I have a 17 month old English Pointer.  I thought she would be starting to settle down now but seems to be going the opposite way.  She is a very emotionally demanding, constantly wanting attention and affection.  She rarely sits down and relaxes even after a 5 mile walk and she does get lots of exercise.  She chews and destroys anything she can get her teeth into - I have lost count of the number of toys she's been bought not to mention the childrens toys she has destroyed.  She has started jumping up at people again and will latch on to anyone who shows her any attention - even though she gets lots at home too.  We can't let her in the kitchen because the minute your back is turned she will work her way along the worktop and with her long reach polish off anything left there.

She is incredibly nervous in the car and will not sit down even for hour long journeys.  She shakes with fear, salivates buckets and if she has eaten anything, even grass will bring it up after about 15 mins. 

I am about to have a baby and am concerned that she will not distinguish between baby and soft toy for chewing at or that she will jump up on the baby's pram.  Help!  What are my options as all this is making our life as a family very stressful.

Hi Guest, you certainly sound like you have your hands full with this bitch. It also sounds like you might be asking wether or not we think you have enough cause to part company with her,inasmuch as you are pregnant. Of course the baby is going to take up a great deal of your time and energy, and as you are already describing the dificulties you have with your bitch, perhaps you should speak to her breeder.
It may indeed be in the dogs best interests to be returned to the breeder. At the time you bought her, did the breeder mention anything about returning the dog at any time you might feel unable to cope? It's something that good caring breeders are very keen on. If you bought this bitch form a dubious source, then perhaps breed rescue might be the best option. The other option is to battle on regardless, but if the dog is going to be short changed, then a good new home seems to be the better option for her.
Good Luck with your decision. Regards.
Dawn R.

Sounds like my pointers.  They are a high active breed and need a lot of attention.  She may know that things have changed and is getting a little worried.

I agree with Dawn, have a chat with the breeder of her and see what they suggest.

Hope it all works out for you. 

Pointers are a fabulous breed but they are hard work.  We took our young pointer onto the moor yesterday for training and even after all the excitement, she was still running round in circles wanting to play with our young springer when we got back.

Helen

Have you taken any steps to teach her alternatives to the behaviour you don't like?  ie Rewarding her for the moments (however brief) when she is settled?  Directing her to her bed when you are in the kitchen? And asking her to 'sit' when she greets people?

If you get on with your bitch's breeder then get in touch with them.  Your mail sounds just like phone calls I get, and when I ask "what do you really want to do" the answer is invariably "get rid of the dog".

Dogs, like children, should be for life.  If you feel this wan then accept that she may be playing up because you are hormonal, pregnant and less able to cope than you were in your non-pregnant state.

Working though some problems:

She is an active breed but should settle down with time - give it another few months and you should see her mature more.

The more exercise dogs get the more they seem to need.

Give her ginger biscuits before you take her out in the car.  Give her a ginger biscuit and put her in the car for a while, then take her out and play with her.  Gradually increase the length of time she is in the car with it stationary, then very short distances.  Feed her in there so that the car becomes a pleasant place.

Don't buy expensive toys - give her things like cardboard boxes, cauliflowers etc - these may be a mess to clear up but she should have fun with them.

Ensure the children put their toys etc away and never leave edible objects on the work tops - you will find these are standard rules amoungst many dog owning people.

Try to get the people she is likely to jump up at not to look at her.  Dogs rarely bother people (for long anyway) who avoid all eye contact with them.  Get her "sit" or "down" commands solid so she will do them as soon as you say and until you give her a release word (which should NOT be Good girl)

If you already have the pram leave it out and sprinkle it with talc and if you have a friend with a baby, wet or dirty nappies.
Show her the pram, lift her front feet up to let her look inside but don't let them touch it, get close and say NO, then let her go and if she is away from the pram praise her. As soon as she jumps up at it then tell her off, hard!  but don't forget to praise when she moves away.

Christine

Have you thought about taking your girl to an obedience training club? - the club trainer could help you to overcome some of the problems you've got with your girl.  Maybe your vet could give you some advice about finding a local obedience class.
Hope things work out well for all concerned

Mair

Hi Guest
Is it possible for you to contact her breeder?
if so I would contact them for advice and ultimatley help rehoming her if this is appropiate.
The behaviour you are desribing to me sounds like a typical un-trained version of our breed (Vizslas) you need to jon a training club and start from scratch.
Pointing breeds are generaly very demanding ,they are a gundog breed and require patient training/handling and loads of excersise and attention.
Pleas dont be tempted to rehome her to just anyone if you cannot contact her breeder please contact the breed rescue.