Dog gets way too excited during playing

    • Puppy

    Dog gets way too excited during playing

    I know dogs get excited to play but this is on its own level.

    When i play with him like just running around no problems but the toy seems to trigger something.  It used to only happen outside now it's inside.

    Basically what happens the minute i pick up a toy or accidentally pick up a stick outside he goes from calm dog to this neurotic 55lb energy.  He doesn't just jump he bites me by accident a lot and body slams me.  He will basically beat me with the toy/stick and if i try to grab it to throw he tugs hard or accident bites me.  He will drop it in my lap and i think oh good he wants me to throw it, no when I go to grab it he lunges for it and bites me again.  He starts whining constantly and I have never seen this in all the dogs i have rescued and fostered.  He is literally shaking with either excitement or anxiety i haven't figured it out.  And if he loses the stick he is practically beating me with or the toy, he basically has a melt down.  Full out whining and barking, checking me and usually jumping, body slamming, and accidentally biting me.  Looking in his surroundings and even if the toy is right in front of him something in him just switches and he cant stop.  It progressively gets worse when i'm around him if he is in that state of mind, no amount of authority in me can do it without getting hurt.  It will stop when i leave, either go to another room or make him come inside if where outdoors.  It's usually immediately or a minute or so.  He does not do this when playing with toys with the other dogs, only just me. 

    He doesn't mean to bite and hurt me and is truly excited to play and love on me.  I can't figure it out, I think this has gotten worse.  Out of all my dogs he does get the most attention because normally he's a sweet mellow dog, when i watch movies i love to cuddle with him because he is just like putty in my hands.

    HELP??

    • Gold Top Dog

    I suggest you start rewarding your dog for calm behavior.  Clicker training is great for this type of training as you can instantly reward when you observe calm behavior.  You might want to teach a positive interrupter.  I've linked you to a few videos by a great trainer, Emily  Larlham.  Her website is full of free, helpful videos.

    www.youtube.com/watch

    www.youtube.com/watch

    As you're working toward your goal, I'd stop playing with the toys or anything else that gets him too excited.  Instead, spend time training basic obedience, even if he's perfected everything.  Training helps exercise a dog's mind.   Teaching tricks and using puzzle toys are also good methods to let a dog burn energy without becoming overly excited.  Think about how tired you get when you've been working on a project that required a lot of mental concentration.  It's easily as tiring as physical exercise.  For this dog, you may want to burn off the physical energy with jogging or biking with you.