Dap Collars

[saxy_jag]

Does anyone know if these are any good just for calming excitable dogs? My dog isn't nervous or anything, just gets very hyper and exited sometimes and I just need her to calm down a little. She's 6, btw, and we've had her for 18 months.

[saxy_jag]

Typo - "excited"

[Ratty2E]

I think DAP is mainly for use with stressed and nervous dogs so I'm not sure how it would work with occasional excitement. Saying that it didn't work at all with one of mine who was nervous of car travel and had bad seperation anxiety and we used spray and plug ins. Has your girl been spayed? Because that might help, otherwise more exercise and maybe some obedience training to wear her out and give her something to work her brain and make her too tired to get excitable.

[woofgang]

what breed of dog? what is she fed on? what is her normal routine? any excitement triggers? have you ever taught her to settle?

[saxy_jag]

Woofgang - greyhound, feed on skinners salmon and rice, which seems to keep her calmer than most. She's an ex-racer and in constant hunt mode the moment we step out of the door. Not too bad getting ready for walks and clicker training is helping her to learn to stand nicely for her lead. However when we're out she takes absolutely no notice of anything - not even food, unless it's on the ground. She's constantly scanning around and trying to pull ahead looking for something to chase. I just want her to calm down a little when we're out and 'listen' to me.

[woofgang]

dap won't help with that because you actually want her to refocus, not relax...it would be like giving you valium and asking you to listen to someone.....
I am not the best one to tell you about loose lead walking because my two are horrors for it, mainly because we don't do it a lot. One of my two litter brothers can be managed reasonably well but the other goes into la la not listening mode. They are wei cross GSP and yes, the hunting instinct is strong. I manage him by using a figure of eight headcollar and as well as stopping him pulling so hard, it also seems to help him to pay a bit of attention to me and not pretend that i don't exist lol. can I suggest that you practice walking nicely on a lead in boring places like around the house and garden, just a few steps then praise and treat (use the clicker) and while you are doing that, use a different lead and collar (maybe harness) than the one you take her for exercise in so she associates the new setup with the new training. Once she has it nailed in the house then start short walks outside the house, maybe only 10 steps to begin with, in the new setup and as she gets the hang of it, gradually phase out the old collar that she pulls in. You can also do "look at me" exercise with the clicker, first when she is still then walking beside you, around the house and garden first, then in the most boring place that you can think of outside the house, building up to the most exciting places. Extend the duration of the time that she needs to focus on you from seconds to half a minute and so on.
I hope this helps...is she your avatar?

[saxy_jag]

We already use a headcollar but I'm thinking of changing it anyway because I reckon she's getting a bit too used to it, so that's a good idea of using it in the house. Clicker training - any training - with most greys is a long, slow process but it is the only thing she's ever shown the slightest response to - three months and she's now learnt that if she stands still at the door then she'll get a click and a treat.
Yes, she is the girl on my avatar. Gorgeous and loving but a little s*d when we're out!

[woofgang]

I use a figure of eight headcollar. It doesn't choke at all but tightens over the nose if the dog pulls. My little s*d is quite happy in it and will still divert to check out a smell but doesn't do the set his shoulders and heave pulling when wearing it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOG-TRAINING-HEADCOLLAR-HALTER-LEAD-ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL-/180614167126?var=&hash=item2a0d717a56
its one like this.