Hi,  know this may be a silly question but can dgs get ADHD? My dog that had to move out a year ago has always been hyper. We went through all types of food and that made no difference. She poops between 3 and 6 times a day and only eats 1 medium bowl over the day. She is very muscular (like a working greyhound) and she is a SBT. she can't sleep through the day for more than 10 mins at a time. And she is really clingy. I don't know if this is normal as all dogs are different. Thanks

X

ADHD? Don't know. Have known a few Border Collies who were defiantly demented and seemed to have CRS but they are as a breed rather single minded and driven, I don't know about SBTs though they are usually people dogs and if they have company they are content.

Would say this is not normal behaviour and something is wrong somewhere, how old, is she spayed, have you had since a puppy, how old now, did it start at a particular time (season), is it getting worse?

I believe that they can - I have a terrierX who fits the bill perfectly. Hyper is quite a moderate term for him although he isn't particularly clingy but does love a cuddle. Having had him for  5 years now I have come to accept that he just is what he is and have adjusted to his odd quirky ways. I don't know where he gets his energy from but if I could harness it I would never have to pay another energy bill :-) He too has very odd eating habits - he may only eat every third day at times and very rarely eats two days in a row but seems to be fine with his eating regime. My vet told me he is the oddest dog he has ever seen but is a great favourite with the practice too as he is a very loveable character just very hard work to live with :-)

I bred her so I've had her the whole of 4.5 years, she was spade when she was 1.5 years. She is loving very much, maybe a bt too much. I feel horrible when I tell her to move away but she would spend 24/7 sat on me if I didn't move her.
X

I have an SBT bitch who I have often termed as " autistic ", I don't actually believe she is autistic, but she does have some of the behaviours, so I can see where your coming from.
I'd still be inclined to look at your dogs diet for a solution, dogs can react to multiple ingredients in a food, corn/maize for example, can cause behavioural problems in susceptible dogs, and is a common ingredient.

Not to mention all the colourings, additives, e-numbers and sugar in a lot of dry foods...

I am currently using wagg. I know it's cheap but simba had suffered with dry infected ears and believe it or not it stopped it. All the dogs adapted too it okay, but before wagg I have tried everything. The only one I've not tried is a hills prescription diet for her. I am looking into some herbal source of calming supplement and il speak to my vet, I did have a huge thought though. She had to go live with a fam member because of a huge fight that occurred between my 3 girls. When she went she was with  another 3dogs here. While she lived at fam's house they adopted a 2year old Little boy who was hyper, maybe she has just adapted this behaviour giving them scenarios. we on the other hand are a little bit calmer and that may have an effect on her positively. WE'LL SEE!

X

My dogs are raw fed so additives, colourings etc aren't in his diet :-)

Paid be tempted to try raw feeding (lower additives etc. and dogs seem to find it mentally as well as physically satisfying). That should reduce the number of poops too.

I'd also do lots of short episodes of training (pref clicker based) over the day to wear him out that way!

I've always been tempted to raw feed but uncertain what I'm meant to do. Sorry to sound dumb but do I buy this from the butcher or do I get it else where?

X

Well having seen what happens to meat destined for the pet food trade I would get from the butcher except perhaps tripe that may well go straight from the abattoir to the packer.

There are a lot of raw food suppliers around - I get mine from Landywoods but there are other suppliers too that come recommened. If you do decide to introduce a raw diet you really must research it thoroughly before you begin as there is more to it than just feeding your dog a bone or two. Once you have done your research and if you decide to go down that route it really isn't as difficult as it might seem at first and I find it just as easy as feeding a dry food.

With a bit of thought, raw feeding isn't difficult, have a look at Brit Barf online for an idea as to what's involved

Raw to go, raw to paw and Natural Instinct all supply various minces in the required ratios of meat, bone and offal, if you want to go the pre packed route.

You do need to do your research first though. Have a look at Vet Ian Billinghurst's book for more info. Once you get your head round it, raw feeding is pretty simple. It's not for everyone, but can work really well. Good luck!

I too was just about to recommend raw food as it would have no additives or colourings or any 'odd' ingredients often found in dry food that dog's shouldn't really be eating (carbs, grains etc)

It is daunting at first but if you spend too much time reading about it you'll scare yourself silly about getting it right. You very quickly get into the hang of it once you start and I've found so far the hardest thing is remembering to get it out to defrost it!! What area are you in? We should be able to find you a supplier close to you.

Also, if you're on Facebook, try joining 'Raw Feeding UK' it's really helpful :)

There is some evidence that a large percentage of ADHD people are hypothyroid - and hyperactivity can be a symptom of hypothryoidism in dogs too. So it might be worth checking the thyroid with a comprehensive test if nothing else - including diet - works.

Do you mean Hypothyroid or Hyperthyroid Lurchergirl?  Hypo is underactive and tends to cause lethargy whereas Hyper is overactive so more likely to be hyeractive - different illnesses with very different treatments. I am Hypothyroid and sometimes wish I was overactive!!

hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is rare in dogs, unlike cats, where the opposite is true.

Dakkobear, I mean hypOthyroidism! Hypothryodism can also cause hyperactivity in some cases. Lethargy (and other typical thyroid symptoms like weightgain) only start showing once the thyroid gland is destroyed by around 70%... Behavioural symptoms like aggression or hyperactivity can show much earlier and are often the first symptoms (but are often not recognised as such).

I m in county durham xxx

>I have an SBT bitch who I have often termed as " autistic ", I don't actually believe she is autistic, but she does have some of the behaviours, so I can see where your coming from.

My rott boy shows lots of signs of autistic spectrum behaviours and definitely some sensory dysfuntion and as loathe as I am to ascribe human behaviours etc to a dog if he wasn't wearing a fur coat he would have a diagnosis lol.  I know what you mean Celli lol