Crazy Dog

Charlie has always had an overdrive gear. It starts with "the zoomies," and then quickly escalates into "pogo stick to lick mom's face," followed by "nip mom's clothing," and culminating in all-out play biting. With mom, of course.

At such times Charlie seems beyond listening, beyond caring about consequences. He lives to play and play hard! I expect it's about extreme excess energy and needing someplace for it to go.

We tried to train him as a puppy to "sit" and "down" at such times and then diverted his attention with treats and legal toys.

And to an extent that works with adult Charlie. But it requires patience, discipline, and a toy within reach. When the "down" finally does get through, you can't pet his head or expect to just walk away unscathed. You are a target. The only options are to scratch his chest and stomach until he calms or to throw a ball and make an escape when he goes after it.

As he's gotten older this has manifested less. And since he started playing with Gabby, we've experienced hardly any episodes. But when she's not around for a few days... look out! Trouble on the hoof!!