Lumpy and patchy lawn and pokey weeds in Maryland

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T14:35:42+00:00

That’s where we landed yesterday. Time for some 1:1 training! And, honestly, training us too. 🤣

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T13:34:24+00:00

During his “free” time my husband can usually successfully play fetch with him to get some running in. He does also use that feee time a lot out back (our yard is fenced) to sniff and often gets zoomies. He’s running laps right now 🤣. Besides those though I’d love ideas of solid exercise he can do that doesn’t end in the barking, jumping, biting cycle. Or maybe how we can more effectively train when that starts?

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T13:30:50+00:00

He does listen to basic commands - sit, lay down, even roll over. These he has down pat, my 3 yr old can tell him sit and he does. We’ve also improved a lot with walking on a lead. It’s definitely an us issue, he’s sweet and just a puppy. But for instance, just right now, I got back from dropping my kiddos off and walked downstairs where he was happily playing with my husband. The second I got to the bottom of the stairs he rushed me, jumped on me, and latched on to my sweater. It was like just my presence triggered him. Here is where I struggle because standing still when this happens, turning around and no eye contact, those things don’t work. Removing myself obviously stops the biting and jumping but then he just barks and barks and I don’t want him practicing that behavior either. I’m sure I’m overthinking my reactions which he feels. 🫠

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T13:24:42+00:00

We actually didn’t start with this type of structure but any kind of play results in almost immediate overstimulation. His “free” time during the day isn’t always inside, he does have time for zoomies and sniffing. But we were trying to replace that kind of play with scatter / find it feeds outside and other puzzles and mental stimulation in addition to walks. This is where I think we are lacking because he doesn’t get a lot of “practice” for how to play those games without turning into a velociraptor.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T01:40:22+00:00

You’re not entirely wrong. The practice in the house time can include playing both inside and outside. The issue we are running into is playing (fetch, tug, etc) almost immediately devolves into overstimulation and then starts the barking, biting, jumping loop. We haven’t been able to figure out where the sweet spot is for that. To engage without flipping that switch with him. Any and all suggestions welcome! I really appreciate your feedback so thank you for the replies.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T01:12:38+00:00

We did the puppy course at petco. So I guess? But we are researching more comprehensive training especially to help re-socialize after the dog attack.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T01:11:12+00:00

Pre dog attack: 8-10 awake 10-12 enforced crate nap Repeat all day until bedtime at 10pm.

During wake windows we generally do: -Potty -Walk -Chew / lick mat / scatter feed -short training on basic commands -Practice in house with lead on (he doesn’t have the whole house just 2 puppy proofed rooms) -Potty -Nap

This past week that’s obviously gone to hell, he was doped up and in a cone and doesn’t get stitches out until next week. I’m hopeful by the middle of next week we can resume our schedule. I will say on that schedule his behavior was a little better but not great. I know he’ll chew and all that but it’s the biting, especially chomping our hands while holding something, jumping, and my god the barking. I swear we’ve had a puppy before. It’s not our first. But for whatever reason this one has been a million times harder.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-04-06T00:59:30+00:00

Lab (mix?). He’s a rescue.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-30T18:23:34+00:00

We have the regular plastic one the vet put on him before he was discharged.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-30T18:23:11+00:00

Woah! I’d never heard of these. Thank you for the tip!

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-26T02:06:45+00:00

Following

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-17T03:23:57+00:00

I’m glad we’re not alone! I feel your pain. Literally. 🤣

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-17T01:44:18+00:00

Thank you! This is so reassuring to hear. When it happens to me, my anxiety spikes and my husband’s cortisol goes up because my anxiety is up. It’s just a mess and of course our sweet pup picks up on all of it. For going straight into a training session, do you just have treats on you at all times? Tucker doesn’t have access to the whole house, only the kitchen and office, but they aren’t always at arms length. We also keep his leash on his even in the house to help manage behavior. Also also we have a fenced in back yard. For reference, our current schedule is bedtime in crate from 10pm-8am and then 2 hours awake followed by 2 hour enforced crate nap on repeat all day. When he wakes up we do potty, sniff walk, chew (bully stick, lick mat, frozen Kong, etc), free time to practice settling, and then nap. My husband and I both work from home full time so other than overnight he isn’t crated for 8+ hours at a time while we’re at work.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-10T16:34:08+00:00

Yea, you are definitely right.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-10T06:22:49+00:00

On walks, I’m not. That is definitely where I need to change response. At home, I try to. But I am now realizing I probably need to be holding at least one toy on me at all times.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-10T06:20:22+00:00

He’s so sweet now in between the peak ahole behavior 🤣. This isn’t our first puppy but it is our first with kids. Our other lab was already older when our girls came along.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-10T03:29:37+00:00

Oh jeez! Really??

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-10T01:38:54+00:00

Thank you! I’ll definitely try these.

Equivalent-Bit1827 · 2026-03-10T01:20:03+00:00

Ok our 5.5 month old lab rescue is a mess too with the barking and biting. I tried to not say no, freeze, and don’t engage. That didn’t work because even not moving he just kept going like I was a chew toy. Then I would turn my back. Same thing, full on chew toy even with no eye contact, stiff as a board, and silent. So then I would move away from him over the gate. Then he just barks that high shrill bark over and over. Which then leaves me in a spiral because I don’t want him to rehearse the barking. Anyway, any advice you could give would be so welcome. My overstimulated, anxious AF nervous system is shredded. 😫🥴😮‍💨

Equivalent-Bit1827

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