He just lost it!

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

So, Midas and I were just playing outside in the snow, and we were having a great time. We were playing for about 20 minutes when all of a sudden he went absolutely bonkers! He was running around like a mad man (he usually does) but then he started jumping up and at me and snapping and biting my arms, he just lost it! And I kept saying no no hey! And he wouldn't stop to the point that I had to grab his collar and pinch his lip with his own tooth because I honestly was a little scared that he would get my face. He didn't cry or anything but I honestly couldn't get him to stop and even when I let go he came at me again and we came right inside. He will be 3 in April and he was very nippy as a puppy but has stopped with me. My husband is guilty of wrestling and playing rough with him which I hate, but Midas never gets rough with me, because from a puppy if he nipped me I would get up and walk away. But tonight he absolutely lost it and im wondering if it's because I havent been walking him much because of the snow we have had, I walked him a few times and fell twice and hurt my knee. I want to blame it on his being cooped up and he just lost it but idk! We came in i dried his feet and I did tell him bad boy! Now I left him in my room for a few minutes, I hope he gets that he was bad, I don't know if he did. Should I ignore him for most of the night now? What do u think? Please don't judge about how I had to grab him because I am telling u he was jumpin up on me like an attack german Shepard and I couldn't get away, I am 5'1 he is literally my size when he jumps up, he wasn't growling I think he was playing but what the heck!?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

How old is he?
Never mind I just read that he is 3. Has it ever happened before?
Sounds like he just got wild and crazy for a bit.

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

yes, he will be three soon.. it has happened maybe once before with my husband also playing in the snow.. i know he really loves the snow and i think he just looses it...but i am scared like what if he ever tried that to my kid if i ever have one! like they would not be able to have dodged and weaved like i did trying to get away :/

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

It sounds like you got a lot of sound advice from those with more experience than I have with this breed. One thing is don't be scared - dogs can sense that. Sounds like he just got a case of the winter wild crazies. Somedays I feel like that. ;)

I know that my pup does get more wound up after playing outside. It is the opposite effect that we want. ;)

[Wynnie & Jim]

Your doodle had an adrenaline rush from an overly long and possibly exciting play time in the snow. Shorter play time in the snow, no horse play with your husband, nice calm walks, and a agility class for fun once a week should keep Midas from becoming overly high on adrenaline.

My 15 month old goldendoodle become hyper playing ball in the yard and her obedience training slips. Typically, I see this coming and switch to a calmer form of play.

Your doodle sounds like fun and adrenaline rushes are common not only in doodle but also their human friends.

Hope that this helps.

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

Thank u! It makes me feel better that U don't think it was a form of aggression! Yes, I need to stop my husband from the rough housing! Thank you for Ur reply it did help! :)

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Doggy Dan the trainer uses a method called "calm freeze". If you just grab him by his collar, (put your fingers up under the collar from the bottom, palm facing out) kneel down to his level and do not look him in the eye. You have to be very calm. It's like transferring the calm from your body into theirs. It has worked well for me in the past but I know my girls are not as large as Midas. Maybe you could practice it in the house when he gets a little rough and then outside he will used to that and respond better. 

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

Ok! I will try that! I hope it doesn't happen again but if it does I will try that method for sure! Thank U for your reply! :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think he got overly excited and "stopped thinking".  I would keep a leash handy and the minute you sense that he's going into that uncontrolled state of mind I'd snap the leash on him and either put him into a sit until he calms or take him right into the house...fun over.  I also like the "Doggy Dan calm freeze", but it can be a little difficult with a large powerful dog without a leash.  However you decide to handle it, be sure to stay calm.  Excitement on your part will fuel him.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My old dog, still does this from time to time in the yard.   Way over excited.  I can actually see when it is coming on. No, he is not biting me, he is just crazy with play.  I immediately stop the behavior. Stop all play, put a leash on, and walk into the house.  

Just way over excited.  Redirect, Stay calm but firm, and move on.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

A Revelation!!

This just came to me while running the sweeper. I thought of you and this incidence because I really believe this is over excited- play. Inappropriate, but play.

WE ALWAYS have a toy around for that mouth.  These are retriever dogs and for some reason that oral gratification really answers a lot of our problems with our dogs.  There is a calming nature in having a toy in the mouth. 

When this happens again, of course, dont accept the behavior but a solution to prevent this is always have something to give that dog for his mouth. 

We have one for going to the basement, greeting visitors, and playing outside, sweepers. all those exciting times!   For some reason, I think you were playing with a toy, he lost track, and..... whatever

Anyway, this WORKS

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

thank you Joanne! I will try this... I never knew why when I come in or any guest comes in Midas runs to grab something, anything to bring to them and then he runs around them with it in his mouth, may it be a shoe, remote, my phone.. lol so its the retriever in him that wants to have something in his mouth? do u think that's why he was extremely mouthy as a puppy? I had poodles before and a Lhasa apso and never had a puppy so mouthy! hmm.. so I should have a specific toy for him to greet people with? so he doesn't steal my shoe or something? he doesn't chew them he just hears the door open, gets frantic to find something to bring and then runs up to them and I always tell my guest to accept the gift lol sometimes he parades around before he will give it up lol they are so funny, I just got worried that he got like vicious for a minute, but I guess he just got too crazy and lost his train of thought.

[Marianne Kay]

My doodle Pierre who will be 5 this year, also grabs something in his mouth, when someone he knows is coming to the house. It could be my slipper. He never chews it. Its his form of happiness, when he greets someone he knows and likes. He does a "woooohooowooo" when its someone he knows.

Doodles can be mouthy as pups and Pierre was, too. I would take him to the pet store and have him pick out some favorite things to chew on. They gradually outgrow it. 

The wild running around in the yard, Pierre also does, if I also go out with him. The ears go flying in the wind, and he is so happy, I have come out of the house with him. Maybe bring a ball to throw for Midas the next time you go out. They need exercise and if you have not been able to walk him due to the weather, no doubt he misses that routine.