Our 11 month old Wire is panting all the time. She is extremely hyperactive and spends most of her day looking for and chasing birds. We have a huge garden, she gets plenty of walks, runs and exercise but never seems to switch off. When out on her lead she is totally focussed on looking up in the sky or in bushes and trees for signs of anything that moves. I have had her on Scullcap and vallerian for 2 weeks to try and calm her down but to no avail. She is so active that it is hard to keep her weight on and we are feeding her twice as much just to maintain. She is in all other ways quite healthy. Any suggestions.

What are you feeding her on? There are some foods that can cause or induce some hyperactivity, in paticular some of the specialist working/active dog foods.

The only advice I can offer is to try a change of diet. If its any consolation we have noticed since this spell of hot weather a dramatic increase of the activity level in our two working springers...and yestereday we had to re-fill their water bowl 15 times, but to be honest they are bonkers anyway

We are feeding her on Pedigree. She has been on that since a puppy.

If its Pedigree complete they have recently increased the protien content this could be a factor.Gillian

I agree with the other comments. I give my Spanish Water Dogs a food with less than 20 % protein, anything higher and they're up the walls.

Yep, I agree with Martin. Check out the food you are feeding her .

As far as exercise is concerned it would be better to decrease it for a while. People fall into the trap of increasing exercise in the hope of calming dogs down. What you are actually doing is building up their stamina, the more they get ~ the more want.

Leigh
In the short term you could try a little Rescue Remedy in her drinking water

I agree with Leigh on the exercise situation, if you cut it down a bit she will loose fitness and hope fully not be so hyper. You must do it gradually though, not just stop it dead.

GWP are also a working breed so would probably have a very good brain - may be it just needs to be put to some use - even if in basic obedience and so on, i can remember reading some where a couple months ago during the worst part of fmd that brain work is just as good/better than conventional excersie - it can certinatly wear ours out after a good 15 mins of training

Yep, agree Mental Stimulation is as vital to some breeds as exercise is

Leigh

LOL ... thats right !!

I need at least 6 hours stimulation a day to keep me mental :p

Twilly.

(Hmmmm, don't even go there !)

And I agree too!

Another thought, is it worth getting a vet check? As it could be a physical problem? under or active thyroid or something?

Let us know what happens.

Nahhhhhh, It's a GWP ..... it can only be a mental problem !! lol

Twilly

I'm sure if I made a comment about GWP being mental I would have John telling me I was causing trouble or something! Good job I'm not that petty! Anyway, onto the GWP story:
I was loaned one to work with my hawks, the owner was trying to think of something it could do to keep it sane last winter...........I have to admit that "liveliness" did seem to be its strong point!!!!!!!!
Anyway, after a week of having to do some work, mental & physical, plus being beaten up by my hawks, she soon calmed down, but after a few days back with her owner in urban life, she was dotty again!
I know this probably isn't much use, but thought you might feel better in knowing its not just you!:D

Sam, where is your sense of humour gone ??

Go and find it at once !!

Leigh

Glad you showed me where to find these little smiley faces Leigh!!!!!

Hi again,

Regarding the mentalstimulation thingy, how about buying a Buster Cube and an Activity Ball? That way the dog can hopefully amuse himself too, when you don't have time.

Also the good old Kong stuffed with yummy things, keeps them goiing for hours if need be!

Where??????

Go to "HELP" in the top right hand corner of your screen Colliemad

Leigh

Have you considered making her rest for a short while - e.g. caged her or
keep indoors.
Sounds like she's very alert & active like my hounds !
Even at 11 1/2 years of age my Hannah is still active but yours with any
luck should calm down.

Pam