Can't Get Dog to Calm Down

[vandynole]

My 9-month-old pup has a hard time sitting still. I realize most 9-month-old pups probably do, but even after I take him on a brisk one-hour walk to burn off that energy, he's still wound up. When we get back from the walk, he's pacing around the house, digging the carpet, making frustrated barking/groaning sounds, wanting to go in and out the back door, etc. He's a basset-dachshund mix, so I wouldn't expect him to be especially hyperactive.

Does this sound normal?

He doesn't enjoy going for walks--he tries to turn around several times because he'll get spooked by a noise, or he's just being stubborn. When he does get spooked, I patiently wait him out and he'll start walking again soon enough. So, one of my theories is that any energy he's burning off is offset by the added anxiety caused by the walk.

Does that sound plausible? Has anyone tried any of the dog-calming pills or sprays?

 

[oc_spirit]

Have you tried extending your walks? Playing with him in the yard before and after your walks? Training? Calming pills and drops whould be a last resort

 

[Doberluv]

If he's not enjoying his walk, are you making the walks fun? Are you bringing along a squeeky toy or something he especially likes reserved just for walks and a pocket full of treats and a goofy, happy voice? Make it like a game and reward him every few steps. Toss the toy up ahead a little ways. Maybe instead of making the walks so long, try a few more shorter walks instead of one long one. Maybe the walk is too long all at once and that's why he wants to go back.

Did you just get this dog? How much socialization has he had? If things spook him, he needs a more gradual exposure...how about a less scary place for a walk and try to make new things assoicated with fun and treats.

Are you doint any obedience skills with him? That is a really good confidence builder and good brain exercise. Can you get him in a class where motivation and reward based methods are used?

He just sounds bored, not stubborn. When he is doing this digging the carpet etc, can you distract him and teach him a little trick or ask him to do some of the obedience skills he's learning? How about retrieving? That's often fun for dogs. He just needs a job I think....maybe a little more romping outside. He's still a pup and maturity doesn't happen this soon. He'll be fine.

 

[mjb]

Maybe the walk is too long. When my dog was a puppy, he would get hyperactive when we over-exercised him. We were trying to walk him, play with him for a long time, etc., to get him to calm down. He was a wildly active puppy. The more we worked at wearing him out, the more hyper he got. I read on a dog forum some other people having this problem. Someone suggested that they ease up on the exercise. I did, and it helped quite a bit. He was calmer if I didn't play/exercise him so much. I think I was pushing him too hard trying to get his energy down!!

 

[Giny]

I agree with Doberluv that he may need more mental exercises. They tend to make dogs mentally and physically tired faster and it doesn't work up his anxieties. Working on some commands or just playing a game of find the treat/toy works well.

When he does get spooked, I patiently wait him out and he'll start walking again soon enough. So, one of my theories is that any energy he's burning off is offset by the added anxiety caused by the walk.

I'm no professional when it comes to training but I can tell you, from the perspective of an owner with a very nervous dog, what work well with us. When I take my dog out for her walk I make sure to show her that I'm confident, they tend to read off on us. When she gets spook I don't stop and wait till she's better, this just seems to show her that there may be a reason to be afraid since it also made you stop. I just keep walking along telling her in an even tone;

"No big deal, it's just the....(whatever noise that startled her)....lets keep going"

That way she thinks that I'm not worried about it so she tends to calm down faster.

 

[Doberluv]

Excellent points Giny. I forgot to talk about that. They sure do read us like a book, don't they.

 

[vandynole]

Thanks for the replies. I might try to make the walk more fun by tossing sticks ahead of him, although I'm also training him to walk properly on the leash, so I'll have to be careful.

In the past, our morning/evening walks were shorter, and he was still hyper afterwards. That's what caused me to lengthen the walks. Once we're far into the walk, he's perfectly fine. It's only at the very beginning/end that he's a pain.

We're in an 8-week obedience class now, and I could definitely stand to do more homework with him. I'll see if that helps. Thanks again!

 

[Doberluv]

Well, if he's having a hard time just "getting into" the walks, I wouldn't worry about his walking properly so much at this point. Get him to walk along with you and enjoy it first. Then start fine tuning. One baby step at a time.

That's great about the class. I hope your trainer uses lots of encouragment, motivation/reward etc so your pup will learn to love learning. Best of luck!

 

[Gempress]

I agree with more training to stimulate him mentally. Also, does he have any toys he can play with indoors? All his pacing and digging makes it sound like he might be bored. Perhaps a chew toy or a kong? We give those to our boys, and they love to spend that energy chewing.

 

[Herschel]

Get him a find-a-squirrel, and start teaching him some tricks!

 

[vandynole]

I checked out that hide-a-squirrel toy. That would be perfect for him ... except he'd tear it to pieces in 10 minutes. I've had to stop buying him plush toys, even the most "indestructible" ones. Rope toys are also a lost cause.

I find that the only toys that consistently keep his attention (without getting destroyed) have some type of treat inside, like a stuffed Kong or filled bone. He'll occasionally chew his nylabone, but not for long.

If anyone has ideas for sturdy, highly interactive toys, please let me know. I'd rather use treats as a training reward than means to keep him occupied. Looks like we're going to the toy store this weekend!

 

[lastkid]

Have you tried feeding him with a Buster Cube or similar product? It'll give him some mental stimulation and keep him busy. Feeding like that is a bigger pain than putting food in a dish (3 minutes versus 30 seconds), but it provides a challenge and makes feeding more interesting. I've been feeding like this for years, and it really does make a difference, IMO.

 

[Doberluv]

Good ideas. I like that Lastkid. It would be fun too, to hide several of them or just hide treats around the house and let him find them. (hopefully mice and ants won't first) LOL. But yeah...it would give him something more to do.

 

[lastkid]

Hiding food is a great idea, Doberluv. We've hidden food in newspaper (ads, usually, so if Penny shreds it, it's no great loss), under a frisbee, behind her toys, etc, while she's not watching and then let her in to find all the little piles. We've also done a food game with Penny where we toss a couple of kibble at a time for her to go chase down and pounce on. For an Aussie, she looks a heck of a lot like a coyote pouncing on a mouse, LOL. I'll chuck a piece, she goes and gets it, then she has to come all the way back to me before I'll throw another one. Lots of sprinting with this game, which helps with any excess energy. I feel like a quasi-expert in making meal time last an hour instead of ten minutes, but it seems to help, and it's fun for everyone.

ETA: I can't remember if anyone's mentioned this or not, but have you tried teaching him a "settle" or "go lay down" command? Not a formal down-stay, but a "go to your spot and hang out there, please" kind of thing. I use "rug" or "crate", depending on what room I'm in and what equipment I've got in there (rug for kitchen, crate for living room, blanket for bedroom/office). At first, I would take her over to the spot and give her something to chew on - that encouraged her to lie down and stay on the rug for half an hour or so. Then I named the spot as we went over there. "Penny, let's go to the RUG!" and gave her something to chew. I've gradually phased out the chew for that specific spot, though she usually takes it over to her spot anyway, and she'll go over there and lie down if I say, "Penny, go to the rug." The rug (or crate or whatever) becomes a place to just lie down and not bug the owner.