Why is my dog so hyper?

Hi, I’ve had my cocker spaniel since he was about seven weeks old and he has been consistently…hyper. It seems that he has boundless energy. He goes for long walks in the late afternoons and plays all night. However, he won’t calm down unless we put him in a crate. I hate having to put him away, but he never stops moving or destroying property (which he only does when we aren’t looking). I’m not sure what the issue could be. I haven’t gotten him altered because I got into an argument with his other parent about whether or not to do it (I’m in favor, he is not) and I’m thinking this is part of the problem. Is it normal for a cocker spaniel to be so hyper active? Thanks – T.T.

Dear T.T.,

Some of the most common behavioral reasons that people give for admitting their dogs to the Houston SPCA are related to the dog’s energy level. “Too much energy,” “too active for children,” “too active indoors,” are some of the reasons for admission. T.T., I hope that your question reaches some of the people who are considering bringing their pets to the shelter for these reasons, so that they can learn that there are so many things that can be done to change “hyperactive” dogs into agreeable household companions.

Calm a Hyper Dog 2

Is your dog high strung and hyperactive? A hyper dog can be difficult to deal with on a daily basis. Here are some tips for making your dog more tranquil.

Dogs have unique personalities just as humans do. Some dog breeds are docile and laid back while others are high strung with loads of excess energy and enthusiasm. If you happen to be the owner of a dog who gives new meaning to the term “hyper”, you may need tips on how to calm a dog so you can restore tranquility to your home.

When dealing with a hyper dog, the most important question to ask is, “Why is my dog hyper?” Some breeds naturally have more nervous energy. This is particularly true of dogs in the working class such as the German Shepherd and Border Collie. These breeds need a great deal of exercise and focused activity to help to expend their considerable energy reserves. Smaller dogs can exhibit the similar high energy traits. Most people who have owned a Chihuahua can attest to their predisposition towards nervousness. If you live with a naturally hyper dog, the most important thing is to make sure he gets enough exercise. This can be in the form of a brisk walk several times a day or a fast paced game of ball or frisbee. Regular exercise can work wonders not only for your dog’s health but also for his high strung disposition.

How to Calm a Hyper Dog

Having a hyper dog is a dog problem with many possible causes and solutions. Many hyper dog problems stem from boredom and a lack of stimulation. So in order to address the dog problem, you have to assess the way you are interacting with your dog and the kind of activity your dog gets on a daily basis.

Here are some simple techniques you can try at home to work to calm your hyperactive dog.

Ignore the hyper dog behavior.

Dogs seek attention from you. By paying attention to the hyper dog during outbursts, you’re reinforcing the very dog problem behavior that you're trying to eliminate. The next time your dog is jumping or nipping at you in an overexcited way, give it a try -- no touch, no talk, no eye contact -- and see how you fare. You might be surprised how quickly the dog settles down.

Give your dog a job.

10 ways to help your hyper dog relax

My mutt has a few issues with acting overly excited.

He cries in the car. He is obsessed with his tennis ball. He whines if we’re visiting someone’s house and he’s feeling nervous. If we visit his favorite parks, he drools excessively and starts looking for a stick immediately. If we visit my parents, all his training seems to be forgotten as he pushes through the door knocking people out of his way.

This is not normal dog behavior and needs to be corrected. And unfortunately, this probably sounds like normal behavior to a lot of people because so many of our dogs act like this. Here are some things I’ve done or plan on starting with my dog to help him chill out. I hope you give some of these a try, too.
1. Walk my dog.
I’ve said it many times, but walking my dog is so important. I notice a huge difference in Ace’s energy levels if he’s had a walk. He is a different dog, depending on if he’s been cooped up or if he’s been able to run. I know it’s not an excuse for a dog to misbehave just because she hasn’t had enough exercise. But the less pent-up energy a dog has, the easier it will be to train her and encourage good behavior.

2. Before heading out the door, make sure your dog is calm.

Tips for the First 30 Days of Dog Adoption

The first few days in your home are special and critical for a pet. Your new dog will be confused about where he is and what to expect from you. Setting up some clear structure with your family for your dog will be paramount in making as smooth a transition as possible.

Before You Bring Your Dog Home:

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Determine where your dog will be spending most of his time. Because he will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment (from shelter or foster home to your house), he may forget any housebreaking (if any) he’s learned. Often a kitchen will work best for easy clean-up.
If you plan on crate training your dog, be sure to have a crate set-up and ready to go for when you bring your new dog home. Find out more about crate training your dog.

Dog-proof the area where your pooch will spend most of his time during the first few months. This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards; storing household chemicals on high shelves; removing plants, rugs, and breakables; setting up the crate, and installing baby gates.

