My puppy, Toby, is almost 6 months old. He's a Goldendoodle. His behaviour in the past week is bordering on obnoxious. He wants to play, but only on his terms. He gets into the play stance, and barks repeatedly, jumps around, jumps at us, and then takes off running. We need this to stop! He has yet to be neutered, so maybe this will help. At any rate, I would like advance on calming him down when he gets like this!

Welcome to the world of owning a half poodle. Poodles (big or small) are VERY hyper breeds.

Is he enrolled in any training classes? Those would help a lot to help get his craziness under control (by teaching you how to react to his behavior. You are probably sending off LETS PLAY signals without even knowing it!) So when he see's your body language, he's thinking "Oh he/she is saying LETS PLAY, so I will jump around until he/she plays with me".

Also, how much exercise is he getting during the day? A dog his size and energy levels should go on daily brisk walks (at least 30 mins to an hour of a brisk walk, less if you are running) Also you could enroll him in a dog park, send him to doggy day care during the day where he can play with other dogs while your at work, etc.

Plus, he is only 6 months old, so he is VERY much still a puppy! Neutering might help some, but not that much.

Also, pick up some toys that he has to work at. Mental stimulation can tire out a dog quick. Toys where he has to figure out how to get the food out of are best. Kongs are easy. Pick up 3 or 4 of them and stuff them full of goodies then pop them in the freezer. When he starts to get crazy, give him one.

Note though...You'll want him to be performing a behavior YOU want him to before giving him the kong. If he's going crazy, make him sit or lay down and then give him his noms!

A few kong fillings are peanut butter (I prefer the low fat kind), canned pumpkin, plain yogurt, canned food. Make up your own mixes. Mix in some kibble as well so it makes it harder to lick off all the good stuff. I like to do a pumpkin/peanut butter combo. Use the PB to plug the small hole and fill it with pumpkin (the PB helps to keep the pumpkin from leaking out of the little hole) then more PB at the big hole. Pop in the freezer and the next day its a yummy treat. Being frozen makes it harder to get out and they just lick lick lick til it thaws!

Thanks for the response. We have a fenced yard, and he runs and plays a lot through the day He also gets 2 25-30 minute walks a day. He has an ICube, and a Kong, which we fill and freeze. He just seems to get wound up and like a little kid that just can't help himself. I know this will pass, but hopefully sooner than later.