Dog Question

[Etter1]

#5440

I have two walker dogs and I love them both to death but my younger one (little over a year) is incredibly anxious. She circles a chair in the living room crying for hours. She has no idea what she wants to do. I open the door and she just barks at me. She barks CONSTANTLY. I’ve had her on three different medications for anxiety and none of them have helped much. I’m going to start dosing her with the shock collar to try and calm her down, but I hate to do that. The only other option we have, though, is me taking her for a drive and it will absolutely kill me if I have to do that.

I’ve never seen a dog like her. When she gets tired, she’s the sweetest dog in the world and my other walker is in love with her, but we are at our witt’s end and expecting to start trying for a baby before long so this can’t go on. I am looking for any options here.

And before it’s mentioned, exercize doesn’t affect her. I’ve ran her for many many hours in the mountains, taken her home and she sleeps for an hour and goes back to her craziness.

Please chime in, especially houndsmen.

[boutlou]

#40820

Etter1 wrote: I have two walker dogs and I love them both to death but my younger one (little over a year) is incredibly anxious. She circles a chair in the living room crying for hours. She has no idea what she wants to do. I open the door and she just barks at me. She barks CONSTANTLY. I’ve had her on three different medications for anxiety and none of them have helped much. I’m going to start dosing her with the shock collar to try and calm her down, but I hate to do that. The only other option we have, though, is me taking her for a drive and it will absolutely kill me if I have to do that.

I’ve never seen a dog like her. When she gets tired, she’s the sweetest dog in the world and my other walker is in love with her, but we are at our witt’s end and expecting to start trying for a baby before long so this can’t go on. I am looking for any options here.

And before it’s mentioned, exercize doesn’t affect her. I’ve ran her for many many hours in the mountains, taken her home and she sleeps for an hour and goes back to her craziness.

Please chime in, especially houndsmen.

I’m not a houndsman, but I do upland game with pointers. Questions;

Have you hunted her and if so, how did she behave?

If not, are you willing to wait and then wait to see if it’s all worth it? I’ve put up with a lot of garbage from a pointer who could nail a grouse 50 feet away.

If yes and it was medeochre, ask yourself, do I really want to put up with this? Your passion, I expect, is hunting, not spending your life babysitting a neurotic dog. May sound unfeeling, but I’d put her down and start again. I’ve done it, and somehow I feel it was better for both of us. Besides, breeding a dog with problems isn’t doing the overall breed any good. There’s a responsability associated to this.

[Don Thomas]

#40933

First suggestion: forget the e-collar. That will probably just make things worse. Second: listen to the first reply. Some dogs just won’t hunt and this is especially true of hounds. If you and your family are too attached to the dog to get rid of her, just accept the fact that she may not be a hunter. Don

[garydavis]

#40944

I’m in a similar situation with my young Plott. He’s a rescue dog around 1 1/2 years old and my older Kangal Dog loves him. Unfortunately, he has a very loud voice and he uses it way to much. Dutch [Plott pup] has calmed significantly in the 5 months I’ve had him. He learns everything very fast and shows promise in agility and nose work. I don’t plan to hunt over him.

I’ve only used a shock collar once a long time ago, and gave it away. I just think there has to be a better way and I think that way is operant conditioning or clicker training.

It is truly amazing what you can do with positive reinforcement. PM me and I’ll give you some contacts if you are interested. Good luck with your pup and just be glad she isn’t a Plott Hound (Grin)

Best,

Gary

[Col Mike]

#40948

Etter1

I don’t normally give dog advice-because it’s our business and our passion.And I only provide because you are thinking of killing her. Let me start with a few bullets.

–Stop all drugs.

–Never use shock collar for anything–it is the lazy mans way of not training but dominating.

— She is your responsibility, to kill her for a behavior problem is unthinkable.

–Breeding is probably not the problem or the issue, but socialization as a pup is.

Before you kill email at herdering@earthlink.net or call 301-746-7776.

-Final note– a complete blood work up will tell you if there are physiological issues.

–If not then you need to get in her mind and figure out what it means. Her barking is trying to tell you something–CAN you listen?

We have never given up on a dog (except for pathological reasons which a blood work up will show). Expensive yes–comes with dogs- and we have 18.

