Playfull Puppy or Stressful Puppy???

[Petros]

We go for walks and there is nobody around but me. so he runs around and eventually comes back and circles around me barking, I growl back at him and try to catch him. otherwise he will be on my ankles with his teeth. But he eventually gives up or gets destracted by something around. He is 5 months old. Is it because he is stressful of all the things around and me giving him freedom? or he wants to play?

Have any of you experienced this?
I do understand many of you have more than one setter which may be helpfull but I have only one.

A week ago I was more stricked with him. demanding all the comands that I give him, not giving one slip up. putting him on a leash before he does something wrong. if he sits on a chair, take it over and sit on it. and all other things. and he seemed to be calm for that whole week. but know again he barks has started to dig the garden and when I am not there he gets away with it.

BTW. what sort of games do you guys play with the dogs. I do play fetch but he doesnt fetch, If i through a stick he will run after it but carry it around with him or lay down and chew it...
any other suggestions?

[Sue and Cash]

Remind me again how old of a puppy we are talking about here? Our last pup was a tiger with those teeth. He ran through the house just looking for anything to clamp down on and often it was us and our clothing was torn on the legs because of his strong prey drive to chase anything that moved. It ended slowly after about 7 months when the teething ended. Cash doesn't do that thus far and he is 16 weeks old now. Cash has razor sharp pins right now and does occassionally get me good in play. I just stuff a toy in his mouth instead and shout firmly NO BITE or pretend to cry out. I am lucky I can take him to Grandma's everyday and he plays with her senior Golden Retriever who loves to rough house with him. He is a senior so he is gentle and generally lays down while mine does all the work, they tug a war and tussle about on the old dog's bed. Also we hit the dog park a few times a week, mud and all, so he can run and play with other dogs. I keep that short due to not wanting to overdue his legs and hips at this young age. I find he does better with other dogs than he does with us right now. We have two puppy play groups on the weekend we go too also and they learn so much about bite inhibition from other dogs and puppies. Can you find other dogs for him to make friends with and regularly visit? Tires them out nicely and gives you a break. Mine seems bored with just me to play with.

[Petros]

I dont mind the play with me. tho there are thousands of dogs in New ZEaland here. and usually Achillies isnt the one that is tiered out at the end of the play. everybody is lying down and he is still playing... but now we are only out for 40 minutes or so, much because of the reason for the hips and legs which I didnt worry much at first.


He is 5 Months and 2 weeks.

Today he has been exceptionally quiet. quite a change from the last few days...