Posted on 03/04/2016 6:51:46 AM PST by US Navy Vet
...we/I have a German Shorthair Pointer(about 1 Year Old) and this dog is SPAZZ/Psyco/bundle of NERVES, Any ideas on how to settle her down?
Make her watch a debate.
Plenty of exercise to burn off nervous energy
Na that will just wind her up more.
“Plenty of exercise to burn off nervous energy”
This.
A few walks a day. Play time. Roughhousing.
I have a 3 yr old Dalmatian but a German Shorthair owner is always in the dog run with me. I thought my dog had a lot of energy! He said it needs a lot of exercise. I run with my dog also. Anyway, exercise seems to be the cure for your dog.
Agreed. Exercise is essential. Obedience/trick training to encourage focus. A daily routine of scheduled activities also encourages calmness, inspires confidence.
I have high energy Yorkies. Helps them to know when to expect outings, walks, play time, relaxing time.
For nerves, try a Thundershirt and DAP calming diffuser. They don’t cure, but can help.
Dogs that were bred to do a job are high energy precisely so they can do that job for hours at a time. Also, the lack of a job does get on a gundog’s nerves. Even if they’ve never been trained to hunt, their genes tell them they need to be doing their job.
“One of the most energetic breeds, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a hunting dog by nature. Protective, clever, eager and willing to please, it is very fond of its human family. Happy-go-lucky, it loves nothing more than to engage in some type of constructive activity with its owners such as a long walk, jog, hike, hunt, or a game of Frisbee. This breed is not suited to life in a kennel. Faithful, spirited and friendly, it likes and mixes well with children. Dominancy and energy levels vary slightly from puppy to puppy even within the same litter, however those bred for working in high-performance field competitions usually require more activity than the average Shorthair, but are all still very high energy dogs who need a lot of daily exercise. Best suited for an active family. When they lack in exercise they can become high strung and frustrated. The GSP will not listen if it senses that it is stronger minded than its owner, however it will also not respond well to harsh discipline. The GSP needs an owner who displays a natural air of authority providing firm, but calm, confident and consistent with rules it must be made to follow. The GSP crave order and need structure in its life. If this breed lacks in either exercise or leadership it can develop separation anxiety and possibly become destructive and nervous.”
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/germanshorthairedpointer.htm
Also dogs need a lot of attention, especially young dogs. If this dog is alone a lot that will cause behavior problems.
That said make sure you don't have any nutritional deficiencies. Iodine deficiency is a random cause of nervousness.
After all of the above are fixed and if you still have the problem try melatonin tabs 3mg once a day. Melatonin calms dogs to a degree.
Time, all it takes is time and patience. I have a red heeler, and the first year was insane. I took to sitting outside every day of the year. I moved my recliner out under cover, a television and my radio. Throwing the ball, and requiring a controlled chase and retrieve. Altering the game, making a bed outside and turning the deck into a monster sized dog playpen turned him into a controlled ball of energy. He had so much room that he will not leave the yard without permission. He still plays hard at age 5 but in one hour increments, plus a morning and evening stroll of at least 30 minutes a whack. I am now in the process of getting a trailer for my bicycle, he tires too easily for long bike trips. Now if I can only teach him how to peddle.
LOTS of exercise. Just that simple.
When my daughter’s Ridgeback was younger he jogged several miles every day with her.
Her Pit mix is staying with me for a couple of weeks while the Ridgie is recovering from surgery & I walk her a couple miles every morning. Makes a huge difference. For both of us... / grin
So you say let the dog watch debates on TV? I think Navy Vet was making a joke.
Yep let her watch the debates!....I hit reply to the wrong post.
Research dogs laughing. Psychology Today. Apply carefully. Rinse. Repeat.
1. Exercise
2. Thundershirt
3. Attention—lots of little treats and take the dog with you almost everywhere, talk to the dog.
Another blurb from the same site:
“Exercise is of paramount importance for these tireless, energetic animals [German Shorthair Pointers]. They are more than a match for even the most active family and they should not be taken on as family pets unless they can be guaranteed plenty of vigorous exercise. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. If under-exercised, this breed can become restless and destructive.”
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