Semper Fi

Mike

[garydavis]

#41015

Colonel Mike’s got the right stuff. You might need some help with the getting in her head part. A couple of sessions with a good trainer could make a difference. The blood work can’t be over emphasized.

Gary

[Mark Turton]

#41333

Best dog I ever had was a complete pain about the house.

I agree with all of the above, shock collars have only one place and that’s on folks that think they are a training aid.

You say she is about a year old has she been in season, phantom pregnancy or has she had hormone injections to suppress a season, these can lead to anxiety.

Just googled Walker dogs as its not a breed I know but if their temperament is anything like the hounds I know they don’t do well indoors, they are happier as part of a pack. It maybe that the older dog should be more dominant and she just does not know where she fits into your pack.

Good luck, Mark.

[SUSAN]

#41396

The shock collar is not the answer for this dog, or any dog with this problem. It’s like slapping a kid for being afraid. Try putting a fairly snug neoprene vest on her– this works to calm down an anxious dog. PS sometimes the qualities that make a dog a good hunter make for a terrible house pet. Persistence becomes stubbornness, intensity and excitement become barking and anxiety. Personally, the day my dogs don’t get fired up (and often obnoxious) when I get out the bird vest is a day I dread…..

[Roger Norris]

#41467

My beagle (The World Famous Daisy The Wonder Beagle) does that sometimes.

Often it is just because she is bored. She needs to be run, she has to get some energy out of her system.

Other times it is during the change of seasons, especially the spring. New smells, and new sounds outside (like ice melting or frogs chirping) seem to get her anxious-acting….I think it is more curious than anxious, remember a hound is ruled by her nose.

Either way, for Daisy, a good walk or run cures it.

[Etter1]

#41704

Okay, I’ll give a little more info.

Both of my dogs, and I’ve had three walkers, are not hunters. I just love the breed and they are our house pets. They both get walked every day and we have a fenced in back yard where they play. Exercise is not the issue because even when I take her to my hunt club and run her for a few hours, she still acts the same way when we get home. She went into a very early heat and we spayed her nearly as soon as that was finished. She seemedd totally normal until that first heat. Afterwards, she never calmed down. I’ve worked with one trainer on her and talked to many people without much luck.

I think of her as a part of my family and I’m willing to do anything to help her. The only real reason that I could ever consider putting her down is bc I don’t feel as though she’s happy, when she just sits there shivering and crying for no apparent reason.

I had not heard of getting her blood work done, as my vet never reccommended it. I’ll schedule that right away.

[Etter1]

#41710

ps- I hadn’t thought of a hormonal imbalance. She is excessively muscled, even for a walker.

[skifrk]

#41942

If she is not a hunting dog that is fine but beside exercise in the yard have you done any mind games with her. Also when working with the trainer have they helped you teach her how to calm in the house. While I don’t have a walker I do have a working shepherd and I had to work with him to learn when to turn on his off switch so he settles in the house.

[Etter1]

#42018

skifrk wrote: If she is not a hunting dog that is fine but beside exercise in the yard have you done any mind games with her. Also when working with the trainer have they helped you teach her how to calm in the house. While I don’t have a walker I do have a working shepherd and I had to work with him to learn when to turn on his off switch so he settles in the house.

I’ve not heard of a way to do that with a hound dog. My previous ones just knew how to do it on their own. I am amazingly surprised today though. Someone reccommended the tight fitting shirt on here, and I put a training harness around her chest and cinched it tight. She immediately calmed. I was blown away. Tomorrow, I’m going to buy her a “thundershirt”

[William Warren]

#42092

I’m glad you found a solution. I understand the anxiousness it can produce in us when we know something is wrong but we can’t figure it out. We had a Jack Russell that had a multitude of problems through his 15 yr life but we stuck by him and got him every test we could afford to try to solve his problems as best we could. It wasn’t perfect but we are convinced his life was better than the alternative and there was no doubt that he loved us til the end. We miss him all the time. Thundershirts are based in NC I believe. Hope that works for your pup.

[Etter1]

#42099

Duncan wrote: I’m glad you found a solution. I understand the anxiousness it can produce in us when we know something is wrong but we can’t figure it out. We had a Jack Russell that had a multitude of problems through his 15 yr life but we stuck by him and got him every test we could afford to try to solve his problems as best we could. It wasn’t perfect but we are convinced his life was better than the alternative and there was no doubt that he loved us til the end. We miss him all the time. Thundershirts are based in NC I believe. Hope that works for your pup.

