Puppies with Multiple Personalities...

[ManthaJay]

We've had Corbin for over a week now, and in that time he has been the most laid back and loving boy. However, today its like he is an entirely different puppy. He has 3 times the energy he has previously displayed, and he's far far more vocal than he has been. He also started whining in his crate at 4am and would not stop, where he had been sleeping through the night without a sound until 7am. The only thing that has changed between yesterday and today is a dewormer from the vet given last night, and I started switching his food to a much better brand. Could either of these be responsible for the changling puppy we're dealing with today?

[Fluffypants]

The new food could be giving him more energy. Try giving him some extra exercise and see if that helps. He probably just needs an outlet for his new-found spunk!

[Jespah]

I suppose the de-wormer and the new food could affect his physical being and therefore his mental. But to me its sounds like he's figuring things out; how his new pack works, what his life is and is just developing as a pup would. He's going to get more confident in knowing the routines and ways things happen in your home and he will start being more involved rather than an observer. He may simply have had a more full bladder at 4Am today than yesterday. He's a pup - he's going to test you and both he and you are going to learn who he is in the next two years!! Have fun with him, relax and let him know the rules and you all should be fine!

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by Jespah

I suppose the de-wormer and the new food could affect his physical being and therefore his mental. But to me its sounds like he's figuring things out; how his new pack works, what his life is and is just developing as a pup would. He's going to get more confident in knowing the routines and ways things happen in your home and he will start being more involved rather than an observer. He may simply have had a more full bladder at 4Am today than yesterday. He's a pup - he's going to test you and both he and you are going to learn who he is in the next two years!! Have fun with him, relax and let him know the rules and you all should be fine!

Good point Deb - could be that too!
Puppy-raising is a lot of trial and error!

[Chip's Mom]

If your puppy had worms and wasn't being fed a puppy food that is agreeable to him, then when he was dewormed and you changed his puppy food, he may just be feeling better and have more energy. Worms take alot away from a pup really quick. My Dale started out as a sweet loving little corgi boy who was quiet and after we got him all straightened around he has changed into an active little outlaw who is definitely not a cuddler.

[glencorgi]

I agree with Deb. Most likely he's become acclimated, gotten through his adjustment period and coming into his own.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Yes. Corbin's come out of his shell and showing his true self.
Worm tablets work fast but I don't think they work so fast as to make such a huge difference in one day. I hope you didn't have to take Corbin to a vet just for a worm dosage. In NZ, one buys the top brands of puppy and adult worm tablets from pet shops and vet clinic shops. In fact I was given a top of the range worm tablet suitable for a large dog ( so I'll cut it in half and give Taylor a half tablet when he is next due for one) as part of an agility prize.

[ManthaJay]

Thanks for all of your help to calm my initial panic. We ended up taking him to the vet because he starting having diarrhea, and it appears that most of his vocalization was due to discomfort from intestinal gas that may have been a result of changing his food (even though we were doing it fairly slowly). He has kept the energy increase, though, and he's starting 'talking' now!