Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 1/31/2008

Question

I sent this question to another expert, who responed that she had already answered the question for ME before (even though it was the 1st time I ever posted a question here) could you please help?

I have a puppy that is approximately 9 months old.  We have had him for about 7
1/2 months.  He is Yellow lab and husky mix.  He is beautiful!  BUT, he is
totally uncontrollable!  He jumps (kind of like "tigger"), bites at feet (which
hurts very badly), bites at/holds onto arms, runs around "crazy", refuses to
listen/obey anything or anyone, and has been "huntching" anything/anyone in
sight, for about 3 months.
He is actually very smart; learned to sit and ly very quickly-BUT will no longer
do either (unless you have food for him; and not always even then).  On the
leash, he used to stay by your side-not any more..he wants to run ahead and
"lead" AND jump! He was housebroken very easily, and quickly; that has not went
backward, like everything else (thank goodness).  We have read lots of articles,
tried everything!  We spoke with a couple of "trainers" to get advice.  At one
point, we were told that even though it is not good to use the cage to "punish"
that he was so out of control that we would need to use the cage for "time out."  
We did this...has not worked!  He, of course, has to be in the cage when we are
at work (since he tears things up, if he is out and we are gone-actually, he
will do it even if we are home). If he is not in the cage, he will not even lay
down/relax (the minute he goes back in, he will lay down/relax). He will not let
you pet/rub him very much! He bites at your hand, etc. after about a minute.  We
love this dog!  BUT I do not think it is fair to him that he LIVE in a cage!  We
want him to be a part of our family!  We want him to be free to move around the
house and interact with us!  We are at our wits end! Please offer some
advice...we love DuPont, and want to make him a member of our family!  

Answer
You need to consult a veterinarian with an expertise in neurological disorders.  It's possible your dog is experiencing a seizure disorder.  A trial of phenobarbital (which cannot harm him) might totally extinguish this.  If it's behavioral (all neurological problems ruled out) repost to me and we'll tackle it.