[ypark87]

I have a 6 month old yellow lab/husky mix puppy. Since I run a lot, I will take my puppy on runs. Randomly and out of nowhere she will randomly start going crazy, running around on her leash, biting my legs, barking and snarling and going crazy. If I lengthen the leash she will just run back and forth in a line or in circles and look at me and bark and then keep running around like crazy. This happens almost every single time I take her on a run, or sometimes when I am talking her on a walk. I don't understand this behavior, and it's often times really embarrassing because it looks like my puppy is attacking me or that I am abusing her!!!!! Today some random stranger yelled at me that "the owner needs training" and basically told me that I was abusing my dog.

What is she doing and how can I stop it??? I feel like it's not matter of exercise. I run 2.5 miles every other day and take her on 2-3 walks on top of that. Usually she gets this crazy when I am running with her. Is she just getting mad at me because she's getting tired? But she does it sometimes when we are just walking. I don't understand.

HELP!!!!

[lange]

A while back I did a search on how far I could walk my puppy. The consensus seemed to be 5 minutes for every month they are. At 6 months I don't think a big breed puppy should even be running yet since they still need time to develop.

Hopefully someone else with big breed experience can pitch in on the proper age for running, and even walking distance as I'm curious to hear opinions! Otherwise you can ask your vet when & how long you can walk/run your pup.

BTW.. my opinion on the rowdy behavior would be your pup is either tired or hungry/thirsty when he acts up. Especially if this is the ONLY time she acts like this.

[ypark87]

Thanks for the advice! The only problem with not walking her that much is that if I don't walk her enough or give her enough exercise she starts going crazy in the house (sprinting at full speed in circles through all the rooms over and over again, just like she does outside, but inside) and won't sleep through the night. She can run around and play for hours off-leash and I don't think I should stop her from doing all those things, because otherwise she gets really hyper inside!!

Also, sometimes she'll be fine, then she'll get petted by someone really enthusiastically or meet a random dog on the street and then she'll go beserk (I'm assuming from excitement??). It's not every person or every dog, but seems like just that one random person/dog. I guess it depends on what her mood is at the time, if she's mellow or already in a pretty excitable mood. I'm just not sure how to curb it.

[OregonGirl]

Well first of all don't listen to negative comments from people on the street. Everyone thinks they are high and mighty and should know how to tell other people how to live. =/ How rude.

Try taking your dog for shorter walks and as soon as he starts acting up just stand there and let him thrash about on the leash and then reward him the exact moment that he calms down. Its like ignoring your child when they throw a temper tantrum. Eventually he will learn that good things only happen when he is calm and obeying you.

Have you started teaching him the sit/stay command yet?

[DoggieVogue]

My lab used to act like this as a puppy sometimes too! She's 9 years old now and has calmed down a ton, but still is crazy sometimes, I think it's in their DNA But as for correcting the behavior we just taught her proper walking on the leash. If she started pulling or jumping around we would stop walking and make her sit down and be calm and submissive before we would start back up again. Sooner or later she realized that she didn't get to walk when she was acting crazy. Another thing you could try is a gentle leader. We've been using one for 8 years and as soon as the we put it on my lab she calms down and behaves. Many think it's a muzzle but it is not at all! it just a little harness thing that goes around the dog's nose and you attach their leash under the nose for more control of their head (since labs are so large/strong). It still allows the dog enough room to pant, let their tongue hang out, drink water, eat a treat etc.. So you might want to try it out! They are super cheap and available at any pet store generally. Let me know if that helps!

[Monkey Dog]

My 6 month old German Shepherd has the same issue. I am certain it is not due to tiredness nor thirst or hunger. The dog will do it somewhat randomly when on walks or even when I am about to bring him outside just to do his business. It has happened since he was very small but the aggression is worsening. This is his ONLY bad behaviour, he is quite wonderful and socially adjusted. I treat him as a son and so does my husband whom trained GSDs professionally.
I can't help but feel the dog is in some sort of panic or discomfort when he goes mad on the leash, jumping and biting (not hard enough to break the skin). I've taken to speaking calmly to him til he calms himself. I am hoping that will eventually work to deter him initially.
My dog is fed the best foods and treats and we treat him w excessive attention I would say. My husband and I are both well experienced w dogs and are mature adults, (not young at all, lol!). Any other input on this issue would be greatly appreciated. I've read the responses to the 1st poster and while they are sound advice, none of them suit my dog's behaviour.
I dare say my dog is near perfect apart from this 1 mystery behaviour. It's quite troubling as I said, I think he is in some class of discomfort and perhaps trying to relay that to me or simply acting out on it. He used to only act this way when on walks and had to poop (he wont poop anywhere but home so was in a quandary). Now it is completely random (seemingly).