Crazy mad dog- would spaying help?

[leejaysmum]

Does anyone know if speying a bitch has the same effect that castration has on a male dog? In other words will it calm her down at all? I have a 2 year old absolutely hyper border terrier bitch that you only have to look at and she goes frantic with excitement! Her teeth chatter so loudly it sounds painful! She screams like a banshee with anticipation when she sees her leash - jumping up the walls, doing summersaults and all sorts of acrobatics, and woe betide me if I have to leave the house...she goes completely mental with anxiety, wailing and howling like a werewolf!! All in all shes so over-excitable its a nightmare, so I wondered if spaying might calm her down. I dont want to breed from her anyway, especially with her being like she is. That said, aside from all this shes completely gorgeous!!

[boxtops]

I don't know about spaying, but it sounds as if a spell at obedience classes might be a good idea.....

[daisya]

Any medical condition causing this?

[leejaysmum]

No, no medical condition apart from anxiety issues, but she has had intensive dog training from 6 months of age. She's super obedient & very intelligent in every other way, its just this over excitement! We can tell shes trying so hard to obey the command to sit/stay calm, but its like she just cant help herself!

[jules77]

I have an over exciteable bitch, not as bad as yours, but nevertheless she makes the younger two look like veterans. She was spayed due to a pyo when she was 6, it made absolutely no difference at all.

[daisya]

Would it help to talk to your vet to see what suggestions he/her makes, unless of course you've already done that? Can training improve her or do you think she is beyond that now? Must be so difficult for her poor little soul.

[Carakeel]

Hi leejaysmum, what might help is a "Pet Corrector". This is a spray can that gives off a hissing sound, similar to that of geese and is used to stop unwanted behaviour in dogs and cats. I bought one yesterday, as our bitch goes mental every morning when she hears us get up. She gets extremely verbal and keeps nipping our two dogs' necks, behinds and tails. You don't actually spray the dog with it, you give a short burst of the spray off away from the dog. This morning I actually used it upstairs although the dogs were downstairs. It is the sound that is so effective and worked a treat for us. Our Keeva has been as good as gold all day. I also gave it to a friend to use at training class last night, as her young Golden Retriever was acting up. Within a minute or so she was totally obedient and calm. Pet Corrector is sold in most pet shops and costs around £6.99 for the medium can. It doesn't harm the dog in any way. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[islasmum]

I've used this for one of my more excitable dogs in the past and I think it helps - and it smells lovely too!

http://www.csjk9.com/...ategory=3&idproduct=3

[Ratty2E]

I don't think spaying will change her behaviour much, it never has with any of mine. The only changes were that they were prone to weight gain and their coats went mental. I think maybe your needs more mental stimulation and excercise. I know you say she's had training but maybe some agility classes might help give her something to think about and tire her too. More excercise would certainly help but if you don't have time for longer/extra walks you could try a doggy backpack. http://www.doghaus.co...4KJpqoCFVEKtAodt0OGhQ . You might also want to look at how you react to her 'bad' behaviour, you might be unintentionally rewarding her and encouraging it. If she screeches and leaps about when you pick up the lead, put it down, turn your back and walk away. Ignore her until she's calmer then try again until she learns that only by being calm will she get the reward of walkies. It takes a lot of perseverance and patience and you need to be consistant but she sounds like a very intelligent dog and she will learn. Food suppliments might help but I don't think there is an instant fix, you need to put in the time but I'm sure she's worth it.

[lankeela]

Good advice from rattygirl. Speying won't make a hap'orth of difference to her behaviour in this respect. Extend her training to include waiting for a lead to be put on etc. and laying down before you take her out.

[momac]

I read somewhere that Rescue Remedy is very good for nervous tension in dogs.

[madmaggot]

Spaying is not the answer as you say she has anxiety issues; this will just make her less confident.
I would go with rattyratgirl's suggestions regarding more exercise and then when you are sure she is really getting all the exercise needed if she still does it. Try just sitting back down every time she shows the first sign of excitement, as soon as she quiets start getting ready again. It will take ages at first but keep at it and she will learn that she's going nowhere unless she does it calmly.