Puppy problems

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

All you helpful peeps-HELP!

Obviously, we got two puppies. Now, this wasn't a problem the first time round with Jake and Brig, both being of similar energy levels and easily trained.

Zak and Bear are clearly very different. Both parents were house pets and had never worked. We wanted pets, not really workers. I had a massive chat with the breeder to ascertain that they were the type of dog we wanted. I know springers are high energy but having had some before and the OH growing up with them, we kind of know what we're doing re training etc, not a problem.

Big problem, though, is that the two brothers are very different re energy levels. I chose Bear because he had nice conformation, a pretty face and was a snuggler. OH chose Zak because he was naughty (climbed out of the cage, flung himself at OH). We are now finding that Zak is very energetic, Bear is happy snuggled with Brig. Because they are only 4 months old, we're careful re amount of exercise so it's hard to keep Zak entertained and allow Bear to sleep more than his brother. Zak gets caged once in a while during the evening because he seems quite hyper and is then calm once allowed out and will happily stay on the bed with the other two.

Any ideas on how to tire out a 4 month old puppy without damaging his bones and how do I balance the two calm ones against the energetic one?

Pic for those who read this far (no Zak, he's on OH's knee in the chair)

 

[CorvusCorax]

Tire him out mentally, lots of games, hide and seek, hide his toys, training, heelwork, distance control. Bit of gundog training? Retrieves, whistle commands etc.

I try, as far as is possible, to exercise/train mine separately as they differ in how much work/stimulation they need - when together I always have one forging out ahead and one lagging behind

Working doesn't always = high and showlines/pet doesn't always mean = calm, as you no doubt now know

 

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

I do indeed know. He's currently snuggled up on his own, having successfully wound up Bear so much that Bear ran up the stairs, nicked a sock, ran back down, refused to lie down, stole some wood from the fireplace, etc. Mad!

 

[Jasperboy]

I have two puppys one mth apart and one mainic the other not so, If the quiter one wants to sleep but is getting wound up by the other I fill a kong each and put them in diffrent rooms. We also just a target stick and clicker trainning its mental games so wont hurt there joints also hiding tip bits under cups. May help

 

[Vizslak]

Yes would agree with CC, do bits and bobs around the house getting him to seek toys etc and if you can get him out on his own for 1 or 2 15 minute sessions a day and start some basic gundog training with him I think you will find it calms him down greatly. So heelwork on and off lead, sits, waits, memory retrieves. At his age though that 15 mins should take half an hour...split it into 3 5 minute sessions with a 5 minute break between each to let him have a break and a mooch around.