Calming supplements for dogs

[spacytracy]

Kyztek, REALLY!? I’m here for help, not criticism or snarky responses. FYI the dog park is about 40 minutes away, so no, I’m not going there 3 times a week. Sorry.

And no, my entire family or other animals are not all on calming supplements. Personally, whatever you need to take to be “right” in the world (meaning comfortable and at ease) is something to consider. She clearly can’t deal with me leaving, or with the sight of other dogs. YES I know she’s a puppy. This is beyond normal puppy, in my opinion and in the one of the professional trainer I have been working with. And aside from quitting my job and spending 5 hours a day running her ragged, I’m just going to have to give it a try.

And I NEVER said I was putting the dog on Prozac! Where in the world did you get that!??! Because I was asking for a calming supplement?

Threedogs - Thank you for the help, really and truly. yes, I do understand that she’s not really capable of keeping her attention on me, which is why I think my best strategy with outside stimuli is to remove her for the time being to get her focus back on me.

I’m trying to make this right, I appreciate the words of encouragement and the suggestions.

[threedogpack]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;5777366]

Threedogs - Thank you for the help, really and truly. yes, I do understand that she’s not really capable of keeping her attention on me, which is why I think my best strategy with outside stimuli is to remove her for the time being to get her focus back on me.

I’m trying to make this right, I appreciate the words of encouragement and the suggestions.[/QUOTE]

I thought you probably understood about the brief moments of attention, just wanted to make sure. You are completely correct that either not going over threshold or if you do, to try to remove her from the stim. Unfortunately sometimes that just isn’t possible, sometimes life just happens. When it does, you just gotta do what you have to, to get through a few moments till you can re-group.

Do you have any friends who have dogs with a similar play style that might want to try a play date? Dog parks can be a good, or not so good thing as you don’t have control over the other dogs and you don’t want her to be so over stimulated she gets aggressive. It sounds to me like you have a pretty fair understanding of your dog and will watch for that though.

Please let us know how you do!

[spacytracy]

That’s basically what I did when we went to Petco. Imagine huge Dane blocking the entrance. I’m like “Well, we drove all this way” and just marched through. She had her little moment but was really really good and I was able to get her physically away from the dog quickly and without fanfare.

I have a few friends that have similarly energetic dogs- one being the trainer I work with - we’ve become good friends and she has some training issues she’s working with her dog on, but she is SO busy with training that its really hard to get together on a regular basis.

I have another who has a little pit who is a doll, but the dog injured her shoulder so no rough play.

I am doggy sitting for a week this week (here at the house) for another friend’s dog, who is also a doll, so hopefully they will tire eachother out!

[Kyzteke]

@spacytracy;5777366

Kyztek, REALLY!? I’m here for help, not criticism or snarky responses. FYI the dog park is about 40 minutes away, so no, I’m not going there 3 times a week. Sorry.

And no, my entire family or other animals are not all on calming supplements. Personally, whatever you need to take to be “right” in the world (meaning comfortable and at ease) is something to consider. She clearly can’t deal with me leaving, or with the sight of other dogs. YES I know she’s a puppy. This is beyond normal puppy, in my opinion and in the one of the professional trainer I have been working with. And aside from quitting my job and spending 5 hours a day running her ragged, I’m just going to have to give it a try.

And I NEVER said I was putting the dog on Prozac! Where in the world did you get that!??! Because I was asking for a calming supplement?

I’m trying to make this right, I appreciate the words of encouragement and the suggestions.

Sorry – I’m for the dog here and you are looking for the easiest method (for you), which is drugs (or “supplements”).

Again, if she is so “abnormal”, funny you should meet another Pit puppy at PetsMart “with the same personality”. Must be another “abnormal” one.

Perhaps you should take a minute and reflect what it would be like to be a very social creature, dying for some sort of interaction, then think about being locked in a crate at least 8 hrs a day, and confined to a house another 8 hrs a day.

BTW, you never answered any of my questions about exercise alternatives, so I suspect you are not a particularly active person yourself…

Again, giving this puppy a “supplement” is not making it easier on HER, it’s making it easier on YOU. So let’s just be very, very clear on that.

And if you consider this snarky, then so be it.

[spacytracy]

Its not really even worth responding to. But hey, I’ll bite.

How is it NOT easier on her. Would she not feel calmer, content, and not as anxious when she is home alone??? Shrug, I’m not home. So the barking doesn’t affect me. I’m not there. But I’m sure it makes her anxious. So I’d rather she’s happier being home by herself, and maybe get to the point where she does not need to be crated.

Yes, her behavior is inappropriate and not in a totally puppy way. The other dog was not a puppy, and acted this way. The handler even said at one point “Not appropriate” to the dog when that dog started getting overly play-aggressive.

The dog is NOT confined to the house 8 hrs after I come home. In fact, she’s crated about 6 hrs. And the hours that she is not confined, she is outside with me, doing barn work, throwing a ball, taking a walk, playing with my daughter, running around. When she’s inside, she is with the family, either lounging on her bed or playing with the cat/daughter/me/hubby.

Tell me how many people have dogs who work full time, and how many MORE dogs there would be in a shelter if working adults did not own them.

