my dog is driving me insane!!!!!!

@vikkiz (518)
October 20, 2009 2:22pm CST
Hi all I will repeat the title again My dog is driving me absoluly insane!!!! Its getting to the point wheres she heading to the cat and dog shelter and that is something i would never ever want to do!!! As a puppy she was terrible and even the vet said we would have hard work on our hands!, Shes now 8 months old and shes toilet trained, and the biting is down to a minimum....Its the attention seeking!!! She wants attention 24/7, unlike most dogs she cant lie down on her own she has to be with someone otherwise she looks like she going to die! She wont sit on the floor even though we make her (even my fussy cat sits on the floor)! Shes been to training and even the trainers are at a loss so is the vet!, I am at a loss as to what to do with her??? if a vet or a proffesional trainer cant help her what chance do i stand ive had dogs all my life and none have compared to this!, I fear that if i cant get it sorted soon i will have to take her to the shelter and that would be a horrid thing to do so near to christmas! Is there an equivilant to dog ADHD or something?? I NEED HELP!!!!
1 person likes this
6 responses
• Philippines
12 Nov 09
Well, if your dog continues to drive you insane, and you already did everything you can for her and she hasn't improved even a bit yet , maybe you need to give her up then. I think it's not your fault anymore...
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@vikkiz (518)
15 Nov 09
Yeah i think thats the direction we are going in, i would just feel so bad and guilty as i think she may be put down as she wont be able to find a new home. Most the people who live in my area only want staffys to look big and hard and i would never let her go to some knuckle headed idiot that would turn her into a weapon!!!, Like i say even though shes a total nightmare she doesnt have a violent bone in her. shes daft as a brush!
@hvedra (1619)
23 Oct 09
You might also want to look at her diet. Some dog foods have too many additives and those can make a dog hyper. We have a border collie (not the most placid breed to start with!) and have to be careful what food we give because some make the dog totally hyper and impossible to control.
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@vikkiz (518)
15 Nov 09
Yes i did take that into consideration as the vet discussed this with me, i changed her food months ago to the stuff the vets sell at a very expensive rate!!! its all one colour and has no additives in it??? Im still at a loss!
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@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
20 Oct 09
Have you discussed medicating the dog with your vet? There are mild sedatives for dogs that can reduce hyperactivity and anxiety. "Its the attention seeking!!! She wants attention 24/7, unlike most dogs she cant lie down on her own she has to be with someone otherwise she looks like she going to die!" It sound like a constant "panic attack". She is afraid either that she will be left OR that if she is alone something bad will happen to her. If you can reduce the anxiety through medication; you can start to work with her on the training issues (sitting on the floor, etc). "Is there an equivilant to dog ADHD or something??" - yes, these are all caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and even a dog's brain can become unbalanced chemically. Many vets do not like to discuss medicating an otherwise healthy animal; but, just as a dog with asthma, allergies, or diabetes needs medication so does an animal with this type of disorder. (I do hope you have had your dog spayed because these problems can be genetic and passed on to future generations.)
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
21 Oct 09
No idea what the cost would be; but, if you talk to the vet they may be able to give you a discount. Also, if you just take her to the shelter; IF she is adopted, whoever gets her will just be starting over trying to find a solution for her and she may end up being bounced from one home to another or just be "put to sleep" as unadoptable.
@vikkiz (518)
20 Oct 09
Hmmmmm i didnt know that, Mabe wirth a look but if this is going to cost me a lot of money then it wont be happening, I know that might be selfish but after all the expense shes already cost me in vaccinations, trainers, check ups due to her behaviour the bill is excedeing more than £2,000 ($3686) I ma not willing to spend anymore money on trying to curb the problem, My son hasnt even had that much spent on him!, I mean shes also on a special diet to cut out E numbers etc etc and for one months food its costing me over £50 ($73). I also have a housecat who is perfect and causes no trouble at all, he even puts up with the dog chasing him around all the time, and his food only cost me £4 ($7) per month....big difference. seems that it may come to a point where she has to be rehomed and that was something i really didnt want to do. thanks for your advice
@vikkiz (518)
21 Oct 09
Yes that might be what she is, ill tell you about todays events! I got up, ilet the dog out, the dog refuses to go to the toilet because it is raining. I let her in and put her in her crate (like the vet said), 5 minutes pass and i let her out again she refuses, A further 3 more times and shes gone to the toilet. She then whines and whines and whines, And more whining, and more whining. playtime, ropetime dinnertime!, she eats all her dinner. walkies, she is overly excited with every dog she sees and some of the dogs bit her. No more off the lead incase she gets hurt. (funny isnt it how she refuses to go to the toilet when its raining, but if i get her lead........) back in the house and guess what whining, whining, whining I let her out back again to go to the toilet, another 3 times and i give up ''she doesnt need the toilet'' 5 mins later big pile of poop on my utility floor! Back in her crate again!
