Working Toward Appropriate Play-Jake Help

[jenn D]

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Here is my current Jake update. I’m hoping some of you can shed some light and offer some suggestions. While I’ve done my fair share of training I believe you can always learn new things and there is more than one way to solve a problem. So here goes.

First, Jake is adjusting to our family routine well. He no longer hoards water or food. My husband is in love with him which is fun to watch because he’s never had “his own dog” and he is learning to bond and train etc. As he gets comfortable with us, we see both the good and the not so good. Jake is high energy. Really high energy.  I don’t know if that’s the 75% poodle in him, the fact that he is still only 10 months, genetics or what. It doesn’t really matter, that’s what he is. We play a lot of ball around the house and squeaky toy fetch.  My husband has started taking him on daily walks just the two of them. We try to also do a family walk at another point in the day as well where the kids come along and we walk Brisby too. But my husband does a pretty brisk walk with Mr. Jake.  The second walk is kind of a long meander.

Jake loves to play. He likes to snatch something of ours and run away with it. He wants us to chase him. I get this, I am working on this. It seems he does it mostly when he needs more attention or needs an energy release.

 The problem that is the hardest for me to get a handle on is his play style with other dogs. He is VERY over the top. Jumping up on them, barking, springing lunging. He does it to Brisby who typically takes it and then when he gets tired, Brisby hops on the couch and Jake leaves him alone. But if Brisby gets down, there is Jake again. Ready to pounce and play, jumping on him. I’m lucky Brisby is so mellow he just either decides to play or gets back on the couch. But Jake does this with every dog he meets.

Maybe its because he was taken from his litter at 5 weeks. He probably doesn’t know appropriate dog play manners. It could also be exacerbated by all that time in his crate without anyone. Id really like help solving this problem.  I obviously don’t want him to be a dog playing bully but also I worry he could get hurt if an aggressive dog takes his exuberance as a threat.  Plus, I think he even stresses himself out with his intensity in play, poor guy!

Where do I start with this? He does well in his obedience classes paying attention to me or my husband. Its when its “playtime” he goes into crazy play dog!

Thanks for any help. Finally, here are some shots of Mr. Jake as of late. He loved the snow when we went for a mountain walk. Then he saw a black lab and was like “OMG I have to PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

No advice here but wanted to thank you for the update and photos. It's so great to see Jake out enjoying life. :)

[Adina P]

It very well could be age and inexperience along with his leaving littermates at 5 weeks.  He doesn't sound too abnormal, but I think the most important thing is if you/your hubby can STOP him with obedience commands if/when he gets to wound up.  If you can stop him/recall him and have him down-stay to cool off...not sure you can get better than that!