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Thread: Over Excitement

  1. #1
    House Broken kaialeena's Avatar
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    Over Excitement

    I wasn't quite sure where to post this, so I hope I selected the correct section.

    Sierra gets too overexcited at times and I have to work on getting her to calm down. This usually happens when we go to do special things like visit the off leash beach, go to some dog festival, go to the dog pool day. She poops multiple times and vomits at least twice. Last weekend, she pooped 3 times before we even stepped into the sand and once we got to the sand, she did her zoomies and tried to poop a few more times. As I am picking up one, I see her run a few feet away and squat again to the point where nothing was even coming out after her 5th squat. Then after a couple ball tosses into the water, I sensed she was unwell and got bags ready because I knew she was going to vomit soon. Then after resting from her upset stomach, she was ready to go again and tried to poop again a couple more times.

    Yes, this is what happens every time. I make her sit and calm down near the car before we start walking to the beach and once we are on the sand, I make her sit and calm down again. It used to help a little (sort of), but this last time, she got so excited when I was driving and still 10 minutes out, she knew where we were headed and started gagging and had to breathe heavily from the overexcitement. It is like a kid upon learning that they are going to Disneyland.

    My question is, are there any suggestions of what I can do to help calm her down when she gets like this?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Couple suggestions.

    One would be to get her out more often so that these things are not so exciting.

    How old is she? It could be that she needs to mature as well as have more of these experiences.

    Does she get regular exercise and mental stimulation?

    You could teach her a relax cue, starting at home and then working your way outside, then driveway, then neighbor's driveway, then slowly trying it in new places. The goal being that she can lay calmly and sort of acclimate to the situation by looking, not being nuts, and then once she seems calm, let her go. They key is to start at home and slowly work your way to new places. Don't force it because you want to make it a good thing, so feed her or give her something to chew on.

    Have you tried an herbal relaxer like melatonin or rescue remedy?

  3. #3
    House Broken kaialeena's Avatar
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    We go out almost every day to the local park and she goes on a lot of car rides with me, but she only gets this way when it is a special event like a dog festival or the beach (which is sadly an almost 2 hour drive in each direction). She is 10 years old and before she came to live with me a few years ago, she was like this with my brother's family too. Any other situation, she doesn't get this way. She gets excited when she knows it is time to go for a walk or when it is time for a car ride, or the days I put her in doggy daycare, but when she senses a 'special' event, that is when it becomes too much for her.

    No, I haven't tried melatonin or rescue remedy. It is easy to get or do I need to consult with her vet?

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kaialeena View Post
    We go out almost every day to the local park and she goes on a lot of car rides with me, but she only gets this way when it is a special event like a dog festival or the beach (which is sadly an almost 2 hour drive in each direction). She is 10 years old and before she came to live with me a few years ago, she was like this with my brother's family too. Any other situation, she doesn't get this way. She gets excited when she knows it is time to go for a walk or when it is time for a car ride, or the days I put her in doggy daycare, but when she senses a 'special' event, that is when it becomes too much for her.

    No, I haven't tried melatonin or rescue remedy. It is easy to get or do I need to consult with her vet?
    Well, 10 years of practice and conditioned emotional response, that's gonna be a hard habit to break so I'd opt for management. She's not a danger to herself or others. Just make sure she is hydrated and not going to do anything so crazy that she becomes injured. You might consider keeping her leashed until she settles a bit, before you let her go. I would talk to your vet about melatonin, but rescue remedy is available at natural pet food stores and places like Whole Foods.

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    kaialeena (05-06-2017)

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    I have used Rescue Remedy on many dogs and it can be very helpful in situations like yours. Use the human remedy and give about 4-5 drops on the tongue about an hour before you leave. I have found that essential oils work well. I use them in my office with excited or nervous dogs. There is a remedy made by Young Living called Peace and Calming. It is made for humans so you need to dilute it. I usually add 4-5 drops of the remedy in a teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil. About an hour before you leave, place several drops of the diluted remedy in your hands and rub your hands together. Then pet your dog on the top of its head using both hands. This will not only apply the relaxing essential oil but it will also activate an acupuncture point on top of the head that is also a calming point. Works great. Good luck.

  7. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dennis Thomas, DVM For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (05-10-2017), kaialeena (05-09-2017), SunDance (05-10-2017)

 



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