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Nov 09
You don't say what kind of dog she is. If she is a big dog she may not have enough exercise. Get a laser light and let her run after it up and down the stairs (if you have stairs!) or around in circles or back and forth between rooms. Take her for a run until she's worn out. I have a needy dog, too. You mentioned ADHD and I'm sure there are some dogs that have something like that! Gus needs something to do nearly all the time, which makes it very hard for me to do my writing work. My answer was bully sticks. They are a long lasting chew that is completely natural and very satisfying to both my dogs. I'm a regular customer! They keep Gus and Cookie busy and my sanity intact. You should try them! If all else fails, ask about giving her some St John's Wort or a natural herbal calming agent. Maybe change her food, some of the chemicals and preservatives in commercial dog food are toxic to certain dogs and upset their systems to produce symptoms like your dog's.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
17 Nov 09
Those are such sweet dogs! They sure get a bad rap, though. St John's Wort is what a friend of mine gave his Lab when it got so hyper and just couldn't be satisfied no matter what he did. After a few weeks on it--a very small dose, half a tablet--the dog calmed down and was fine. Never did find out what the trouble was! Ask your vet, also about other possible herbal treatments.
@vikkiz (518)
17 Nov 09
Hmmmm i may have to check that out then!! can you give me details of where you can get them?? Asif you can only get them in the us i may have to get them shipped in thanks again!
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@vikkiz (518)
16 Nov 09
Shes a staffordshire bull terrier, yes she gets plenty of exersise thats why the vet was confused, at 4 months old she was having 2 hour walks and was still hyper active when she came home?? Yes we have changed her food when she was 4 months after speaking to the vet and she is on the most natural food you can get now!! It doesnt matter what chew stick you give her even the most toughest ones are in bits after 10mins and its the same with all the toys we get her, they only last one day!!! Can you give a dog st johns wort?? how does that help etc??? ive never heard of giving this to a dog before any info would be great.
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@cream97 (29087)
• United States
13 Mar 10
Hi, vikkiz. I have never had a dog that acted this way. The best thing that you should do is to just give your dog attention and love. Show her the attention that she so desires. Let her get out and roam some so that she will miss you and will want to come back home to you.
• United States
20 Oct 09
hi vikkiz,from what i've heard about others with the same problem is that you have to be strong and ignore your attention seeking dog. then when he calms down reward him with some attention. the point is to let him know that he can't have your attention ALL the time. there are a lot of dogs like that and all young puppies are like that. it's not easy but it guess it's tough love???
@vikkiz (518)
20 Oct 09
true, I woek and so does my partner but at different times so someone is here most of the time, If she is left alone for even 5 mins she will distruct something, If its raining she wont go to the toilet and will do it inside even though she knows its bad! on top of that ive lost count of the amount of times shes dug a hole under the fence to run away! she only goes about 3 back gardens away, but this is what i mean you have to watch her 24/7 either that or she has to be put in her crate and i feel cruel putting her in her crate all the time! Its worse than looking after a baby!! I have a 4 year old aswell and at the mo im having to lock the dog in her crate just to get a bit of ''us time'' with my son!
• United States
20 Oct 09
by all means put your son first. maybe your dog needs another dog??? OR maybe he'd be better on a farm??? you have a tough situation for sure and i sympathize with you. not easy at all. maybe the dog will get better with time or maybe the dog would be better with someone without kids. maybe an elderly person living alone? or on a farm where there's other animals? what ever you do don't blame yourself. you've done all that anyone can do and it's not right that a troublesome dog should own you. if you chose to find another home or get rid of him don't blame yourself. you given all the love that you can and the dog isn't responding. you need to do what's best for you. wish you the best.
• United States
20 Oct 09
i've heard that dogs are happiest when they have rules. and as with a child you need to be firm with them. i know it's not easy for it's for their own good and yours. you have to show them who the leader is. they respect that. best wishes.