Quote: Alyssa Myracle

As a note:
Bristling fur doesn't always equal aggression.

Especially at five months old, it could easily be excitement or a bit of insecurity, couldn't it? (I don't mean insecurity in a bad way - just a young pup learning kind of way).

I think WE tend to automatically think hackles mean anger or agression, but our neighbor's lab's hackles are up almost the entire time he is chasing a ball - he is just so freakin' happy!

I completely agree that the majority of the times Toby does this, it at least starts out because he wants to play. As husband and daughter get scared and yell, it then turns into something a bit more. I think if he were truly aggressive, they would have been torn to shreds. My husband has tried to walk away a few times, but Toby will follow him, jumping and biting. I guess he just has to walk through that and get in the house. Again, he usually has a leash on unless he's going potty, so he can usually step on the leash. When he was younger, he used to wrap his paws around his leg and latch onto his pants with his teeth when he tried to walk away. He doesn't do that as often anymore. There were a few times when hubby pushed him away and swatted his butt when he did this when he was younger, but that also would get him more fired up, so it wasn't done often.

Our only true "safe spot" right now is my backyard. Any suggestions on exhausting exercises and how to hold is attention for them (that's the biggie) would be great.

 Quote: kelly schultz

... Our only true "safe spot" right now is my backyard. Any suggestions on exhausting exercises and how to hold is attention for them (that's the biggie) would be great.

How is this going?
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=272862&Searchpage=1&Main=25937&Words=+Kelly++Schultz&topic=0&Search=true#Post272862

I understand that he is not having any walks at all because of reactivity, and that's something that I really believe needs to be worked on asap. I refer back to that again because the desensitizing to strangers on walks is so similar to the desensitizing to distractions in the yard when you are teaching him to retrieve (fetch). It starts at home, with managed distractions introduced gradually, and then in semi-public, where again you can control the distractions (and the triggers).

There is good distraction-proofing embedded in this post (tired dog, basic ob work, child present) along with the increased number of short-but-sweet training sessions.

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

.... at 7 months; I'd say more brain work and aerobics are necessary to rid him of his excess energy.

Could you possibly tweak the times a bit to include a longer and more strenuous workout?

As an example; the walk at 9AM is there anywhere you can walk, a park or baseball field etc where he can be on a long line (will save your arm and allow him more motion) ? 20 feet of line will let him get ahead and then you can call and turn the other way and run so he has the opportunity for a few sprints and when he gets to you pull out a tug and let him have at it. If you are winded you are heading in the right direction. I would also extend this type of play to 35 minutes and then switch into a 10 minute training session, nothing fancy just practice the basics he already knows.

The 12:30 time sounds good I'd probably play fetch for 15 minutes, find it for 10 and then at least 5 minutes practicing his basic obedience.

I imagine he is excited by your daughter's return so if possible I'd try getting him out playing something strenous or the treadmill for 15 minutes before you get her. That way you can play a little when she gets home but work with both of them on his basic obedience. Her being there will increase the difficulty for him which is what you want. Tired brain and body makes for calmer dog who is easier to train.

The time outside after dinner; again I would give him a few minutes of strenuous activity and then incorporate your husband into the training.

I haven't offered any training solutions to your issues because I think you and the pup need a break. Following this schedule and a strict management routine will hopefully give you a breather and a chance to think clearly about what you want and can realistically expect from a puppy. ....

Some concerted effort now is going to pay off. I'd try to think of the next weeks as kind of starting over with structuring his life, releasing his pent-up energy, and working properly on the reactivity that ended his structured walks.

 Quote: kelly schultz

My husband has tried to walk away a few times, but Toby will follow him, jumping and biting. I guess he just has to walk through that and get in the house. Again, he usually has a leash on unless he's going potty, so he can usually step on the leash.

Are you home when your hubby comes home? Have him call you on his cell so that you can go outside and meet him, with the pup on the long line, and you holding on firmly with the pup close to you.
Alternatively, tell your husband to grab the long line and walk to the house with the pup held closely to him. Don't give the pup the opprtunity to jump and bite. Tell your husband not to talk to the pup while he's doing this. Make him (your husband) practice this a few times with you observing. (ie come into the gate, grab the line, walk with the pup to your door, no talking to the pup)

 Quote:

There were a few times when hubby pushed him away and swatted his butt when he did this when he was younger, but that also would get him more fired up, so it wasn't done often.

I think you know now that this is a huge invitation for the pup to play very roughly, since that's what he thinks your husband is doing by swatting and pushing him away.

 Quote:

Our only true "safe spot" right now is my backyard. Any suggestions on exhausting exercises and how to hold is attention for them (that's the biggie) would be great.

You mentioned that he loves to chase an oversized ball. Play with that for now, to get him good and worn out. Have a treat bag with you to intersperse the play with some quick obedience sessions.
Again, even in your back yard, keep the long line on him so that if he gets out of control(biting and jumping), you can calmly grab the line and step on it or hold the pup very close to you. No words necessary. Once he calms down, give him a command ( a fun one like touch), mark and reward. After a good play session, put him in his crate and let him chill out there with a stuffed kong or other chew treat. (no rawhide)

The calmer and more in control you are (and your husband), the calmer the pup will be.