Dogs in Hot Weather

During hot weather care should be taken with ALL dogs. Always have fresh water available. Always make sure they have shelter and shade to stay in. Never leave your dog in a car. Many people still think it is ok to leave their dog in a car if they leave the window down, DO NOT do this. Your dog could still quickly over heat and this could be fatal. There are still so many cases of dogs being found dead in over heated cars, here at dogs.info we want to stress dont leave your dog in a car! Even if you have a window down it is not enough to keep a car cool. Even if you leave water in the car it is not enough to cool your dog! If you park in the shade the car will still over heat, and as the sun moves the car may no longer be in the shade on your return. Even if your only going to be a few minutes out of your car, dont leave them, temperatures can soar very quickly.Be safe and dont take the risk!

Brachycephalic dogs

All dogs with “flat faced” nose and head structure are technically called “brachycephalic”. Dogs with this structure feel the effects of warm surroundings and exertion sooner than dogs with more typical nose and head structure. Brachycephalic dogs include: British bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs, pekingnese, and boston terriers amongst others.

How to Choose a Puppy

The dog has always been called the man's best friend. The two have lived and worked together for thousands of years. In lots of ways, dogs are like people-they enjoy company, they can communicate how they feel and they love to play too. So it's no wonder that you would want to adopt a puppy! A puppy can be lots of fun, but caring for one means taking responsibility. you will have to look after this animal for a long time - it cannot take care of itself. Remember, puppies grow into dogs and some dogs live to 15 years or over. There are several questions you need to ponder on before even getting one!

1 Make sure that your home fits the dog's personality. Do you have enough space in your house? A big, loud dog in a small house could drive everyone crazy. Do you have a backyard? Puppies have lots of energy, and they need space to exercise. Having a backyard also allows you to train your puppy to urinate outside.

2 Ensure that you have enough resources. Do you have time to care for your puppy? A new puppy needs lots of care and training for the first few months of it's life. It will always need at least one good walk every day. Do you have a stable financial status? Know that keeping a dog is not cheap, equipment, food and vets fees can cost a lot.

Dogs Understand Intimacy

Children and the elderly are the two populations most likely to be seriously injured by dog bites. Children are frequent victims because they lack both impulse control and dog savvy. Since much of my business is family dog training, a large part of my responsibility as a dog behavior professional is to teach parents how they can help their children live safely with dogs and teach children appropriate dog skills. I also try to teach people about how to understand their dogs, what dogs like, what they don't like, and how they use body language to communicate these feelings and preferences with us.

Hugs are a frequent cause of dog bites to children - most dogs don't like hugging. Dogs just aren't a "hugging" species; they don't crave ventral contact like we primates do. When I tell this to my clients, they often respond with expressions of disbelief, and occasionally, indignance. "But my dog loves being hugged!" Frequently, when we watch the dog, his body language tells a different story - we see body language which includes "whale eye" (seeing much of the whites of the dog's eyes), looking away, lip licking, yawning, pulling away from the handler. If a dog decides he doesn't like being hugged, his teeth are at face level; this is why many bites to children involve facial disfigurement.

There are lots of items on the "List of Things Human Think Dogs Like That Dogs Actually Usually Don't Like One Bit. Hugging, kissing, direct eye contact, pats on the head, and close facial proximity in general are but a few.

Do Our Pets Really Love Us?

In the English language, we have just one wordto describe the different types of love. Theancient Greeks were a bit smarter in this respect;they used different words to describe the love fora spouse, a sibling, a parent or a friend.

You have to wonder which word they used todescribe the love between pets and people. Weknow how we feel towards our pets, but do theyexperience the same emotions toward us? Or isthe bond simply a mixture of instinct, dependence and social role?

In short, do our pets really "love" us, as we understand it? In a word,

the answer is yes, according to clinical evidence. Food does play alarge role in feelings of affection between pet and owner. But dog doesnot live by biscuit alone – and neither does a cat's affection dependsolely on treats. The mere presence and/or touch of a preferred personhas been shown to reduce the heart rate of these animals – a sign ofbonding. (The same is true with horses.)

16 Common Dog Myths

Not sure what to believe when it comes to the health of your dog? Well, look no further! Petplace.com helps to put a muzzle on the myth.

1. Dogs should have a litter before they are spayed.

This is not true. Dogs that have a litter before they are spayed are not better for it in any way. In fact, spayed dogs are at lower risk for breast cancer and uterine infections.

