How to stop 8 month old from trying to escape/throwing a tantrum

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I have a unique situation. My daughter has physical disabilities and could benefit from a service dog in the future. I, myself, have an OLD maltese mix who is very unstable on his legs. She came across a deal we couldn't pass up and bought an Aussie doodle puppy to train for her future service dog. 
Here is our set up, because "Wackadoodle" is so big and so young, he thinks our "Old man" is a play toy and plows over hi or bats him around every chance he gets! I am afraid he will hurt him! 
SO, we have to keep them separate. So we have "Wackadoodle" penned off in the dining room with access to the doggy door and his kennel. Periodically we will kennel him to allow Old man to go outside. At other times of the day we pen up "Old man" and allow "Wackadoodle" to roam free and play in the common areas. 
But when "Wackadoodle" is penned up he is whining and throwing his body against the fenced off area trying to shove his way out, he bites at the fence and pulls at it constantly. All he does is try to escape. 
DO you have any recommendations or training tips that will help us to calm / settle/ him down to relax until he's allowed out of his area. 

Please note: His area is not too small, and like I said, he has access to our backyard any time he pleases so he has plenty of room to run and play at any given moment indoors or out, lots of toys and plenty of attention throughout the day. 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hello, sorry for the delay. I have been traveling on a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic and the internet package was horrible. 

It’s wonderful that you’re planning ahead for a service dog to assist your daughter, and it’s clear you care deeply for the wellbeing of both your "Old Man" and your new "Wackadoodle."

You are correct that keeping them separated for now is the safest choice, especially given the puppy’s size, energy, and lack of awareness around fragile dogs. Puppies, particularly those bred from high-energy working lines like Aussiedoodles, often lack the impulse control needed to interact gently without direct, structured guidance.

What you are seeing with "Wackadoodle" throwing his body, biting the fence, and trying to escape is frustration-driven behavior. In his mind, the barrier is blocking him from the fun, social interaction, and exploration he craves.  He has fear of missing out. Even though he has space, toys, and outdoor access, his need for mental engagement and structure isn't fully satisfied yet  and that’s very normal for his developmental stage.

Here are some targeted recommendations to help settle him:

Reinforce calm behaviors- Actively train "Wackadoodle" to relax near the barrier rather than fight it. You can reward him only when he is calm, for example, quietly sitting, lying down, or chewing a toy. Scatter feeding (tossing small handfuls of kibble around his area for him to sniff and find) can also promote natural foraging behaviors that reduce frustration.

Provide Predictable Routines-Puppies thrive on predictability. Create a clear routine where he learns, “When I am calm and quiet, I get ______” (access to humans, a short play session, a treat puzzle, etc.). If he tantrums at the fence, do your best to not reward the behavior with attention, even negative attention. Only interact when he’s calm, even briefly.

Shorter but more frequent rotations: right now, the longer he is penned without enough structured activities, the more frustrated he becomes. You might find it helpful to rotate the dogs more frequently for shorter periods, but pair "Wackadoodle’s" penned times with enrichment activities, such as:

• Food-dispensing toys (Kong, Toppl, treat balls)

• Snuffle mats

• Lick mats

• Scent games (e.g., hide treats for him to find) https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/elementary/the-treasure-hunt/

Impulse Control Exercises: Early training on  go to your "place" work (going to a bed and staying) https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/video-archive/train-dog-go-to-mat/ and basic obedience can channel that big brain and busy body. Aussiedoodles are extremely smart, and mental work can tire them out even faster than physical exercise. Set up impulse control games: https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/10-impulse-control-games-for-dogs/

Barrier Desensitization: Start brief, structured sessions where you approach and reward him only when he is calm behind the barrier. If he throws a tantrum, walk away. If he calms even for 2-3 seconds, reward that with a food treat tossed behind the gate or gentle praise. Over time, he’ll learn that the barrier is not an obstacle to happiness, calmness is the key.

Exercise and Social Outlets: He may benefit from additional structured exercise like leash walks, basic training outings, or puppy classes geared toward service dog prospects. Just "access to the backyard" often isn't enough for high-drive puppies; they need their bodies and minds actively worked under supervission.

You are doing a lot right already by providing supervision, safe separation, and attention to both dogs' needs. This frustration phase is common at this age, but with calm consistency, plenty of mental stimulation, and carefully building up positive associations with being behind the barrier, you’ll see improvement.

And most importantly: managing his impulses now will only help his future success as a service dog.

Let me know if you need any further assistance!