Dutch Shepherd Forum

Right off the bat, this is not a problem, more of an observation. When my pup (just over 3 months) is really tired he does not just crash like most pups. He's crabby, for lack of a better description. He whines/ barks, he'll nip & he'll try & pick a fight with me. It's like a ten minute after burner before he does flame out. He is almost sleeping a full eight hours now with no messing of the crate. But the morning it consists of 1/2 hour exercise time before feed, combined with another 1/2 hour of cuddle/fart time with me or the wife. Again the after burner kicks in for ten minutes then he's out. It's easy to tell when this little guy is tired, because he's a miserable tyrant for a short period of time.
I've had pups in the past that have fallen asleep during their feed time, walk away from their favorite activity for a nap. One would just go right into his kennel voluntarily. But this guy is like a little kid who doesn't know he's tired.

Anybody else notice this about their Shep?

This is just like an over-tired toddler. He needs to learn "place" or "base" so that you can teach him how to relax and that relaxation is a self-rewarding behavior.

I maybe wrong, but it's his indicator to me that it's time to 'kennel up' for the night. when I do take him, there's absolutely no protests when the light's go out.
Last night my wife went to bed & I was headed there, when I fell asleep on the couch with the dog on the floor. 3 am with the tv on, there he was, still past out. So I took him out for a pee, kenneled him up & he was out again before I got the cover over his crate. So it's not completely consistent, but he is still wrangy just before a nap is required.
I think he's going to be a big guy, as he's growing like a weed! So I'm use to the multiple nap times he requires. Right now he is a switch. I'm sure teething isn't helping the situation, but he has lots of chew toys & gets the odd ice cube. It does help.
The other thing I have done from day one, is cut off his water supply at around 6 pm, well after his last exercise. This definitely cut down on his accidents both in the crate & in the house. His wake up call is around 6:30-7 am, after a sound sleep, the 1st morning ritual is to water the flowers!

With proper rest he seems to be a lover not a fighter!LOL!