How to calm a hyperactive dog?

My parents have a german sheppard part rottie mutt.

They adopted him from Islip Shelter almost 3 years ago. When my parents brought him home (he was 6 wks) he wound up being hospitalized because he wasn't being treated and fell.

The vet had to give him steriods in order to save his life.

Anyway fast forward almost 2 1/2 years later. He is so hyper active. My parents love him very much but feel they cant control him. He is big and strong and doesn't realize his size. He jumps a lot and gets into everything. They try disciplining him but nothing helps.

They are ready to get rid of him because he still chews and they are nervous he is going to hurt one of my kids (she watches them 3 times a week).

I dont want her to get rid of him, and they really don't want to but they have no choice unless they can calm him down. Does anyone have any advice they can offer?

He really is such a good dog, but needs attention 24/7 and when he doesnt get attention he chews.

Please help before they bring him to a shelter. And I can't take him because i have 2 dogs already and will actually be moving in to the other half of my parents house!!

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Have they tried obedience training? It may be the best answer for him.

My brother adopted a Shepard/lab mix from Islip about 2 years ago. He is VERY active yet very loving as well. Obedience training helped immensely.

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Yikes, what a tough situation. My suggestion would be professional training. Good luck

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Do they walk him everyday? The difference between our dog when he gets a walk and doesn't is night and day!

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Shepherds are very active dogs...they Need a lot of mental and physical exercise....if we don't walk Riley(our german shepard) she is horrendous....I would recommend more walks and even some professional training.

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

1. Lots of activity - if he isn't aggressive and your parents can't hike with him, take him to a dog run for a few hours.

2. Professional training. There is nothing comparable.

I used www.muttmanners.com and am very happy with the results.

They must be willing to put the time in to work with the dog. That is the only way they will get results.

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Is the dog getting enough exercise? Many times if they aren't being walked regularly this kind of behavior is common. Running around a backyard isn't enough for every dog. Good luck!

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!!1

Most dogs chew out of boredom....so if you tire them out, they won't chew, they'll be too busy sleeping!
We have a Weimeraner, known as one of the most hyperactive dogs there are. As long as I walk her every morning with playtime thrown into the walk ( I take her to a park or woods and play with her to get the "zoomies" out of her) she is fine home alone for the whole day.
If I don't walk her - I can only be mildly surprised by what I come home to.

If the dog is not aggressive, there isn't any real need to worry about the children. As OP's have said - take him to a dog run or just run with him....makes a huge difference.

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

thanks so much.

he is outside a fair amount of time and my parents have a huge yard for him but he just winds up digging holes.

i will look into the training.

my mom can't walk him. he is so strong and pulls. but maybe my dad can take him out.

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

I have a large dog (80 lbs) and I have a choke collar for him ( don't know if thats the proper term). I know some people don't like them, but it was how he learned not to pull me. I'm 5'2" and walking him in the park in the beginning was a nightmare. I wasn't able to take him without my husband. He would get excited and drag me towards any dog he saw.

It only tightens on them when they pull. So now we can go to the park everyday. He doesn't mind it, he actually gets excited when he sees it and puts it on right away.

Thought it might be an option, so your mom could control him.

As other posters mentioned, walking everyday makes a HUGE difference in behavior.

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

The Halti collar works great too!

Halti collar

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

Re: How to calm a hyperactive dog?

it's good that they have a big backyard, but they need to PLAY with him in it...they need to throw the ball around, get him to run...

or

take him to a dog park so he can romp with other dogs...

or

walk him every single morning...

"a tired dog is a happy owner"....