apparent restraint attempt

Question
 My Airedale puppy is a 5-month-old (today) male.  He's been with my lab (5-yr-old altered male) and I for almost 2 months and is now completely housetrained, walks well on a leash, and doesn't bite me during play unless I happen to foolishly get between the two of them when they're playing.  He responds readily to a handful of commands and willingly gives up the ball when asked to "fetch".  My question concerns his habit of holding my pants or shorts in his mouth and trying to pull me in a different direction when we're in the fenced-in back yard (no leash). Is he just playing or does he have a goal?

Answer
SOME BEHAVIORS we can actually laugh at.  This is one of them.  The Airedale is a very confident (if bred correctly), brave and affectionate companion.  You have a WONDERFUL PUPPY.  Why not "capture" this pant-holding behavior (using positive reinforcement training, and this dog is a strong candidate for the clicker! Read karen pryor's website).  In this way, you can turn the "tables" on him and use his own choice of playful behavior to teach him something.  And remember: dogs are living beings with a culture of their own and genetically mandated behaviors, as well as behaviors WE sometimes inadvertently train.  Examine your response to his pant-leg behavior.  You may have created or accelerated this.  Have someone stand and observe your two to three times and report back what you are doing.  If you're somehow participating, you will soon realize it.