2. Dogs are sick when their noses are warm.

The temperature of a dogs nose does not indicate health or illness or if they have a fever. There is an "old wives tale" that cold wet noses indicate health. And Warm or dry noses indicate a fever or illness. The only accurate method to access a dog's temperature is to take it with a thermometer. Normal dog temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F.

3. Mutts are always healthier than purebred dogs.

This is not true. Both mutts and purebred dogs can be unhealthy. Both can have diseases, however, mutts generally do not have many of the genetic diseases common in purebred lines.

4. All dogs like to be petted on their heads.

Some dogs do like to be petted on their heads but many do NOT.

Who Rules? Dogs and Cats: Learning to Get Along

Are your dogs and cats fighting like...well...cats and dogs? Cats and dogs are two very different species, each evolved for different purposes and each with a unique place in their relationship with humankind.

Dogs, from Wolf to Woof

Canis familiaris. The name says it all - familiaris - Man's Best Friend. Archaeological evidence points to the fact that dogs evolved in the company of man as a social species. They shared the same habitat and hunted the same prey. Whether man adopted orphaned wolf cubs or wild dogs chose to stay close to human settlements to take advantage of the "leftovers," modern dogs are the result of their ancestors' ability to accept food and eat in the presence of humans. The consequent close ties between people and their pups are the result of the commonalities between them.

Cats, from Myeo to Meow

Felis catus. Egyptologists suggest Egyptians were domesticating African wildcats as early as 3,500 BC. These tamed cats were called myeo ormau. However, some archaeologists place the date at ~6,000 BC. Whenever it happened, it seems to be a result of the cat following the rodents, snakes and other pests that gathered around civilization where man was stockpiling food supplies. Initially cats were tolerated by humans because they killed these pests, and although full domestication and companionship status followed, domestic cats have an entirely different outlook on their relationship with people than dogs.

Care of Mother Dogs and Puppies

This information leaflet is provided as a method of communication between veterinarians and clients whose dogs are about to give birth. It is designed to explain the signs of labor, normal birth process and follow-up care of the mother and her puppies. Your role in preparing for and assisting in the birth is discussed along with problems which require special and/or emergency veterinary care. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your veterinarian to answer them for you.

Preparing for Birth

A couple of weeks before your dog gives birth (whelping), supply the expectant mother with a box for her to have her pups in. The box must be large enough for the mother to stretch out in and allow enough room for a brood of new puppies. The mother dog should be able to enter and leave the box easily. Make sure the sides of the box are several inches high in order to keep the puppies in, box dry, and chilly drafts out. Place the whelping box in a warm area which is free from distractions but familiar to the mother dog. She needs a quiet and secure place to rest.

How Long Does A Dog Stay In Heat?

So, you’ve got yourself the cute puppy that you and your family have been yearning for. The kids love her … and they are actually helping out!

She’s a beautiful female, the most adorable thing in the world.

Then, last night, you recall that the neighbor down the road had one of those “nightmare” problems — her pet had an unwanted pregnancy. And you wonder, “how long does a dog stay in heat?”.

Well, the short answer is: about two and a half weeks.

Basics of the Estrous Cycle

How to Stop a Heat Cycle in Dogs?

Several people have asked me recently, if it is possible to stop a heat in dog. They were unpleasant with the whole situation when the dog must not be let alone in the yard, had to be guarded, and were restless most of the time.

To answer short, Yes, there is a method to stop a heat cycle in dogs.

However, owners who seek a relief for their misery may be left disappointed, because you will still need to protect your dog. Protective period will be shorter, but it will not disappear at all. If someone wants to escape from caring for a dog in heat, using medications is not the best option. But it’s your choice.

How the heat cycle postponement work in dogs?

Heat cycle in dogs can be halted by using megestrol acetate (commercial name: Ovaban).

Estrus Cycles in Dogs

When does a female dog have her first estrus cycle?

Dogs will have their first estrus cycle when they reach puberty. Estrus is the stage of the reproductive cycle in which the dog can become pregnant; sometimes a dog that is in estrus is said to be "in heat" or "in season". On average, puberty or sexual maturity is reached at about 6 months of age, but this can vary by breed. The smaller breeds of dogs tend to have their first estrus cycle at an earlier age, while the large and giant breeds of dogs may not come into heat for the first time until they reach eighteen months to two years of age.

Estrus is the stage of the reproductive cycle in which the dog can become pregnant.

How often does a female dog come into heat?

Most dogs come into heat twice per year, or about every six months, although the interval can vary between breeds, and from dog to dog. Small breed dogs may cycle three times per year, while giant breed dogs may only cycle once every 12-18 months. When young dogs first begin to cycle, it is normal for their cycles to be somewhat irregular. It can take up to 2 years for a female dog to develop regular cycles. There is no season of the year which corresponds to a breeding season for domesticated dogs.

