over active dog

Question
my dog kloey is a girl..15 months old....she is very excited around ppl ..especially when they first come inside out house...ant the door she  barks radically her hair stands up  and she just wont calm down...on walks sometimes she is all over the place running fast on end of leash and even runs toward me trying to nip me.....i want her to calm down

Answer
Hi Patricia -

It is hard for me to answer your question because I don't know what breed your dog is or whether she is spayed, so I will just give you some general tips.  Knowing the type of breed your dog is would help me to establish exercise needs and temperament for example there is a big difference in energy level between a border collie and a bull dog.  Spaying and neutering your pet eliminates unwanted puppies, has health benefits which help your pet live longer, and it also helps to calm them down.  If she is not spayed, consider speaking to your veterinarian about having that procedure done.
You should begin working with Kloey on her greeting manners.  Designate a "greeting spot" near the door.  You should define this area visually for the dog by placing a mat on the floor.  Then get a few dog friendly people together to act as mock guests.  Practice greetings by having them ring the doorbell or knock while Kloey is ON LEASH in her greeting spot.  Make her sit to be petted by the guests.  Praise and reward lavishly when she does.  If she jumps, tell her no, eh eh, and put her back in the sit.  She should not be permitted to meet the guests until she has earned the priviledge by being quiet with all four paws on the floor.  If she does not obey tell the mock guest to go back outside and try again.  If you practice this frequently she will learn that unruly behavior with guests will be unrewarding because she doesn't get to sniff them or be petted. It also helps to burn off the excess energy by walking her or playing fetch prior to your company arriving.  The fact that her hackles (hair stands up) are up can be an indication of many different things.  It can mean fear, aggression, excitement, etc.  If you are having trouble understanding your dog's body language please consult a local trainer to give you more insight.
As for your leash walking...remember that pulling on the leash is a self-rewarding behavior for the dog.  She takes away the leadership position from you by dictating what she is going to sniff, when she is going to sniff it, how fast the pace of the walk is, and the direction of the route.  There are different kinds of training aides that can help you deter pulling.  My favorite is the Easy Walk harness by Premier Pets.  It is available at most pet stores.  Bring your pup with you and have a store employee help you fit the halter if you are unsure which size.  Now that you have more control over the dog, let's go back to leash walking basics.  You can stop the pulling by changing direction and walking the opposite way EVERYTIME she pulls.  Tell her no, eh eh, and change direction.  She should start looking up at you like you're crazy and stop pulling.  Praise her when she eases the tension on the leash, turn around and continue your walk.  If she pulls again, change direction again and repeat.  This works because it is unrewarding for the dog to go back the way she came.  She has already explored that route and wants to smell and see new things.  Some dogs catch on quicker than others, but as long as you are consistent she will stop pulling.  This method can be frustrating for the owner because sometimes you can only get three steps of non-pulling before having to turn around again, however, it is well worth the effort.  Remember to praise lavishly and treat for non-pulling behavior so Kloey can learn what behavior you are looking for.  When walking her be sure to always walk her on your left or right.  Traditional doggie law is that the dog walks on the left.  This is not an option for some people due to injuries or just being right hand dominant.  Unless you are going to be going for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test or showing Kloey, the side she walks on really doesn't matter just be sure to correct her for zig zagging in front of you and praise her when she is walking nicely on the designated side of you.  If you continue to have trouble, consult a dog trainer or join a group class to work on loose leash walking.  Best of luck with your pup!