[Bucks93]

Hey!

So, i'm a first time dog owner. I have an 8 month old chihauhau/beagle/basset hound mix. Lately i've been seeing him lose alot of hair. Normally he would slightly shed but it's
been very extreme in the past 2 months. I was bathing him once every 2 weeks but i've calmed down alot due to me thinking that could be the issue with the shedding. Dogs will shed i'm very aware just curious as to it being something that i'm maybe doing wrong?

Secondly, he seems to be very hyper the older he gets. Is there any way i can calm him down just a tad?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DaySleepers]

Some dogs will 'blow coat' in the spring and fall, when they're growing in or out of their winter coat, though it'd be a little early if it's still warm where you are. You may also be seeing a change from a puppy coat to adult coat. Not familiar with any of the breeds in his mix personally, so I don't know how much shedding would be normal, but for many dogs this happens between 6-12 months.

If the hair seems off - brittle, dry, dull - or you're seeing bald spots or unhealthy/abnormal looking skin, definitely have a vet check it out to see if there's an illness, parasite, or nutritional problem at work.

You're heading into the 'teenage' months, so it's very normal to see increased energy. These are some of the most demanding months of your dog's life, and it can last (depending on the breed and individual) until they're 15-24 months, though some dogs are still maturing until three. He should be getting ample mental stimulation every day with training, puzzle toys, and enrichment alongside physical exercise to make sure he's really fulfilled and satisfied. If he's getting plenty of both and still acting up, he may be overtired and not really know how to settle. You can enforce naptime in a quiet space like a pen or crate, offer long-lasting chews like a stuffed, frozen Kong (those calories still count so take care not to overfeed), and practice relaxing in the house with exercises like Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol.

 

[Bucks93]

Some dogs will 'blow coat' in the spring and fall, when they're growing in or out of their winter coat, though it'd be a little early if it's still warm where you are. You may also be seeing a change from a puppy coat to adult coat. Not familiar with any of the breeds in his mix personally, so I don't know how much shedding would be normal, but for many dogs this happens between 6-12 months.

If the hair seems off - brittle, dry, dull - or you're seeing bald spots or unhealthy/abnormal looking skin, definitely have a vet check it out to see if there's an illness, parasite, or nutritional problem at work.

You're heading into the 'teenage' months, so it's very normal to see increased energy. These are some of the most demanding months of your dog's life, and it can last (depending on the breed and individual) until they're 15-24 months, though some dogs are still maturing until three. He should be getting ample mental stimulation every day with training, puzzle toys, and enrichment alongside physical exercise to make sure he's really fulfilled and satisfied. If he's getting plenty of both and still acting up, he may be overtired and not really know how to settle. You can enforce naptime in a quiet space like a pen or crate, offer long-lasting chews like a stuffed, frozen Kong (those calories still count so take care not to overfeed), and practice relaxing in the house with exercises like Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol.

Thank you so much!

That is incredibly helpful. His hair isn't dry or brittle or anything like that so i'm hopeful it's just him shedding to make way into his adult coat.
Are there any puzzle toys that you would recommend? I have kongs because he is a big chewer!