Discussion
One of our dogs is a rescue dog which we have had for several years and we now estimate he is around 8.
He has always been quite nervy and is afraid of flies, bees, "cracking" plastic bottles, fireworks and loud noises in general. He also doesn't like raised voices and people can't even play fight around him without him slinking out on his belly.
Recently though he seems to have got worse when we take him a walk out in the country. There are alot of guns and bird scarers around here and they may be far in the distance, but as soon as he hears them he stops dead and sits there shaking. We usually have to go back and pick him up or coax him with a treat but this usually doesn't work. We've tried reassuring and encouraging him each time there is a noise but it's working less.
We are looking at herbal calming remedies, aroma plug in's around the home and even special jackets which apply pressure to certain areas and are meant to calm them.
Has anyone tried anything or have ant tips which might help? The only place he feels secure is the beach but it's a shame to miss out on some of the good country walks we have.
He has always been quite nervy and is afraid of flies, bees, "cracking" plastic bottles, fireworks and loud noises in general. He also doesn't like raised voices and people can't even play fight around him without him slinking out on his belly.
Recently though he seems to have got worse when we take him a walk out in the country. There are alot of guns and bird scarers around here and they may be far in the distance, but as soon as he hears them he stops dead and sits there shaking. We usually have to go back and pick him up or coax him with a treat but this usually doesn't work. We've tried reassuring and encouraging him each time there is a noise but it's working less.
We are looking at herbal calming remedies, aroma plug in's around the home and even special jackets which apply pressure to certain areas and are meant to calm them.
Has anyone tried anything or have ant tips which might help? The only place he feels secure is the beach but it's a shame to miss out on some of the good country walks we have.
What a sad story. It makes you wonder how he was treated in the past to be like that.
I know some people use a conditioning technique to help dogs who get scared of fireworks, where you constantly play a recording of bangs and explosions until the dog acclimatises to the sudden noise.
Possibly you could play something like this in the background at low volume, and slowy increase the volume as your dog becomes ok with it.
I know some people use a conditioning technique to help dogs who get scared of fireworks, where you constantly play a recording of bangs and explosions until the dog acclimatises to the sudden noise.
Possibly you could play something like this in the background at low volume, and slowy increase the volume as your dog becomes ok with it.
The first time our rescue collie heard a crow scarer he jumped (or tried to) into my arms. He now comes clay shooting and goes beating without any problems. He used to be a snivelling mess at the first sound of thunder or fireworks and is now fine.
We haven't made a big deal about it, just carried on with whatever we're doing, given him a gentle stroke or word and kept going with the walk or whatever. It goes eventually but it did take a year to do so. If you react or get stressed yourself he will know and it just gets worse.
Also remember just what cod actors dogs are. The minute they think they've got a reaction they will milk it for all it's worth. Ours once did the whole "I've just been beaten to within inches of my life and need to be taken into care now" act. I burst out laughing, he looked sheepish and went back to what he was doing before.
He'll always get a collywobble on if you raise your hand and he thinks it's for him and raised voices get him (he was out of the room very quickly when Maldonado shunted yesterday) but he's doing the stuff he enjoys.
We'll never know what they suffered.
We haven't made a big deal about it, just carried on with whatever we're doing, given him a gentle stroke or word and kept going with the walk or whatever. It goes eventually but it did take a year to do so. If you react or get stressed yourself he will know and it just gets worse.
Also remember just what cod actors dogs are. The minute they think they've got a reaction they will milk it for all it's worth. Ours once did the whole "I've just been beaten to within inches of my life and need to be taken into care now" act. I burst out laughing, he looked sheepish and went back to what he was doing before.
He'll always get a collywobble on if you raise your hand and he thinks it's for him and raised voices get him (he was out of the room very quickly when Maldonado shunted yesterday) but he's doing the stuff he enjoys.
We'll never know what they suffered.
There are lots of things available some work better for certain prons compared to others.
A DAP collar maybe worth trying (now called ADAPTIL!)
It maybe worth asking your vets if theyy have a nurse (or vet) that specialises in behaviour or if they can recommend someone.
Zylkene is a natural product worth trying.
The one problem here is that this is a very long term problem that for whatever reason has had a trigger which has worsened it (eg building work at home or change in routine etc that has increased the reactions)
Whilst dogs can play on it this shouldn't just be assumed to be the problem and helping to reduce his nervousness should be tried.
I've heard some great reports on those coats (thunder coats I think they're called) but not seen one used myself.
As already mentioned Sounds scary cd's as a desensitization program can help. http://www.soundtherapy4pets.com/
Finally there is diazepam that can be used as a memory blocker (good for fireworks) but this would have to be under the guidance of a vet and not sure if this would be the right approach for your dogs problems.
A DAP collar maybe worth trying (now called ADAPTIL!)
It maybe worth asking your vets if theyy have a nurse (or vet) that specialises in behaviour or if they can recommend someone.