How long does estrus last?

At what age can a dog get pregnant?

Once you have decided to bring a puppy home you have lot of things to consider is to ensure that your dog has a happy and comfortable life. One such thing that you need to ponder upon is whether you would want your dog to have puppies of her own.

Ideally speaking, dogs should be spayed as early as possible to reduce the risk of certain cancers and uterine infections later in life. So, the decision of whether you would want your dog to be allowed to breed or not should be taken as early as possible.

Some basics while thinking of breeding

Uncontrolled breeding can lead to birth of puppies that you may not be able to find homes to accommodate. This can lead to them ending up as strays increasing the population of such dogs on the streets or you will have humanely euthanize the puppies. Which really is not a pleasent feeling. Would you want the litter from your dogs to end up like that? Make certain that all the puppies have good homes to go to before breeding takes place.

People Food for Puppies

We love our puppies so much, it’s fun to indulge them with puppy treats but is people food for puppies a good idea? This year as the scent of roast turkey, baked ham, chocolate brownies and all manner of goodies fill the air, beware of “treating” them with dangerous tidbits. Take steps to prevent them from treating themselves!

Some midnight marauders countertop surf to reach forbidden goodies, or figure out how to pry open the refrigerator when the temptation becomes too much to ignore. Take steps now to puppy proof the kitchen paying special attention to garbage containers and access to counters.

Why Puppies Love Treats

For dogs, eating can be a communal event. And hand feeding your puppy helps reinforce the bond of love you share. Puppies often beg for attention and get rewarded with treats, so the two become inseparable. There’s nothing wrong with treating puppies in a healthy way, but it’s easy to go too far. A fat puppy may be cute but isn’t healthy, and can lead to obese adults that live shorter lives. Keeping your puppy lean as he grows into an adult dog can actually add up to two years of longer life!

Basic Feeding Guide: Puppies and Adult Dogs

The first ingredient in your dog's food should be a specified meat. Not a meat by-product, but the real thing. Puppies and adult dogs were not meant to eat corn and wheat. If the first ingredient in your dog food is a corn, wheat, meat by-product, bone meal or anything but a real specified type of meat, steer clear. By-products are the leftovers, such as the eyes, hooves, skin, feathers and feet, that are not good for human consumption (unless the dog food specifically states otherwise.) Beware of ingredients that do not list exactly what it is, such as words like "animal" and "meat" as opposed to "chicken," "beef," "duck," etc. See 

The first ingredient on the label should represent what the dog food is most made out of, but beware, as this is not always the case...

Using chicken as an example, when a dog food lists a meat in the ingredients such as "chicken" it is going by the weight in the meat’s raw state, before it was cooked.

Feeding Puppies: What, When, How

Puppyhood is a time of rapid growth and development. Puppies require different levels of nutrients than do older dogs. Because of their special nutritional needs, your puppy should only receive puppy food for the first year (giant breeds, several months longer). Many dog food manufacturers offer a special formula for puppies and sometimes, large breed puppies, for whom the protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels may be more critical.

Feeding the first few days

For the first few days you have your new puppy home, it is a good idea to continue feeding the same type and brand of puppy food and use the same feeding schedule the puppy was on before he came to you. Then you can slowly start using the food you have chosen based on information you received from the breeder and veterinarian. A pet needs to be switched to a new food slowly to prevent intestinal upset. By 'slowly' we mean over the course of 7-10 days go from feeding 100% of the previous food to 100% of the new food. For example, make a mixture that contains 25% of the new food and 75% of the old food and feed that for several days. Then make it 50-50 for several days, then 75% new food to 25% old food for several days. Then you can start feeding 100% new food. If at any time your puppy starts vomiting, or has loose stools or appears constipated, slow the rate at which you are switching him over.

Puppy Feeding Top Tips

Puppy Diet

Puppies grow 20 times faster than adult dogs and so require a special diet to aid their physical development. A specially formulated growth food is recommended which needs to be fed at evenly spaced intervals to avoid over stretching their small stomachs. A responsible breeder will have given you advice about your puppy’s diet.

Feed your puppy four meals a day up until the age of four months, and then reduce its feed to three meals a day until it is six months old, when you can change to two meals a day, and keep it on this regime for the rest of its life.

It is better not to leave food down (so throw away any uneaten food after 20 minutes) and not to give your puppy any variety, which could cause havoc with its digestion and toilet training regime. However, make sure that water is always available to your puppy, so never take its water bowl away.