8:30pm CRAZY Puppy!

[Kacie Hollander]

The past 3 nights in a row, right around 8:30pm, our sweet Macy goes nuts!  It's like she's a different dog.  Jumping, biting really hard, trying to get on the couches, clawing at the outlets.  The first night we thought it was pent up energy, so the next day we ran and ran and ran with her outside all day (with a naps in between).  But it happened again!  So I read some other discussions on DK and it seemed like maybe over-stimulation?  My in-laws said to put her to bed when she gets like that - that it means she's tired, but I've been told not to put her in her crate while she's hyper so I'm not sure what to do when she gets in this state.  Advice??

[Kacie Hollander]

Macy is biting. Enough to break the skin...

[Paula, Neil, and Milo]

Hi again Kacie - Our Milo did the same thing, enough for us to seek out professional help through trainers who had many, many words of advice, none of which worked. I had 5-6 punctures on my legs on any given day. Remember, this is a phase and it will get better.

What worked for us is to keep his leash attached to him, even indoors (you can stop this as Macy matures). When he would bite or jump at my ankles, I would say "no" or "ouch" in a surprised voice, and then attach the leash to an immobile object, the stair banister, a chair outside, or even a signpost (when trying to walk her). Turn your back and walk away for at least a minute, essentially a "time out". When you return to her she should be calmed down and will eventually understand the behavior is unacceptable. Don't let her get away with it, ever. biting = timeout. This worked and was a LIFESAVER!!!

[Darcy & Millie]

Millie is also a growler when she's playing.  If she's playing, she's growling :) 

[Paula, Neil, and Milo]

Hi Kacie - My reply might be a little late but.....Our Milo (5 months) gets this way on occassion, definately when overstimulated or overtired. We take this as a sign it's bedtime. ****If you put a Kong in the kennel with a cookie in the hole, Macy won't see it as punishment. Milo races to his kennel when he sees I have a Kong in my hand. :) If it's too early for bed, a quick nap in the crate usually stops the craziness.

[Amy Galvin]

Clara is 16wks and I just figured out last week that her biting is being overstimulated or overtired. I am getting better at dodging her bites when trying to place her in time out. I think shes starting to understand that it is not acceptable. I am hopeful the behavior will pass. This forum has been very helpful.b

[Kacie Hollander]

UPDATE - My husband and I went and bought two baby gates (who knows, we may need them later in life ;)).  We set them up in a little hallway right off the kitchen where Macy spends most of her time.  We've been using it when her biting get out of control and it's been a life saver!  She's never in there more than 2 minutes and she totally calms down.  This way her crate continues to be a happy place.  Hopefully as the weeks go by, we'll have to put her in "time out" less and less.  Thanks for all the awesome advice!!