Which Dog Food = a Calmer Dog?
 

My yorkie is huge (8.5 pounds). I think it's because of the food I gave him when he was growing (Merrick). Anyway, when I got him he was very calm. But then I changed his food and progressively he's gotten more and more--how can I say this--energetic?

No that's not good enough. He's a crackhead.

It's annoying. My baby just can't sit still for two seconds, every little thing distracts him and he's very excitable.

I know nutrition can make a huge impact on your dog's behavior.

To all the yorkie owners who have a calm dog--what in the world are you feeding them?

I want my calm baby back!

I dont believe food makes them more excitable or calm. How old is he? Mine are 4 and are calm. They eat Natural balance and evangers

He's about to be eight months.

And currently he's eating Merrick Cowboy Cookout.

He will calm down alot by a yr and 1/2.

Good Lord I hope so.

Still taking suggestions, though.

Unless you are sprinkling coffee beans on his food, that's unlikely to be the problem. Is he neutered? How much exercise does he get?

I doubt the food has anything to do with it. I feed both of my boys the same food and I have one calm one and one hyper one and they are a few months apart from each other. Is he neutered? That will calm him down some. Other than that, you're just going to have to wait it out and remember that he is still a puppy and they are usually a bit on the hyper side and yorkies are energetic dogs in general. Also, is he getting enough exercise? Maybe he just has a lot of pent up energy and needs an extra walk or more play time with you.... like for instance, when Smokey starts barking a lot, I know he has extra energy (or wants attention) that needs to get out, so I either play with him or we go for a walk or a car ride or something.

Around 8-10 months of age, a lot of dogs go through a phase where they push the limits. It's adolescence pretty much! Think of him as a 13 year old kid. :)

My Tucker is the exact same way. He is a fire cracker and keeps me on my toes all day long. Taking him out to pee is a chore, he is distracted by cars, birds, bugs, bird poop, the neighbors mowing, even the slightest bit of breeze blowing will distract him. It takes us sometimes almost 15 minutes for him to pee. He is almost 9 months old. I too think that the food he was on a small pup made him bigger than what he was suppose to be, he is almost 9 pounds but I dont think the food has anything to do with how hyper they can be. He has been on 4 or 5 different brands of food and not one has made a difference in how he acts. He has a great little personality and I love him to pieces but Im looking forward to the day that he calms down. :). I have a ton of toys for him, take him outside alot for walks and my kids play with him all night long and so far I havent found anything that works to settle him down. If you find something that works please send the tip on my way..:)

I don't feel food has anything to do with it. He was just pretending to be a nice quiet guy, till you fell head over heels in love with him:p Both of mine eat the same food. Sissy is like, hey man whaz up, laid back and Bubba is the Tazmanian devil.

I would agree with the others who said it's not the food. It's just his personality. Lucky you! :D I'm sure it has a lot to do with his age also. He will calm down as he gets older.

At 8 months, that's the equivalent of the terrible 'twos' in kids.
Food can make a difference, too high a protein can make them hyper. I keep mine at 21%-24% protein.
He will calm down once he gets older.
It also helps to have him neutered, hormones are running full tilt right now, kind of like in teenage kids.
So a dog between 6 months and a year, you have a teenager and a two year old kid in one. LOL

It doesn't sound food related at all. There are certain ingredients that do tend to make contribute to energy level though. I think corn may be one of them.

You've just described my JoJo to a T. He is also 9 months old and oh my God does this little guy have energy! It's like he's on speed lol. I take him for a walk twice a day, and play with him a lot as well, but just like the energizer bunny, he keeps going and going...:p It's funny because when he was younger he was much more mellow and I wished he'd be more energetic. I guess I should've been more careful what I wished for! :rolleyes:

Hi. My larger rescue yorkie (2.5 year old, 11 pounds (not food: Genetics)) was a bundle when i first got her. She came from a family with young kids. I don't think they were supervised and the kids just played with her constantly. Hence, that is what she learned was expected of her.
I, on the other hand, do not want to play constantly, nor do I have the time for it. I think it's important to have limited play times: 20-30 minutes at a time 4-5 times a day for an older puppy. She would just play until she was totally out of control, and started barking and biting for attention. (probably the reason she ended up at the Humane Society)
I like to be with her, just not playing constantly. So I began holding her, and petting her gently. I don't think this was ever done with her. It was funny (and sad) she was so awkward at first. Now, she's much calmer and enjoys being held, and doing non-play activities. She cannot wait for my DH to come home from work. She follows him to the chair and climbs in his lap and sits up for a belly rub. She's fascinated with his full beard (I think she really thinks he's a big dog!) It's so cute ... she is just Ga Ga for him. But it's a gentle, quiet time for her and she really enjoys it. I never thought this would be possible when she first arrived at our home.
She still has her moments, but at least she has learned that we love her whether she is hyper, and most importantly when she is not!