Just Too Rough

[Karen Moerman]

We have a 6 month old labradoodle, in the house she's wonderful, well behaved, potty trained, great company.  When we go outside to play she plays too rough.  She jumps on us, and trys to nip at our hands and arms.  I want to be able to walk in the yard with her and play but she makes it very hard.  She does sit when told to and usually comes when she's called.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Join puppy madness and look for suggestions--or search other discussions--I know I have seen this before.  My first thought would be to keep a leash on her and step on it when she jumps--be as assertive as you can so she knows you are still in charge when you are in the yard. Keep a toy handy to put in her mouth if she is nipping and try to get her to carry it. Just some thoughts, but there are better ones, I am sure.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yeah, that's no fun.  Many of us have been where you are now.  Have you taken your dog to Obedience Training?   Not puppy class but a real dog training class.  It certainly will  help you and your dog in this situation. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I looked up some trainers in your area. 

Looks like you  may have some really good classes in your area

http://www.k9specialist.com/

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I also liked this page a lot.  Call this breeder and ask where she competes and trains in Obedience Trails.  This is who I would call for information

http://www.kolendakennels.com/

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My neighbors have a GSD from Kolenda. The most magnificent, friendliest, calmest, even-tempered Shepherd you've ever seen, and he was that way from the time I met him at 4 months of age. Even JD likes him, lol.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Well there you go.  Can't get much better than  that recommendation.

I think we have this one settled!  LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It sounds like she needs more exercise, a chance to really run and let off some steam.. Does she get leash walked on a daily basis? Is there room in your yard for her to really run full-out? If not, do you take her to a safe place where she can run on a regular basis?

When you say you want to play with her, what kind of playing are you trying to do? If you throw a ball for her, does she chase it?

It's important that you never play games with her in which you hold something up above her and encourage her to jump up and grab it. That teaches them the behaviors you are describing of jumping up and nipping. No grabbing anything from your hand, ever. Also, no "wrestling" games, and you do not ever try to pull a ball or toy out of her mouth. She releases it or you don't play, period. If her teeth ever touch your skin or clothing, you stop all interactions with her and turn away. Same thing if she places her front paws on you when you are standing, ever.  

I agree with Joanne's suggestion of basic obedience training.  

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I also agree, Karen-EXERCISE!!

I have an active dog. He is run several times a day.  We do not play tug-of-war in our home.  No wrestling, or running games with humans.  Just good old fashioned fetch. 

Last night I was running with the ball and Spud jumped on me.  I immediately stopped this fashion of play. I am not his puppy pal.  He is almost four.  So, it happens. We humans just have to know how to deal with this situation when the dog starts thinking we are a playmate. Training shows you how.

Dogs play different with dogs. They bite tails, ears, wrestle, and sadly many young dogs think we humans want to play in this style  :(      We just have to build a human-dog relationship not a dog-dog relationship with play.

Fetch and maybe a dog playmate might wear him down a bit.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I'm laughing here a bit because I just walked away from this post to get out some winter coats.  All these down feathers were floating around.....

Well it was from a few years ago when Spud was a rambunctious teenager.  He would jump up and bite the back of my cloths.

It seems like forever ago he was such a pain. Not anymore. I would be shocked if this happened today.

They do mature and get it eventually--of course we have to learn to work with them. Poodle breeds are very JUMPY. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Lyric and her son Rio are like this and the feed on each other's energy. I have to be really tough on them to avoid getting knocked over as if I am one of the pack!