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Calming treatment for dog

  • 12-09-2012 3:21pm
    #1
    Blissy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭


    Wondering if anyone could recommend something to help calm down our family dog. He is is a fairly active breed and is walked and exercised regularly. He is usually good on the lead but the issue is if we take him to a new area, especially a woods/forest, he becomes impossible to control. We travel a lot and the problem is coming to a stage where we are considering leaving him at home. We have a harness and an extendable lead. We don't want to use a control muzzle on him so we would like recommendations on something like a calming spray, supplement etc.


Comments

  • #2
    fatmammycat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    Blissy wrote: »
    Wondering if anyone could recommend something to help calm down our family dog. He is is a fairly active breed and is walked and exercised regularly. He is usually good on the lead but the issue is if we take him to a new area, especially a woods/forest, he becomes impossible to control. We travel a lot and the problem is coming to a stage where we are considering leaving him at home. We have a harness and an extendable lead. We don't want to use a control muzzle on him so we would like recommendations on something like a calming spray, supplement etc.

    I don't think that will help, this is more of a training issue. When you say difficult to control do you mean pulling on lead?


  • #3
    sambuka41
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭sambuka41


    I think you really need to address the behaviour rather than looking for something else. Once that's sorted life is easier, you won't have to go around looking for sprays or tablets. :D

    I have used calming tablets (both over counter and vet prescribed) for my dog, and I can tell you neither would fix the problem you have mentioned. My dog was full of energy still, just not as anxious.I still had to sort her obedience. Really addressing the obedience is your only option.


  • #4
    ISDW
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    Extendable leads give you absolutely no control whatsoever, so I would suggest just walking him on a normal lead so that you can keep him close by.


  • #5
    andreac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,000 ✭✭✭andreac


    As ISDW, extendable leads are not good for control at all and harnesses only encourage a dog to pull, so its two of the worst things you could use on your dog in these situations.

    There are plenty of good head collars, front harnesses which help with the pulling.
    The Dogmatic is great and i use them on my rotties.


  • #6
    cocker5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭cocker5


    andreac wrote: »
    As ISDW, extendable leads are not good for control at all and harnesses only encourage a dog to pull, so its two of the worst things you could use on your dog in these situations.

    There are plenty of good head collars, front harnesses which help with the pulling.
    The Dogmatic is great and i use them on my rotties.

    + one.... i use the dogmatic on my spaniel he is a demon for pulling its works a treat :D

    http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/


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  • #7
    RubyGirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭RubyGirl


    Would it be the food he's on, what are you feeding him?


  • #8
    Blissy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭Blissy


    Yes the problem is he pulls on the lead. Its only in certain situations, he's fine when he is in areas he is use to but when he goes to new territories he gets so overexcited. So how do I work on training for this? He is getting old so I'm wondering is it too late to work on training. I've thought about something like the dogmatic, they just seem a bit harsh and I know he wouldn't appreciate it :rolleyes: but if everyone thinks they are the best option I guess I'll give one a try.


  • #9
    ISDW
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    How long does his overexcitement last?

    I walk my dogs on a walking belt and bungee leads, they tend to be excited at the start of a walk, but then settle down, with the bungee section on the lead, it means when they pull it doesn't damage their joints, or mine :) I used to get most of my stuff from countryhounds, they do still exist, but are now in the UK, the old web address will probably redirect you - www.countryhounds.ie There are also other companies that do the belts and leads - Kissi, SASS, culpeppers, snowpawstore, Willows Leads are on facebook, just one woman making collars and leads, she does walking harnesses, and leads to any length you want, but not bungees. Trailbaby in Scotland will make bungee leads in whatever colour you want. If you can't find any of the details, just let me know and I'll get you the websites, I'm on a dongle at the moment, and can't have more than one window open at a time :(


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