My dog is driving me insane

[BurnsBurnsBurns]

4 years old. she’s literally driving me mad. I’ve had her since she was a puppy and she’s always been highly strung, unpredictable, obsessive and hyperactive but it’s not getting any better, infact in some ways it’s getting worse.

I get up at 5:30am and she’s immediately hyper, pacing around, whining, throwing stuff around … she wants food, she gets food. She wants to go out, she goes out … yet the whining and flying around continues. I don’t even get chance to wake up properly before it starts.

Her new obsession now is launching herself at the patio doors barking and growling - at birds probably but this is new behaviour, we’ve had the bastard doors since she came here so why now??! I can’t cope with more bad behaviours.

She’s also obsessed with eating shit - I mean literal shit, her own shit, other dog’s shit, cat shit, fox shit …

I just can’t relax. In the house I’m on tender hooks everytime I hear a noise as I know she’s going to go fucking beserk. I can’t sit in the garden as she goes loopy at anyone walking past the garden. Now I’m having to shut the blinds so she can’t see the birds otherwise she’s going to end up smashing through the windows.

I can’t take her anywhere as she’s incredibly reactive.l to everything. I’ve exhausted all training options and behaviourists.

I love her but she’s actually making me a bit depressed. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. A prisoner with no visitors as I can’t have anyone in the house because of her.

Not really posting for advice as believe me I’ve tried everything. Just wanted to rant really. Anyone else living a nightmare with their dog? Rehoming is not an option.

I know you said you didn't want advice but have you contacted a behaviourist?

My dog is now at an age when I love it when he plays up a bit as it is now cute (a few years ago it wasn't 😁).

Have you spoken to the vet about medication

Sorry OP just read back and you said you had tried behaviourists. Sorry I completely missed that.

Breath and Relax!

I know easier said than done! But your dog is picking up on your emotions.

In the house I’m on tender hooks everytime I hear a noise as I know she’s going to go fucking beserk

Your dog is as well! She thinks that there is something dangerous out there and needs to adress it asap!

I’ve exhausted all training options and behaviourists

Have you tried your local dog training club? Good citizen dog? Obedience? Dancing? Rally? Agility? ... not sure what they offer.

I find the weekly training gives you a chance to enjoy having a dog! You learn fun ways of interaction and will be with like minded people. Yes, your dog is reactivate but you will learn how to focus on each other while doing tricks/ tasks / exercises.

Have you tried an actual accredited behaviourist? Like a APBC member? E.g a clinical veterinary behaviourist at Lincoln University? You can claim on your insurance for accredited behaviourists. Also as above, medication may help in conjunction but only on advice of a specialist as above.

the term “trainer” or “behaviourist” is sadly not a protected title so anyone can call themselves one with no training or qualifications. Therefore the only way to be sure you’re getting appropriate advice is via an accredited scheme.

Sit and stays!!

I’ve found getting dogs to do sit and stays as the number 1 game changer especially for this type of reactive behaviour.

do It as much as you can. Everytime they move correct them as quick as possible with the least fuss / intervention as possible and build up their times to an hours sit and stay. Oh and different locations etc.

What breed of dog is she and how old?

Are you giving her food as soon as you come down because she's whining and pacing? And then are you letting her out because she's doing the same?

Maybe try coming down and completely ignoring her. Sit on the sofa and don't let her up and don't say anything to her, just block her from coming up. Wait until she is completely calm and then start getting up - as soon as she starts playing up don't say anything go back and sit down (or sometimes I find saying 'ah' as soon as the misbehaviour starts helps to show what you don't want - but nothing else just sit down.) Repeat this until she gets the message that her being hyper doesn't get what she wants but being calm does. Don't let her go flying out the doors, put her on a lead and only allow her to go out calmly, every time she tries charging go 'ah' and turn around and go back in. This all takes a lot of time, consistency and effort.

You say that you feel like a prisoner in your home but maybe she does too is she can never go anywhere and so is bored making up her own games with birds and things that move. Try getting her mentally tired out with games and things to mentally challenge her until she is calmer and more responsive to you and you can take her out.

What breed is she? Where did she come from? I also think you really need to take her to the vets and talk to them about this too.

Change her food. My spaniel was really hyper on Aatu - great quality high meat content. He's on Harrington's grain free lower meat content not as high nutrient. Made a big difference to the manic behaviour.

Much stricter routine. She's fed when the humans have eaten. Done this for years with my dog it really annoys me if anyone treats him. He knows to get excited when I've put the plates in the dishwasher. He's learned to wait nicely until then.

Also make her wait between putting the food down and eating it. She eats when you say. Mist dogs get this really quickly. My dog drools on the floor with excitement but I think he loves this game he can't get him bum on the floor fast enough!

I hear you OP. Dogs are hard work - some harder than others!

for you

When you are ready to tackle the issues again there will be a good trainer that can help you. Choose your battles and take it slow

I’m starting to wonder if there is something wrong with her eyes, she’s randomly springing to attention and barking as my other dog walks past the sofa as if she’s surprised to see him - this would explain the sudden lunging at the patio doors too?!

Have you tried a house lead? Mine is hyper and wants constant attention, but the house lead is working

It reads to me like she whines or behaves badly and you just do what she wants so she shuts up and stops.

And believe me, I get it - but long term all you're doing is teaching her that if she wants your attention, she needs to whine, or bark, or behave badly...

I know you don't want advice so I won't go into it further but I think it's worth thinking about how much you give in to her for an easy fix (to shut her up) and how that's impacting on her behaviour overall.

Have you spoken to the vet about a pain trial? Really common for an active dog to be struggling and it’s pain related.

Have you had her checked by a vet? Is she a spaniel or collie dog / or have one of these breeds in her? They often need lots of stimulation.
Some dogs become obsessive & display odd behaviour not because there's something wrong with them but because they are bored & are trying to entertain themselves. Also she might be anxious.
Also I'd just have her checked to make sure she doesn't have any obvious medical issues

What breed is she? Spaniel/collie or similar active type of dog?

How much exercise and training does she get?

I am sorry it's so tough for you, are you considering rejoining? Is she a popular breed?

House lead and training to 'do nothing'. Plus vet for health check and possibly meds if appropriate?

Could be shadows/reflections. This can be seen in dogs who are of a working breed.

What does the vet advise?