herbal remedies

Lablover · 12-03-2003, 05:20 PM

Anyone got any ideas on natural, non-drug type of herbal remedies that I could use on a dog that is hyper? I was given a retrieving fool of a yellow lab female. She is about 8 years old but acts like she is 7 months old. I come to the pen to feed her or let her out and she turns into a kangagroo. When I toss the dummy for her, it is nearly impossible to get her to sit and stay until I send her. I had to buy her a "prong" collar as when she is on a leash she is walking me-no one else in the family wants to walk her because they can't keep up with her!!!!!!!!!
I refuse to "drug" her like a we tend to do to humans so that is why I thought there might be a natural ingredient that would be safe but effective.
Thanks for your help!!!

Doc E · 12-03-2003, 06:30 PM

The best 'natural remedy' for your dog's "problems" would be SOLID obedience training -- yup, even at age 8.

Lablover · 12-04-2003, 12:04 PM

I understand the idea of "SOLID" obedience training. That is one reason why I went to the pinch colar rather than a choke chain. She would pull on the choke chain until she'd gasp and still keep going. I would even try to pull her back but at the end of a walk, my arm feels like it will fall off. When I make her sit and stay when retrieving, she will either "stand up" or move. If she moves, I drag her around to where she is supposed to be then command "Sit" "Stay"!!! If she has stood up I will command sit, pull back on her collar and litterly pound her on her butt with my closed fist until she sits (usually once or twice is enough). Sometimes she stands right back up and I have to repeat the whole thing. She acts like nothing is phasing her. I will repeat this whole sinareo each time that I want her to sit and stay while we are working with the dummies. When I do not expect her to sit and stay she runs around back and forth to me and away from me until I toss the dummy. She has even been hit by the dummy because as I'm just about to toss it, she comes right up to me and I can't stop quick enough. I just don't think that this is normal behavior due to her being hyper (unusuall for a lab). As I stated before, I got her just this last April and I don't think she had much attention or hunting prior to then. Short of being extremly cruel (I already feel that I have cruel enough-there is a difference bewteen training and abuse), I thought that maybe there was some other alternative for hyper dogs.
My son has a MinPin (don't get me started on this "dog")that even sitting in your lap or being held in your arms, his motor is running. You can feel him vibrate like he is in a -70 room and is freezing. Walking him is fun too, he dosn't walk on four he jumps ahead on 2. He is diffinately hyper also.
I really would like some help in this as I do like both dogs but do get frustrated with them and their "over zealishness".
Thanks

Doc E · 12-04-2003, 07:32 PM

What training program (books/tapes) did you use for training?

Lablover · 12-05-2003, 07:19 AM

Supposedly, she was "trained" before I got her. I really think, thought, that she may have been primarily a "breeder" and did not get as much attention as she needed and deserved. So in answer to your question-none. Remember, she is 8 years old and I just got her in the spring.