I need help finding a healthy solution to a Dog problem I am having.?

i agree with most of these answers, and i don't think you should have to incur ANY vet bills because this is a behavioral/energy issue...not a health issue.

if you want your dog to have less anxiety, i've used these in the past:

http://www.petco.com/product/105447/Excel-Calm-Qui...

To make her more manageable when walking, try using a 'halti collar' -

http://www.allourpets.com/htmls/halticollar.shtml

this site has a good photo of one:

http://www.nutrecare.co.uk/prod5.asp?prod_id=1954&...

I have a very strong, solid staffy cross who although well behaved I would find difficult to hold if he was to take off after something. I have been using a halti collar on him for years and it is so much more effective than a regular collar and kinder than a choke chain as there is nothing around his neck at all. It is not a muzzle of any sort, but is like a halter that you would use on a horse, controlling the dog by the head not the neck. I highly recommend this product for a dog that pulls, it will put you back in control. As for the calming down, the first site I listed has natural products, and though I didn't look into that too much, you might find something there.

The problem in this situation is lack of exercise. If a dog is hyper and energetic, and is not given a way to expend that energy, it can manifest itself into less than desirable behaviors.

This dog needs more exercise, and more mental stimulation. That means teaching the dog the proper way to walk on a lead (there's plenty of tools to help you do that...haltis, prong collars, etc) and needs at least 2 brisk walks a day.

I suggest, if you can't handle walking the dog or providing proper physical and mental stimulation, that you find someone who can. I understand you're fixed income, but medical problems don't wait until you have the cash. I suggest that you set aside a small amount every pay period in case something comes up.

Contact your local SPCA and or Humane Society ~ they may be able to assist you as both organizations at times set funds aside for situations of this nature.

Dalmatians are normally a hyper dog w/alot of energy that over time if they are not permitted to burn off that excesses energy the dog can become frustrated in your case aggressive.

Try a dog park if you have one close by where your dog can run and burn off that energy. If you do not have a dog park and you have ball parks take the dog there when the fields are not being used as most of them too are enclosed so your dog can run (just be sure when bring along some poop baggies).

It also sounds like you might need to check into some training techniques when it comes to walking your dog; check out this site it might be able to help in troubled areas:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A...

Good luck...

Well my idea would be to go to a pet food store and check out the foods that they have. Some of the foods are just for that purpose. They have it canned and dry. I've had this problem with my extremely crazy 7 year old black labrador. If you can't find any food that is supposed to calm the dog out, go with senior food. Also a bag of rawhide is a good way to calm a dog down. They'll chew chew chew and then pass out. Hope this helps!

melatonin, rescue remedy. why not get a different type of leash? try a halti or gentle leader. They are not that expensive and work very well. Increased exercise will help with the hyperactivity and also with the aggression. My parent's dalmation became aggressive as he aged as well- not to her little dogs but to strangers and especially the UPS guy.

There is a homeopathic remedy called Calms Forte that might help.

I have used the halti with success with my hyper dog.

If you have a treadmill, that, used along with the walks, can take the edge off a hyper dog.

The problem with the chihuahua should be addressed with discipline.

Everyone lives on a budget, but before you get dogs you need to cost in potential vet fees as well as the on going costs of dog ownership. It seems to me that your Dalmation lacks obedience. Yes they are notorious for being high energy.... but you should of looked into that before you got the dog. The dog needs lots of off lead free running to burn up energy. As for lead walking... you need to train your dog to walk on a lead and NOT allow it to drag you up the road. She is pulling you down the road because you haven't got her respect and haven't trained her not to do it. Dogs of any breed are not born already knowing what they should do. Its down to you as a responsible owner to TEACH and TRAIN your dog to have manners and to behave.

Some breeds and some dogs are more difficult that others, but that isn't an excuse for not bothering at all. At 12 years of age one would assume the dog was entering old age. If your dog is so hyper you need to look at what you are feeding her. You also need to make sure she is more stimulated, more walking, training, interaction, mental stimulation. Drugging a dog to make it calmer isn't the solution.

You could try a different lead so that she is more manageable during walks. Something like a gentle leader might help the situation. As for the aggression towards the chihuahua...i don't really know. It sounds like she needs more exercise. That would probably help chill her out, even when around your chihuahua. Exercise does wonders for active dogs.

I had a dog get very sick from raw meat that had likely thawed and been refrozen (someone gave it to me from a farm). Although I feed my dog raw now, I buy it frozen from a butcher and would never give her any other form of raw meat. I do believe the stance that it is feeding a dog real food, and not necessarily raw meat, that makes the difference, so if you cook your dog`s meat, that should be optimal as well.