Thanks. My dogs are family to me. My first walker died of an enlarged heart at age two, in my arms. It was the worst day of my life. I was crippled when that happened. My second dog Magnolia, who was just a puppy at the time, I feel, saved my life. It has killed me to watch this dog be so unhappy, and at the same time, cause chaos in our home. With that harness on, she was instantly better. I would have never thought. I’m still going to get her blood drawn though, as I feel her hormones can’t be normal. She’s built like a pit bull.

I always said, if it came to it, I would rather take her out and put her down myself as I feel it would be a cop out to drop her off at the vet. I always have known, I could never do either. Love her.

[Etter1]

#42104

Here is a picture of my two viscious walker hounds that my wife took, while I was hunting last week. Problem child on right

[skifrk]

#42842

Some dogs because of genetics have harder time settling down when not needing to work. This is often what causes anxiety in a dog. You can do a search for books or videos where they have training techniques to help with this for the level of stress your dog has.

[Ralph]

#43052

Some people (because of genetics?) don’t seem to understand that their neighbors don’t like to hear their dog barking all the time. I wonder if they make a shock collar that shocks the owner every time the dog barks um……….:D:evil:

[Etter1]

#43068

R2 wrote: Some people (because of genetics?) don’t seem to understand that their neighbors don’t like to hear their dog barking all the time. I wonder if they make a shock collar that shocks the owner every time the dog barks um……….:D:evil:

I’ve never understood this. My dogs may tune up sometimes in the yard, but I never leave them out before nine am or after dark. My neighbors still complain. Same as the boat that was in my driveway for TWO DAYS. Living in the suburbs sucks. 90 percent of my neighbors are awesome but one in ten just love to complain and stick their nose in everywhere. It’s amazing too. I’ve gotten notes in the mailbox, emails from unknown senders, and phone calls, but nobody’s ever walked up to my door or stopped me to say anything in person. No testicles left in the world I guess. Now my poor dogs stay kennelled inside while I’m at work because I’m worried one of these pansies will do something crazy.

[Ralph]

#43087

Our dog is a pit and very well trained by a professional and by us with his coaching but by the nature of the beast we have somewhat more responsibilities than many other dog owners not only personal but legal responsibility also. Some dogs are proven guilty before innocence.

Diamond barks, something is stirring that needs not be around. She doesn’t bark just because she has a “barker:D”.

By the way, she doesn’t point arrows but she’ll mosey to where they’re at and look at me. Pit pointing? 🙄 She’s a great companion and friend.

Hope I don’t get tromped on here but I think archery ranges and functions are not the place for pets. For the safety and well being of all. I’ve seen some tempers flare over the issue before, even some pretty serious threats.

Anyway, good luck with the hyper dog.

[Etter1]

#43191

R2 wrote:

Our dog is a pit and very well trained by a professional and by us with his coaching but by the nature of the beast we have somewhat more responsibilities than many other dog owners not only personal but legal responsibility also. Some dogs are proven guilty before innocence.

Diamond barks, something is stirring that needs not be around. She doesn’t bark just because she has a “barker:D”.

By the way, she doesn’t point arrows but she’ll mosey to where they’re at and look at me. Pit pointing? 🙄 She’s a great companion and friend.

Hope I don’t get tromped on here but I think archery ranges and functions are not the place for pets. For the safety and well being of all. I’ve seen some tempers flare over the issue before, even some pretty serious threats.

Anyway, good luck with the hyper dog.

Beautiful Dog.:D

[Col Mike]

#43257

Etter1

Great posts. Trust the blood-work will be helpful.Let me tell a tail (pun intended).

16 years ago my wife rescued a wild dog on Okinawa after she dealt with shaving its coat, fleas, ticks, broken teeth, and the dog survived heart worm infestation with arsenic doses. She started the long road of socializing the Beast–named Wolf. For months it was tethered in the house, house trained,slept with in storms, hugged, ears held shut from the thunder-get the picture. I returned from deployment to watch the commanding general leap out of his car to pet wolf while Linda was walking him. I asked what was that about? He said “that is the luckiest creature on earth and I hope some of it rubs off.” Wolf was a pet for the next 8 years. Traveled all around the country when I retired, his ashes are still with us. Later we discovered he was a Japanese Akita. Great chick magnet when I would walk him in D.C.

