why is my dog hyper?

Question
why is my puppy always hyper after he eats and he starts biting is it normal? how do i teach him not to?
Thank you

Answer
Puppies do have "hyper" bursts of activity at various times throughout the day.  This is normal.  It can occur after eating with the increase in blood sugar and simply in response to the excitement of eating (dogs love to eat!).  Also many dogs have a case of the "zoomies" in the evening.  You'll notice behavior patterns like this if hyour observant.  They do outgrow this somewhat as they age.

However, you shouldn't allow the dog to go overboard and bite at you.  Gentle mouthing is normal, but I like to establish a rule that there should be no teeth on skin.  Dogs normally play this way with each other, but they can learn not to put teeth on humans.  To teach this, when playing with your puppy on the floor, continue the "game" until you feel that first tooth.  When you feel that FIRST tooth, even if it doesn't hurt, quickly stand up, clap, and say in a startling voice, "Leave it!"  Look away, standing with your hands up and out of reach for 5-10 seconds, then get down to the dog's level and continue the game.  Repeat this process every time you feel teeth and the dog will quickly learn that to contiunue play, he must refrain from using teeth.  If the dog is persistent after several repititions, give him a 2 minute time out in the crate.  This is VERY effective because it FORCES the dog to stop the behavior and makes your command effective.  You always want your commands to be followed and if the behavior continues despite your attempts to stop it, the dog has learned that you are completely ineffective.  You really have no way to enforce the rules and there is really no consequence (other than the brief few seconds of interuppted play).  If your timing is good, the dog will make the association of this behavior --> consequence.  Expect improvement after just a few days (or less).  

Please see our handout on Handling Bad Behavior: http://downstay.com/docs/handling-bad-behaviors.doc