longer puppyhoods. We have German Shepherds. They start calming down around a year but still have a lot of puppy in them until they are close to 2. However, they do stop the crazy bouncing off the wall stuff a little sooner. I try to look at the good stuff. My German Shepherds were completely potty trained by about 9 weeks old - about a week after we brought them home. That was huge to me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A long time, and double it for labs and lab mixes. A year at least.

Most dogs are crazed for the first 2 years. Stretch it to 3 years for labs. I also had a beagle mix who was nuts until she turned 3. This is why I only adopt adult dogs. I don't have to deal with crazy puppies, and it also allows me to identify dogs with temperament or potential health problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A long time, and double it for labs and lab mixes. A year at least.

Yikes!

You were clearly unprepared for dealing with a puppy if you think a year is a long time to calm down. It's very normal.

[Anonymous]

Lol, my 6 year old scruffy mutt still does this a few times a week It makes me happy to watch her zoom and ounce and play like a puppy.

[Anonymous]

My 6-year-old Jack Russell goes flying through the house at mach 4 at least three times a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the breed. Some dogs have longer puppyhoods. We have German Shepherds. They start calming down around a year but still have a lot of puppy in them until they are close to 2. However, they do stop the crazy bouncing off the wall stuff a little sooner. I try to look at the good stuff. My German Shepherds were completely potty trained by about 9 weeks old - about a week after we brought them home. That was huge to me!

Omg, ours too! And this is our first dog. One poop accident when we first got him at 8 or 9 weeks, and that was it.

At age 6, he still zooms (more like crashes, at 85 lbs) around the house when the mood strikes him, usually a few times a week in the evenings, chasing after his ball, and trying to engage us to play with him. He's so cute.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read all of the replies, but what worked with my WILD lab mx pup was LOTS of exercise. She and I ran each day and got in great shape. Exercise can also be doggy daycare, dog park visits, hikes, etc. She was way too tired to continue with the zooming, digging, etc. Dogs are like kids - they need to release their energy. My pup died 3 years ago at age 15. I would give anything to see her zooming again. Enjoy your enjoy dog at each stage. This too shall pass. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the breed. Some dogs have longer puppyhoods. We have German Shepherds. They start calming down around a year but still have a lot of puppy in them until they are close to 2. However, they do stop the crazy bouncing off the wall stuff a little sooner. I try to look at the good stuff. My German Shepherds were completely potty trained by about 9 weeks old - about a week after we brought them home. That was huge to me!

Omg, ours too! And this is our first dog. One poop accident when we first got him at 8 or 9 weeks, and that was it.

At age 6, he still zooms (more like crashes, at 85 lbs) around the house when the mood strikes him, usually a few times a week in the evenings, chasing after his ball, and trying to engage us to play with him. He's so cute.

They are just the best!