Hyperactivity - Page 2

**Burns** · 09-17-2008, 12:32 PM

If she is getting an appropriate amount of exercise, both physical and mental, every single day (she may need more than other dogs), then I would insist she not act like a crazy loon in the house. When Red comes in the house, there is no running allowed (except the occasional zoomie that my husband encourages

) and if he is pacing or generally being a pest, he is told to lay down. I'll give him a rawhide or something to chew on. They need to learn that when you are turned off, they are turned off.

If its any consolation, Red will not really snuggle either. He thinks if you are down on the floor with him, its because you want to play and get licked all over. I have to watch his head knocking me in the jaw so I don't bite my tongue in half!

Maybe try getting into an obedience class and practicing a lot of obedience and training at home. Dobes need a lot of mental stimulation as well as physical.

**RedFawnRising** · 09-17-2008, 12:52 PM

I have one of each.

One who "turns off" in the house, and one who, well, I keep looking for her remote control button, heh.

In fairness, my male did not start settling down a lot til the past couple months, as he's just passed his two year mark recently.

My female is younger, not exactly sure, as she's a rescue of unknown age/lineage, but she's still growing, so def. under two.

Btw, I am sorry--on another thread, where you mentioned hyperactivity, I posted with questions as to what exercise she was getting--hadn't seen this, and it sounds like you're highly involved with her.

Personally, I'd do NILIF, if you're not already and add in a job for her to do each day, even if it's just teaching her to pick up dropped items or something similar. Sometimes responsiblity will help this type of pup to settle a bit.

Looking into the food thing is a good thing to rule out, but some bloodlines/types of Dobes just have higher energy and drive, too.

budnisa · 09-17-2008, 12:54 PM

Yes...I've never had one that was as energentic as my current pup. I blame it on his mom because she has a working background. I can't cuddle with him yet either. He will half sit in my lap but usually it's when he is chewing a nylabone. I know part of it is puppyness and he will hopefully outgrow some of it at some point. Right now he never tires!!!!

**ellenm** · 09-17-2008, 01:06 PM

I'd limit her freedom indoors if she's had a good 11/2 hr work out. Crate her or baby gate her with a yummy bone.

She just sounds like she's "celebrating" coming indoors. Mine will do that coming inside but generally on rainy days, when they've been saved from that dratted wet stuff! If she knows obedience...have her come in and sit until you release her.

My two aren't cuddlers either. Cheers, who will be 2 in October, seems to get way overexcited when we are down closer to her level.....such as sit on the floor, etc. She chipped a piece of my front tooth in obedience class last week just jumping in the air to do a flip finish to heel. Caught me right in the front tooth.

They do settle down but they definitely need a good run every day for their entire lives,I've found.

eclaire · 09-17-2008, 01:55 PM

Rainah sometimes acts like this, but as suggested by someone else, I typically tell her to 'go to your bed' and give her a bone to chew on. Or, sometimes I will have her come on the couch with me and I will HOLD her bone for her to chew on... she LOVES it when I do this and pretty much as long as I will sit there and hold it she will lay there and chew it. Also, doing some obedience training in the house always seems to calm her down.

Rainah isn't much of a cuddler either, though from what I have read from other posters, I think this might be a Dobe thing. If she is sitting on the couch next to me I sometimes wrap my arms around her and give her a big hug and she will tolerate it but kinda gives me the "wtf are you doing mom?" look afterwards. (i love hugging her tho, i can't help myself) That said, she always wants to be near us... ie, if we go upstairs, she will follow. I go outside, she has to come with. Velcro-dobes!!!

poconogal · 09-17-2008, 02:00 PM

I have 3 Dobes, a male and two females. The females are about 1-1/2 years old. One of the females does not have an off switch! She is happy and healthy, and just wants to run and play and play and run until she's finally tired out. Our male was like that too up until recently. He's now about 23 months old. He has now, thankfully, calmed down.

Santa · 09-17-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soconnor

I work at an animal hospital, but have not heard of this....how did you know?

Well Zac had other symptoms - when rescued he was skin and bone, I mean REALLY emaciated, but it turned out it wasn't from starvation. Every thing he ate came out liquid and very, very unpleasant and apparently this had always been the case. Anyway, we had various tests done, tried all the foods recommended by vets, nothing. Then I was recommended another vet. We went to see him and it was quite an experience - his office was a decrepit shed and when I went in I wasn't even sure if he was alive! But when I explained the diarrhoea problem and he asked if Zac was hyperactive (although he could probably see that for himself), he immediately said 'gluten allergy'. He didn't do tests of any kind, just told me to put him on a diet of human food, but gluten free. So Zac got various meats and veg cooked up for him every day (it was time consuming!) and the difference was remarkable within 3 days! I had never seen a solid poop from him before, so it was quite emotional. He put on weight and condition, grew a lovely shiny coat and thrived on it, and he calmed down! He lived on human food for a while but I'd been doing my research and food a good holistic food (www.burnsholistic.co.uk) that was available here. When I mentioned the gluten allergy to the people at Burns they said they'd seen loads of it and their food is ideal for the problem. It worked out well for us, Zac loves it and is very healthy on it. Since then I've met a few other people at dog club who've had the same problem. It affects them all differently though - Zac's is very severe, I can't even give him a couple of normal biscuits or he gets runny poop. Others just have to make sure they don't get too much. To be honest, the gluten free diet never bothered me because I used to have a flatmate the same - half a slice of bread and she looked pregnant, so I'm used to dealing with it. Sorry, didn't mean to write an essay!

**Incredibledobe** · 09-18-2008, 12:45 AM

All 4 of mine are sport dogs and all settle down in the house just fine. They like to be on our laps, on the couch or on the dog beds. In 30 years, I have never had a dog who could not calm down when told to do so. I do not exercise mine everyday. They get to go places and they run a bit on our property and train 3 times a week. I don't use exercise though to teach self control either.
Dogs do not come with self control - it must be taught. It sounds like she doesn't have any and just doesn't know what to do with herself. Getting her some self control and calming her mind down will benefit her as well as you.
What type of training methods are you using? I have heard of barkbusters, but don't know much about them. i think they are a franchise and as such, you may not be getting the most experienced trainer. It might be a good idea to look at other trainers in your area too.

edh · 09-18-2008, 07:45 AM

I can vouch for the mental stimulation. I can play frisby with Susie, she will come in, lie down for 10 minutes, then be ready to go again. On the other hand, we can come home from her training class and she will be out for the rest of the evening.

Ed

**Burns** · 09-18-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edh

I can vouch for the mental stimulation. I can play frisby with Susie, she will come in, lie down for 10 minutes, then be ready to go again. On the other hand, we can come home from her training class and she will be out for the rest of the evening.

That's how it is for Red, too. The longest off-leash walks don't seem to tire him out, but every time we come back from a one-hour training session, he is spent! A tired dog is a good dog