[DBlain]

this is natural canine play behavior, what they are doing is trying to engage you in play the same way they would with another dog. Dogs don't think like us, they think like dogs and when a dog wants to get another dog to play they start running back and forth until the second dog joins in on the chase and then they start running in circles almost alternating who is in the lead and who is being chased. When you have an only dog I think it happens more often since they see you as their playmate. Lola tries this with me, especially when it comes time to take her out to potty and it drives me crazy. She rings a bell to got out, then runs away when I go to pick her up to put her harness on. I try not to encourage this, so I normally just go and sit on the bottom step of my staircase which is next to the front door, when she sees I will not be playing along she finally gives up and come close enough so I can put her harness on.

I make it a point of not running after her if I want to pick her up I use commands, which unfortunately on occasion I have to shout, but she knows I mean business so she will sit down. However I do initiate a lot of play time and will even do a little bit of chase play, but she seems to pick up on that being play time and when she tries to run from me as misbehaving. Let's face it most of our pups are a lot faster than we are, so you will have a hard time catching you dog if it does not want to be caught. That's why I think it is a good idea when puppies are out of their crates to have a lightweight leash on, it make it much easier to catch them when you need to.