hyperactivity
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| They are still spazzes at that age! I'd consider a trainer before I considered medication. It sounds like he could just need more exercise. A bored dog can be destructive and if he's already bursting with energy, confining him will only make it worse. I think I'd start with a couple really long walks every day. Then, after he's had some exercise, if he's still bouncing around, maybe a trip to the dog park to burn off a little more energy and then you'd get the bonus of some socializing time. But, I wouldn't use the dog park as a substitute for walking. |
Ditto on the excercise. A tired dog is a good dog.. 
dolly wrote: WE are really having a difficult time training our 7 mos old OEs. What specifically are you having problems with training him to do? Perhaps we can help you out with something in particular. Let us know what you have tried so far so we can help you. dolly wrote: He is nervous and when we try to confine him he just howls and barks.
How do you know he is nervous? What exactly does he do, and in what situation? What have you done to try to remedy the situation so far? |
| He cannot still still. He paces constantly. He sleeps very little and when not watched, he chews holes in our walls. We have tried confining him in the kitchen at night and when we are gone and he destroys all in sight. He howls all night and only quits if we let him out and then drags branches and leaves and bark and you name it in all night long. He has chewed up all of our rattan furniture and a leather chair. We walk him and play fetch and nothing seems to tire him out so he can relax. What next? |
| What about crating him? He wouldn't be able to be destructive and you can even keep it in your room at night. |
| OES can be very high energy. Do you live near any dogparks, doggie daycares, or safe offleash areas where he could get a couple of hours of exercise a few times per week? |
| Instead of putting him in the kitchen use a kennel? Guarantee he cant destroy anything when inside. Have you ever used a kennel with your oes? |
| We have always been able to use this kitchen in our other OES but this one is very lively. Wouldn't he still bark in the crate? |
| Some dogs look to their crate as a safe place. They enjoy the den like feeling of it. It may take a little while to get used too. But it is much safer for him. |
| I agree with exercise!
George was naughty until we got him into a routine which included all his exercise. He is only 8 months now but if has too much energy he gets naughty and will chew etc. |
dolly wrote: We have always been able to use this kitchen in our other OES but this one is very lively. Wouldn't he still bark in the crate?
He may bark in his crate at first, but if you are consistent in ignoring his attention-seeking, he'll eventually stop. You could also try the penny-can if he is barking out of control. Crate training is just good sense... even if you don't plan to use the crate when they are older, it's good to have them crate trained in case you are ever in a situation where crating is needed (vets, groomers, traveling, etc...). It's especially important if you have a puppy who is "mouthy" and likes to chew/eat everything... that could be very dangerous, even deadly. It's like a kid who hates wearing a seatbelt... even if they cried and yelled for the entire trip, that would be better than letting them choose to be unsafe. I would also recommend obedience training if you haven't already started this, along with 2 walks a day, at least 30 minutes each. |
Quote: WE are really having a difficult time training our 7 mos old OEs. He has chewed 5 holes in our sheetrock and just cannot settle down. He is nervous and when we try to confine him he just howls and barks. This has gone on for weeks on end. Has anyone ever resorted to meds to calm their dogs down. We are desperate. HELP!!!!!!!! First of all... do you have my dog? Quote: He sleeps very little
I'm wondering if he's sleeping all day maybe when you're at work? He needs lots of exercise to burn off all that puppy energy. Suggestion #1 Pups with too much freedom and not enough supervision are a bad and sometimes dangerous combination. Dogs have to learn limits and this means that when they are loose they have to be supervised 100% of the time. If you can't watch him and give corrections, he needs to be confined to a safe place. But be careful that you don't over confine a dog or you will have a whole new set of issues to deal with. Suggestion #2 His safe place is no longer safe. Chewing through drywall is a very serious problem... he could get a hold of an electrical wire and be killed instantly. I think the only option left is a sturdy crate (ALWAYS remove the collar before crating to prevent strangulation). With his antics though you need to make sure it's sturdy so he won't strangle just trying to get out of it. Night Time Disturbances- You've mentioned confining him. Is he always separated from you at night? Rather than confining him, have you simply invited him into the bedroom to sleep? If you have a crate, just being able to see you might be comfort enough for him to settle. Dogs that act out like this sometimes simply can stand to be separated from their humans... they can't control themselves. Maybe you'd get a good nights sleep? MY Opinion (and UNprofessional at that )
I'm wondering if you're dealing with some separation anxiety here (that's why I asked if you have my dog  ). Much of this behavior could be explained as separation anxiety BUT a med is only part of the answer. Behavior modification is also REQUIRED if you want a long term solution. It took us over 1 year to "fix" a 10 month old rescue sheepie that had severe separation anxiety due to over confinement and living in 3 different homes not including being in a Humane Society for a month. She had been crated/confined too much and was never consistently taught rules and limits. She was like an 12 week old puppy in a 10 month old body.
