i just got a new puppy.. she's a pug.. 9 weeks old.. and when i get home and let her out of her crate she just runs around my feet in circles constantly.. no matter where i go.. and she does lil zig zags through them also.. when i try to pick her up she just wants to get back down so i put her on her pad to see if she has to use the bathroom but she doesnt.. and so i lead her to her dishes and she's not hungry nor thirsty.. what is it? i have a yorkie and he never did this and i've had him since he was 6 weeks..

Do you think she was crated excessively before you got her?
When I adopted my dog from the shelter she circled ALL the time...in the house, on her leash, on the bed. We figured she'd gotten the habit from being teathered/confined too much in her previous home - it seemed to be an anxiety related behaviour.
Eventually she grew more confident in our home and got over it.

At 9 weeks of age, I don't think she could have developed a compulsive circling problem from being crated too much. More likely she gets excited and this is how she behaves. She's a puppy with an abundance of energy.

I'd start her in puppy classes as soon as she's old enough. And start teaching her alternate behaviors. If she wants to eat, she has to sit and wait. She has to sit before you give her attention. She has to wait at the door before you take her out. Once she knows what sit means, when she starts playing NASCAR doggie at your feet, make her sit and wait for a few seconds.

Make sure she gets enough exercise. Daily walks, play time with toys, play time with other dogs. A tired puppy is a good puppy.

That's great advice vetgroomer! The thing that really settled our dog down was having to sit and wait (we actually used the command 'wait') during her agility classes. Once she caught on to this, she was a whole new dog.

The solution to your problem is simple. More exercise. Take your dog for long walks in the morning and in the evening. Obsessive behavior comes from built up energy.

When I talk about walking your dog, I mean effectively walking your dog. Put a dog pack pack on with some weight (appopriate for a pug) and walk at a decent pace without dragging the dog. It is vital that you exercise your dog as much as possible. The spinning and running through your legs in simply energy.

Also, don't pick up your dog. You are encouraging the bahavior. I know it's hard but don't do it. Your dog is learning that this behavior is acceptable and good because he gets a positive association (your attention) when he does it. Ignore hom for as long as it takes to get him calm. Then reward that calm behavior with a positive reward. Your dog is constantly trying to learn what get him positive attention (being pet or held) so if he is doing something you don't like, ignore him and do not give him what he wants.

I recently trained a chiuawa this same way. Once the owner stopping picking up the and rewarding the poor behavior, it stopped. Seems simple but most dog training is. And dogs learn quickly how to get what they want. My 1 year old boxer knows that sitting or laying down will get her what she wants. She will run up to people and simply sit.

So in this particular case, ignore the unwanted behavior and reward the calm behavior.

Chad Thompson
Dog Behavior Modification
http://virtualdogtrainer.com/the-dog-whisperer-and-virtual-dog-trainer/