Zylkene is a natural product worth trying.
The one problem here is that this is a very long term problem that for whatever reason has had a trigger which has worsened it (eg building work at home or change in routine etc that has increased the reactions)
Whilst dogs can play on it this shouldn't just be assumed to be the problem and helping to reduce his nervousness should be tried.
I've heard some great reports on those coats (thunder coats I think they're called) but not seen one used myself.
As already mentioned Sounds scary cd's as a desensitization program can help. http://www.soundtherapy4pets.com/
Finally there is diazepam that can be used as a memory blocker (good for fireworks) but this would have to be under the guidance of a vet and not sure if this would be the right approach for your dogs problems.
Lots of good advice, thank you.
We have looked at the Thunder Coats so we might try that or the Zylkene.
It's right about them being actors. Generally when it happens i encourage him and walk on, he usually runs after you when just out of site but spends the rest of the walk glued to your ankle shaking. My girlfriend though picks him up and carries him a short way, giving him loads of fuss. I'm sure sometimes he knows what he's doing and plays up to it!
We have looked at the Thunder Coats so we might try that or the Zylkene.
It's right about them being actors. Generally when it happens i encourage him and walk on, he usually runs after you when just out of site but spends the rest of the walk glued to your ankle shaking. My girlfriend though picks him up and carries him a short way, giving him loads of fuss. I'm sure sometimes he knows what he's doing and plays up to it!
They do chuck stuff in at entirely random times. We're on our second rescue dog and he amazes me on a regular basis. The other day he was suddenly scared of a small log of terror. The same log of terror he normally cocks a leg on. It had to be approached carefully, circled and then snuck up to.
30 seconds later all was well.
30 seconds later all was well.
Hope you don't mind the thread hijack but it is a similar problem and some answers may help all.
My recently widowed Mum has just taken on a minature Schnauzer that was actually a breeding b
h that could no longer be used for the purpose (she had 7 unviably small puppies so the breeded would not use her again). The dog is only 2.5 years old and used to living in an open barn in the countryside and not having too much human contact.
When we went to get her she was placed on my Mum's lap and basically sat there shaking with her tail between her legs. She is a lovely natured little thing and has sat on me shaking for the first 10 minutes before realising I wasn't going to hurt her. Mum has had her for a week, she has had only 1 'accident' in that time, sleeps on my Mum's bed and now follows her if she leaves the room and actually wags her tail when she comes back in.
My Mum treats her like a baby with all the accompanying 'baby talk', she is eating well. Her reaction to being put on a lead (by the breeder) just rooted her to the ground and she still doesn't like it (understandably so) even though we have now bought her a harness. She would be terrified of cars and traffic and is scared of all visitors even ones she has met before.
I want to try and help bring the dog out of herself and give her some confidence but my Mum seems to reinforce her nervous behaviour by praising her when she is cowering etc. This dog shows no interest in a ball or toys (I guess having no concept of fun?).
Any advice from the great and the good - bearing in mind it needs to be 'Mum friendly' advice.
Thanks
My recently widowed Mum has just taken on a minature Schnauzer that was actually a breeding b
h that could no longer be used for the purpose (she had 7 unviably small puppies so the breeded would not use her again). The dog is only 2.5 years old and used to living in an open barn in the countryside and not having too much human contact. When we went to get her she was placed on my Mum's lap and basically sat there shaking with her tail between her legs. She is a lovely natured little thing and has sat on me shaking for the first 10 minutes before realising I wasn't going to hurt her. Mum has had her for a week, she has had only 1 'accident' in that time, sleeps on my Mum's bed and now follows her if she leaves the room and actually wags her tail when she comes back in.
My Mum treats her like a baby with all the accompanying 'baby talk', she is eating well. Her reaction to being put on a lead (by the breeder) just rooted her to the ground and she still doesn't like it (understandably so) even though we have now bought her a harness. She would be terrified of cars and traffic and is scared of all visitors even ones she has met before.
I want to try and help bring the dog out of herself and give her some confidence but my Mum seems to reinforce her nervous behaviour by praising her when she is cowering etc. This dog shows no interest in a ball or toys (I guess having no concept of fun?).
Any advice from the great and the good - bearing in mind it needs to be 'Mum friendly' advice.
Thanks
I think they are already great companions its just that the dog is showing little of its character as it is so consumed with nerves. That said I guess you are right in many ways - they'll be together perhaps 90% of the time with visitors for maybe 10% of the time so perhaps it isn't that important I just see it as a shame.
Mum also dropped hints this morning that she wants me to have the dog whilst she is in Turkey in the summer for 2 weeks. With 5 of us in the house that will bring her out of her shell (or be a nervous wreck!)
Mum also dropped hints this morning that she wants me to have the dog whilst she is in Turkey in the summer for 2 weeks. With 5 of us in the house that will bring her out of her shell (or be a nervous wreck!)
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