Its very nice that you have a job that allows you to be home and give your dogs all the attention they need and then some. I dont’ have that luxury and many other people don’t either. I’m working with what I got and trying to make it the best situation for BOTH OF US.

I’m sure you imagine me sitting around while the dog runs circles and I just throw a xanax in her mouth and tell her to shut up. I’m sure you think I don’t DO anything, and you could not be more wrong, yesterday (while it was downpouring all day) I was looking at the bars you attach to a bicycle for dogs. But eh, that’s stupid. I’ll just pop some pills in her mouth and lock her away.

And yes, its snarky. Its self-righteous, insulting and downright rude.

[threedogpack]

@spacytracy;5777617

That’s basically what I did when we went to Petco. Imagine huge Dane blocking the entrance. I’m like “Well, we drove all this way” and just marched through. She had her little moment but was really really good and I was able to get her physically away from the dog quickly and without fanfare.

good. If it wasn’t a negative experience and you both survived…maybe she learned a little something from it.

I have a few friends that have similarly energetic dogs- one being the trainer I work with - we’ve become good friends and she has some training issues she’s working with her dog on, but she is SO busy with training that its really hard to get together on a regular basis.

well if you can even get together 2x a month that’s better than nothing right? But if it doesn’t happen, then you figure out other ways to help your dog. We all have to do what we have to do, right?

I have another who has a little pit who is a doll, but the dog injured her shoulder so no rough play.

bummer.

I am doggy sitting for a week this week (here at the house) for another friend’s dog, who is also a doll, so hopefully they will tire eachother out!

that sounds hopeful!

[BetterOffRed]

I know that you have a horse. This is just a suggestion, but do you have any opportunity to take your dog to the barn? I usually take my dogs to the barn and take them out to the fields to let them run and smell stuff and burn off all of the excess energy. And then when I am tacking up or riding, I kennel them in the tack room.

I am always amazed at how good my dogs are at the barn - better than at home or when I am walking them around my neighborhood. I guess it is because it is neutral territory and too many amazing things to smell and roll in. The also react to new dogs better there too and so they’ve made lots of dog friends at the barn. I am also more relaxed with them at the barn. haha!

[threedogpack]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;5778227]

And yes, its snarky. Its self-righteous, insulting and downright rude.[/QUOTE]

or you could just be defending yourself.

We all have to work within the limits of our lives. There are plenty of people who would disapprove of how I handle my dogs but guess what? They don’t live with me, sign my paycheck or pay my bills so …um, yeah.

You are doing the best you can with a dog who requires more than a pat on the head at the end of what might be an exhausting day for you. I say good for you, both for trying so hard and also for asking for ideas.

I have a friend with a reactive GSD that bought a Springer for her bike. She uses it very early in the morning before most people are up. It works well for her now, but there was a pretty steep learning curve for her dog. The first lunge/bark was exciting. If you can get past that, it’s an option for sure.

Just had another idea, have you ever though of teaching her to lunge? stops to think a moment…I believe another friend had a Greyhound she taught this to. Don’t know how well it worked but hey, we have horses right? Just another thought, might be worthless too!

[spacytracy]

BetterOffRed, yes, my barn is home. So when I ride, I bring her along and she gets to run in the field when I ride. She is totally trustworthy around the horses.

Where I take lessons, she’s been a few times, but she is not exactly ‘welcome’ - they love her but she gets their dogs all riled up and then they’re running nuts through the barn.

I wish our trails were more deserted so we could take her riding with us, but unfortunately its not possible.

[BetterOffRed]

@threedogpack;5778416

We all have to work within the limits of our lives. There are plenty of people who would disapprove of how I handle my dogs but guess what? They don’t live with me, sign my paycheck or pay my bills so …um, yeah.

You are doing the best you can with a dog who requires more than a pat on the head at the end of what might be an exhausting day for you. I say good for you, both for trying so hard and also for asking for ideas.

3DP- I think I heart you like whoa! :lol:

Tracey, I agree with 3DP- you are doing the best with a very reactive dog. I know you will find a solution!

[spacytracy]

Ok, so I tried biking with her today, I’m waiting to win a Walky Dog on ebay, but figured I’d try before I bought the thing to see if she’d freak. She didn’t.

She actually ran quite nicely beside the bike.

I did about 15 min with her and my legs were jiggling. I haven’t biked in awhile and our roads are pure hill.

She did get behind me a few times but I think I was going too fast.

[BetterOffRed]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;5779538]
Ok, so I tried biking with her today, I’m waiting to win a Walky Dog on ebay, but figured I’d try before I bought the thing to see if she’d freak. She didn’t.

She actually ran quite nicely beside the bike.

I did about 15 min with her and my legs were jiggling. I haven’t biked in awhile and our roads are pure hill.

She did get behind me a few times but I think I was going too fast.[/QUOTE]

LIKE!

[threedogpack]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;5779538]
Ok, so I tried biking with her today, I’m waiting to win a Walky Dog on ebay, but figured I’d try before I bought the thing to see if she’d freak. She didn’t.

She actually ran quite nicely beside the bike.

I did about 15 min with her and my legs were jiggling. I haven’t biked in awhile and our roads are pure hill.

She did get behind me a few times but I think I was going too fast.[/QUOTE]

Yay! That’s an easy fix then. Just be careful, K?