But he could never be trusted around other dogs (except for a few surprises in Co.Springs) or strangers.

Constant awareness kept him safe and us out of court.

Point being–dogs are not just possessions they are family and some require more attention and lots of money. In the end you will cry when they die–as this ole Marine did.

Best of luck with your problem dog. And guess what you will get another or 18 of the demanding creatures as we have.

Ya gotta love it.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Etter1]

#43300

colmike wrote: Etter1

Great posts. Trust the blood-work will be helpful.Let me tell a tail (pun intended).

16 years ago my wife rescued a wild dog on Okinawa after she dealt with shaving its coat, fleas, ticks, broken teeth, and the dog survived heart worm infestation with arsenic doses. She started the long road of socializing the Beast–named Wolf. For months it was tethered in the house, house trained,slept with in storms, hugged, ears held shut from the thunder-get the picture. I returned from deployment to watch the commanding general leap out of his car to pet wolf while Linda was walking him. I asked what was that about? He said “that is the luckiest creature on earth and I hope some of it rubs off.” Wolf was a pet for the next 8 years. Traveled all around the country when I retired, his ashes are still with us. Later we discovered he was a Japanese Akita. Great chick magnet when I would walk him in D.C.

But he could never be trusted around other dogs (except for a few surprises in Co.Springs) or strangers.

Constant awareness kept him safe and us out of court.

Point being–dogs are not just possessions they are family and some require more attention and lots of money. In the end you will cry when they die–as this ole Marine did.

Best of luck with your problem dog. And guess what you will get another or 18 of the demanding creatures as we have.

Ya gotta love it.

Semper Fi

Mike

You might not have gotten it from my previous posts, but I love dogs more than almost every human I’ve ever met. I wouldn’t give up on this one either. We have just felt like we’d exhausted our resources. Apparently, I was wrong and I’m so glad to have been. She’s sleeping next to me on the couch right now. I’m so glad to finally see her happy. Blood work is ordered for next week

[vajd]

#46795

Glad things are getting better. My favorite dog is Henry a Treeing Walker, He’s 11 now and showing a lot more grey now.

He is one of the smarter dogs I have had and is a great coondog, he is bigger than I would choose about 100 lbs.

He was making a fuss tonight, wanting to go out (in the storm Sandy) after he came back in I figured out what he wanted, it was his nightly milkbone before bed. If he was younger I would teach him to blood trail deer for me as well as coonhunt.

[Etter1]

#47586

vajd wrote: Glad things are getting better. My favorite dog is Henry a Treeing Walker, He’s 11 now and showing a lot more grey now.

He is one of the smarter dogs I have had and is a great coondog, he is bigger than I would choose about 100 lbs.

He was making a fuss tonight, wanting to go out (in the storm Sandy) after he came back in I figured out what he wanted, it was his nightly milkbone before bed. If he was younger I would teach him to blood trail deer for me as well as coonhunt.

Beautiful. Looks like my 1st girl Tallulah. Miss her every day

[Etter1]

#58657

Blood tests normal. Thundershirt only worked for a few days. Scheduling a meeting with a canine behaviorist at uga.

[Ralph]

#58817

Hope that works for ya! Glad dog’s blood is good. Maybe some professional help will do the trick.

I spoke to my neighbor, about midnight thirty, one night about his dog that had been barking for hours and we live on the edge of town for the quiet, and that maybe something could be done? Sometimes being nice works. Dog is quiet, neighbor is still friend and I can sleep. I’m tellin’ ya tho, being nice was sooooo haaarrrddd that night. 🙁

[Etter1]

#58823

R2 wrote: Hope that works for ya! Glad dog’s blood is good. Maybe some professional help will do the trick.

I spoke to my neighbor, about midnight thirty, one night about his dog that had been barking for hours and we live on the edge of town for the quiet, and that maybe something could be done? Sometimes being nice works. Dog is quiet, neighbor is still friend and I can sleep. I’m tellin’ ya tho, being nice was sooooo haaarrrddd that night. 🙁

My dogs bark some during the day if I leave them out, but I don’t EVER leave them out past 8 o clock.

Glad it worked out for ya

[Author]

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