Quote:
|
Originally Posted by kp_23 Nala hasn't quite grasped the concept of "NO". When she is just playing around she does fine, but when she gets really wired up it's like your speaking spanish,lol. She will jump and jump trying to get to your fingers and it kinda scares me b/c she jumps so high then just falls. She is very very presentant(spell) I want to play with her b/c I have to work all day, but she gets so wired up I have to get in a chair or something to get away from her b/c she won't give up no matter what toy, bone, etc. I give her. Is it dangerous for her to jump and fall on her head, back? She's landing on carpet or a bean bag not hard floor, but it still scares me. She's gonna knock herself silly one day. |
Rugas has written a book called " Calming Signals" I strongly recommend you read it (short read - just a pamphelet really). Sounds like you need to stop the uncontrolled behavior before it starts. She can have fun and play but you want to know that when it needs to stop, you can stop it. Once a dog gets into a "zone" its often the case that you wont be able to get them "out of it." I learned this the hard way with Bun. Among his issues is "large dog hunting season. " If he sees a large dog, especially a high-drive one like a Border Collie for instance, his instincts coupled with fear aggression go into high drive. I need to be proactive in these instances and KNOW that it is coming on. When he took off after a big dog, I used to scream "no! Bad dog! Bun come! come! COME! C.O.M.E!" I don't think it would have made a difference i I had been standing on my head waving a juicy 8 oz steak from my feet, he wouldn't have noticed I was there. He was busy being in the "moment." I watch him very carefully now, if he's just having fun and keying into me, great, he can resume whatever he's doing. But as soon as I see that twitch, the enlarged eyes and then that sudden stiffness of body - I give a firm command "DOWN." (Turid Rugas would probably prefer that I say sit, but knowing my own dog I find "Down" more effective). The down command has three immediate benefits/effects:
1) It changes his emotional state. So that he is no longer in blood thirsty mood
2)Its what Karen Pryor (author of "Don't Shoot the Dog") would call an "incapatible behavior" - he can't run after a Border Collie if he's lying down on the ground next to me!
3) It tunes him back to me and away from that spec of black and white dust looming in the distance.
Not knowing exactly what is going on with your dog from this side of my computer screen, I can't give you any detailed suggestions other than to read this book and learn to read your dog to see what signs she is giving you before she goes into "hyperactive" warp drive.
Another thing that you rightfully hint at is that she probably has excess energy. Two comments:
1) You might consider changing her diet or reducing her caloric intake. Just like a human child, she may be injesting too many carbs in her diet (esp. true if she is on a kibble diet or if she has free access to food all day).
2) She may need (probably does need) more exercise. There are options depending on what is available where you live and your budget. Because my dogs compete actively it was worth the expense of getting a treadmill for them (jog- a- dog makes a wonderful, albleit pricey motorized one). Doggie day care, a dog walker, mid day dog walk, access to a swimming pool - even a blow-up kiddie pool, dog activities such as agility, or take up running or jogging with her (yes, is she young and healthy she CAN be a jogging partner for the averagely althetic person - you just need to build up slowly). Those just a few suggestions but getting the edge off will certainly help!