It's so hard to tell what's actually going on with just words but from what I've read, there appear to be some problems with his freedom, confinement and training. I'd suggest a good professional trainer be brought into the home for a couple of sessions. A trainer can observe the dog and how you all are interacting then give you ideas on how to make things better. I would also recommend that you speak with your vet today. Only your vet can tell you if this is indeed separation anxiety and if Clomicalm or Clomipramine would be appropriate (PLUS behavior modification) or if simply training and some other changes might be the answer instead. Here's a link about separation anxiety... http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... ourceID=42 I personally think your dog may be suffering and that intervention is needed. IF it is separation anxiety, he simply cannot control himself so please don't scold him for the naughty behavior... it will only add to his anxiety. If you find it's separation anxiety and need to discuss some options, please let me know. I'll try to help. |
| Thanks for all of your great suggestions. The vet thinks it is separation anxiety but my husband has committed to two long walks a day. I am involved more on the weekends beause of my schedule. I know lack of exercise has been a problem and we are going to change that right away, it started tonight with a long walk in the desert. He seems a bit calmer already.
I really wanted to try the crate but my husband is still hesitant. Will keep you posted. Dolly |
| You might also want to get a check up at the vet to be sure there isn't anything physically bothering him like ears, etc. And check his food and treats for excessive sugar...Like in children, sugar can cause some hyperactivity.
I agree with more exercise and I also agree with him sleeping in your bedroom at night. Doesn't haev to be in your bed. Just in the same room. Believe it or ot there is a bonding that takes place when sleeping. the dog can smell you and see you and feel you there and its comforting. A tired dog is a happy dog |
| I was against crating with several of my dogs, thought it was cruel, boy was I wrong, have crate trained the last two and both of them along with me were/are much happier . Dutch is 10 months now and has been sleeping in a crate from the first nite at 9 weeks old. I had the small crate beside the bed when we first brought her home and she slept right through the first nite with no potty breaks.she has been in a large crate for several months now and it is in the kitchen and she goes quite willingly into it at nite. through the day she sleeps were ever she feels like , usualy were ever I am |
Quote: I know lack of exercise has been a problem and we are going to change that right away, it started tonight with a long walk in the desert.
That's great 
The meds took the edge off Panda and allowed her to be a little more relaxed... she was less panicky. Her separation anxiety was severe... she had to be on Clomipramine for about a year. If you find the exercise isn't quiet enough, ask your vet about a medication. Though I don't use crates past the age of 6 months anymore, crates are a wonderful "tool" to use. One of our vets had instructed us that if you can't watch your pup, she needs to be put in her crate to keep her safe. If you can get your husband to reconsider the crate, it could save your pup's life. It doesn't mean it has to be forever... just until you get the destructive anxiety controlled. Many dogs find comfort in their crate... all of mine started out in one (except Panda who arrived with over confinement issues). The trick to making a crate work is to make it a great place to be. You help to make it a great place by feeding all meals inside the crate so the dog learns that good things happen when he's in there. You can toss treats in as you walk by too. There are always safe toys inside the crate. It's never, ever to be used as a punishment. A dark blanket tossed over all sides but the front can make it den-like which dogs often like. You might also put a stuffed kong inside at times so he has something to work on while in there. Nylabones are usually safe choices too. When you leave, try leaving on talk radio or the TV... the background noise is often comforting. It's like someone is still in the house. We leave the Weather Channel on. Good luck to you. I sounds like you're both very determined to help him through this. |
6Girls wrote: If you can get your husband to reconsider the crate, it could save your pup's life.
I agree....We had a German Shepherd named Harley (who has since crossed the bridge due to cancer) One night when we went out he chewed through an extension cord. Luckily he didn't chew far enough into it to kill himself, but he must have gotten quite the jolt. It fried part of his gums, he lost part of his tongue and he had to have a tooth pulled. My husband felt the crate was cruel and decided to just let him have full run in the garage that night, thinking it was safe. Harley eventually grew out of his chewing phase and once we moved to the Desert we were able to trust him.....sort of... He ate a double bed and boxspring and a pillow right after we moved in.  He finally calmed down once we adopted Pepsi. That or he was no longer bored. |
| Thank you all for the great advice. We got a crate and use the penny can and we cannot believe the difference. He sleeps all night without a peep in the crate and just the presence of it keeps him from being destructive during the day. He HATES the penny can and stops immediately from whatever naughtly behavior he is engaged in. Why or Why did we not do this sooner? |
| I'm so happy that things have improved.
Thanks for the update |
| Wonderful update! I am so thrilled that he took so well to the crate. |
| what a great update, sounds like your well on your way |
| As far as crat training, dogs that are crate trained usually end up growing up and liking their crate. The quite often look at their crate as a safe place or their little own home. My previous cocker spaniel used to go there when things in the house were getting too crazy.
The exercise thing is key. Also, if you are going to do any training, be sure that he is tired after a good walk. You don't want to try to train him to do something when the only thing on his mind is getting out, going crazy and using up some of his confined energy. Remember tha the morning walks are also key. If you walk him in the morning,l he will have the rest of the day to recover then when you come home from work, another little walk will keep him on and even keel. If you don't walk him in the morning, he will store all of that energy and go wild during the day and destroy eveerything that you consider precious...you know like your house! I love the Kong toys. Rheba loves to work for her treats. She is not a fan of toys that are tough. She loves stuffed animals but she will work nonstop on the tough Kongs to get her treats out. You have been given lots of great suggestions. Lot of the posts are repeats (including mine)....that just means that certain things are almost guaranteed to work. You're little baby is going through the "terrible 2's" that humans go through. Remember that it is okay to be strict. Dogs, just like children, love structure and sheepies especially love structure. Disclaimer...haha...I'm no pro but I can give and "act like a pro" opinion. Good luck and we are all behind you! |
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