Lacie turned 6 months old. I have been working with a positive methods based trainer (clicker, praise, and treats) and getting fantastic results. But recently, Lacie has begun charging into me when we are out in the backyard playing. We play fetch, tug and chase. Then, we take a little break and I will be standing there or begin to walk towards another part of the yard, when Lacie will come charging at me at full speed and either deliberately bump into me as she runs by, or will jump up on me, and then stand next to me. My question is have others on the forum experienced this and is it normal and why does it happen? Is it play, invitation to play, dominance...what may be going on?

Thanks,
Tom

My Nugget will do this occasionally why I don't know is it normal ? With some yes as another of my dogs would do it to.


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Isla does this. When she was smaller she'd room around the garden and dart around me. Now she's bigger she'll zoom around, dart round me 2 or 3 times, each time getting closer, and then she'll run straight in to me full force and try and take my legs out. Often she'll couple this with a leap at me.

In Isla's case I think she's just being payful. She's really boisterous so this fits right in with her personality!

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That makes me feel better that other golden owners have experienced this as well. Lacie has never been aggressive and is usually as gentle as a lamb. She is changing, however. At six months old, she is eating more (always hungry) and sleeping more throughout the day. She is also more "mushy" and craving more attention. I think there is a hormonal change taking place.

It may be normal, but IMHO should not be tolerated. Between dogs, bumps and body slamming are considered rude and could land her in a squabble. Do it to the wrong person and you may be facing paying for someone else's knee surgery.

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Mary and the Goldens from Maine

"Trace" - Can. CH Bramley's Light Up The Night, CD, RA - (CGC, CCA, TDI-Therapy Dog and Novice DockDock)
"Rumor" - Jackson's Leap of Faith

Waiting at the Bridge
"Lexi" - Wise Teacher and Best-est Puppy Raiser
"Liberty" - Bramley's Golden Moments Libby CD, RE - ASCA-CD, Can. CD - (CGC and TDI-Therapy Dog)

Hank used to do this when he was younger and it was difficult to stop. I once mentioned this rude behavior in a thread. One day he repeled off me in the driveway. Maturity probably helped the most. It can be especially dangerous on steps so be careful!

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

Sitting with LibertyMe on this one. Normal to try it, but not OK to allow it to continue. It is considered rude for dogs to do it to each other and people can certainly get hurt.

Bear will charge me but he'll always whip around a good three feet around me to make sure he doesn't hit me. We're working on a calm greeting where someone puts their hand out, he walks up, touches his nose to their palm and sits down. So far, we've got the nose to palm 95% of the time, but sometimes he likes to run up to touch your palm (no body slamming) or touch you with his teeth. So it's a work in progress.

Maybe when your pup charges you, as she gets closer, give her the sit command and reward her when she stops and sits at your feet.

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My pup does this, though not so much anymore.

He'll run at me and leap and push on me with his paws LOL it's so weird.

He's almost 7 months now so he rarely does it but when he was younger he did it ALL the time.

(Not a Golden, btw)

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Michelle, Tucker, and Pucci

This is a little off topic, but I would be totally devastated if when I came home after work Oscar would touch my palm and sits down quietly ...
I am much happier when he jumps on me, licks my face all over, nips my hands, chin and ears, rolls on a floor and behaves totally crazy for a couple minutes or so. And No, we do not practice this type of greetings with strangers

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Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend.