Good point Jake. I also started corrections earlier than I would have liked looking back on it, but that's what learning is all about <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Okay guys, so to brake this down, you never, chase your puppy if you want to play then let him chase you!! Also no corrections should be given in OB until puppy is 6 months
old! With the exception of the come command! I have found that with my guys if for example I say sit and they proceed to stand I just withhold their treat, and bingo they sit. I
guess you would call this negative punishment: withholding a reward and it's the best way to train puppies. All very positive and this method eliminates the escape-avoidance response totally, since this method gives the pup the option not to obey the command and to self correct to receive their reward. I'm also not doing any form of structured OB until 6 months of age.

So, Jake, Any recommendations for me on how to help eliviate this crazy two hour behaviour? I am taking him out to run around in the yard for about 15 minutes before we go in to relax but that hasn't worked so far. However, last night I took him out to run around before he ate his dinner instead of after and he did much better. Still pulled some jumping and a little mouthing but much improved from the nights before.

Any other tips are very welcome.

Peggy

Well, you need to ask yourself what are you doing during the day to curb this behavior. First of all, you should always play with your dog before feeding because it is not good for them to run around and be crazy with a full stomach. If you just ate would you want to immediately go on a long run. Second, instead of just going out back and running around, go for a walk. Walks are more than exercise, they make the puppies mind work which goes a long way in tirering them out. This is also great for socialization. A puppy realistically needs anywhere from 1 1/2 - 2 hours of walks a day. This will make them much more manageable. Hope this helps.

 Quote:

....Walks are more than exercise, they make the puppies mind work which goes a long way in tirering them out. This is also great for socialization. A puppy realistically needs anywhere from 1 1/2 - 2 hours of walks a day........

Yes! Walking! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> At the heart of what Mike was saying, too, I think: Exercise, exercise, exercise......

The walk -- there is so much in the walk for a pet dog. The structured exercise, the reinforcement of pack leadership, the opportunity to do little chunks of training, and the elimination of frustrated energy. Great advice.

 Quote:

the elimination of frustrated energy. Great advice.

Don't forget the elimination of other undesired wastes too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But yes my basic point was to get that dogs energy out. Most days I'll grab my bike and take him 2 miles south of my house, let him run around in the grass for a bit, drink some water, then walk him alongside the bike for another 2 miles. After his walk he'll crash down next to me panting happily... his entire demeaner glows with happyness, dogs love to wear themselves out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But if I do this in the morning, it means he'll have all his energy back at night and bounce off the walls again.

Hi Peggy, don't forget that the pup is only 11 weeks old. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> mouthing is normal, for me that's one of the fun parts of a new puppy, my female was a land shark, enjoy your puppy, and just worry about house breaking and bonding with it,I'm assuming you've only had the dog for a few weeks, watch ed's ob dvd about 10 times and keep it fun, good luck, AL

 Quote:

Don't forget the elimination of other undesired wastes too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But yes my basic point was to get that dogs energy out. ....After his walk he'll crash down next to me panting happily... his entire demeaner glows with happyness, dogs love to wear themselves out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ....

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Yes! Compare that happy tired grin with the poor pets who develop compulsive and destructive behavior, constant barking, and much more ---- because they are filled with frustrated energy all the time.

And I loved Al's comment about his "land shark"! HAHAHAA!

Also watching the Leerburg OB DVD about ten times......GREAT advice!

Peggy,
These evening zoomies are pretty common in little puppies. One thing about little puppies is that they do require us to disrupt our schedules and react to the needs of the puppy. They sure are cute, but sooo much work.

The advice about exercise is A#1. Anytime you can recognize a trend and come up with a preemptive solution, you are way ahead of the game.

I have another tip for you to add to that. Mental exercise is often just as exhausting for little puppies as physical exercise is. Continue with the pre-dinner romp outside, and maybe reserve half of his dinner (or use all of his dinner) for puppy tricks (aka, training/obedience exercises).

With his ration of food closeby, tempt him with a piece and see what he does. My hunch is that you have a goal of a calm house dog, so you want to wait for him (or lure him) to 'sit' or 'down'. Don't give any cue, just hold the food over his head a bit and wait until he does it. Say "yes!" and offer the kibble again in a way that he has to get up to get it.

Repeat this and think of other things you can "train" every night with his dinner. Down, spins, a cute trick, stay, targeting your hand with his nose, etc.....get a puppy training book and follow the exercises in it.

Indeed, it will take you a lot longer to feed his dinner, but the payoff will be mindblowing. He will be both tired and smarter for it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (you can also just start his dinner this way, and after five minutes or so, set the rest down for him to finish it up)

T