I would like to know if anybody has used a remedy other than valerian/skullcap to help de-stress, my girl wasn't socialised as a puppy and I got her at 13mths, she is now 2yrs and improved greatly but she still isn't over confident, I do show her but I cannot find anything to help calm her nerves.
Would be very gratefull if anybody out ther has any remedies that have worked.Thanks

Theres a new product called Zylkene that is used in dogs and cats. Works for some but not for others. Its prescription so you have to get from your vets.

http://www.buyzylkene.co.uk/

You could also try a DAP diffuser and collar in combination :)

She has one on at the moment, had it on for about 4 days, no difference yet!!

Have you used this product, I have been looking at it and thought maybe i'd give it a try, thanks for your advice much appreciated.

We've had very good reports from clients about Zylkene - it's certainly worth a try.

Not personally but a vet nurse friend said her surgery saw positive results in some dogs. Its seems to work better in nervous dogs, dogs scared of fireworks, compared to dogs that have separation anxiety. It also takes a good 3 weeks or so to notice any effects.

Zylkene is not prescription, you can just ask for it or buy it from any of the online chemists -I've just bought 100 capsules from vet-medic and didn't need to do anything else but place the order.

Thanks Marianne as I wasn't 100% sure. Does it work for your dog?

Zylkene is a food supplement not a drug! so no prescription :-)
The active ingredient is peptides ( the particular peptide being a milk protein) So pertinent to note if dog/cat has milk intolerance or allergy.

edited to add: Oops sorry should've read whole thread before picking up on this point! I see Marianne has fielded it already :-)

Have you tried Rescue Remedy (think it can be used for dogs but check it out).  We used it in an emergency when my bitch was benched and the dog on the adjoining bench took off and pulled the benches to the ground, there was absolute panic amongst the dogs, especially mine, because every time she moved the benching partition started crashing and bashing against her, the more she tried to move away the worse it became.   After we had rescued the dogs it was then time to take her into the ring, but she was in a bad way being very stressed, we gave her Rescue Remedy and she went on to take top honors, without any sign of the panic that she had been in approx an 1 hour before.

Does it work for your dog?

Touchwood, I noticed a difference within 48 hours. This bitch is nervous of strangers, I had to take her out of the showring last year, but in the last couple of weeks she has accepted any strangers she has met at training class and been much happier. :)

Here is a link for you:

http://www.nelsonsnaturalworld.com/en-gb/uk/our-brands/rescue-remedy/our-products/the-original-rescue-remedy/#rpets

Hi,

I've also known quite a few people have good results with zylkene, though it really needs to be used a long side a behaviour modification plan to get the best results.  I also notice that in another thread you have said that you use, have used an anti bark collar - I would suggest that you throw it away they can cause increased anxiety in already anxious nervous dogs, infact they can cause anxiety in dogs that are calm and well balanced let alone ones that are nervy by nature.

They can make lots of negative associations with them as well as just getting sprayed at the barking so we think that is the connection they are making but they may also be making other connections as well.  As well as that they don't deal with the root cause of the problem, they just supress behaviour and in doing so they can often cause anxiety because the dog no longer has one of the outlets to release anxiety that they did prior to the collar.

The spray collar is not used on this dog, the girl I use it on is totally different, infact I really don't need it now as it has helped her, this young lady of mine has totally not been socialised before ~I got her, she is so much better but we do have relapses, she is ok where she knows it's strange places she is not happy with.
I would like to that you all for your input.
Thanks

The veterinary practice that I use, have used Zylkene and found it very successful, but as someone else mentioned it is meant to be used alongside a behavioural desensitisation programme. I have found it really interesting hearing about the different cases and would definitely not hesitate to give it a go.

yes rescue remedy is fine for dogs, you get it in a lot of chemists and boots. I use it on everyone ,dogs and gats and humnas too. If you cant get it in the mouth a wipe round the gums will with your finger do or on their pads.

i love rescue remedy! an old dog used to be terrified of fireworks so we used to stock up on it :-) . i love the taste of it too!

I have used homeopathic remedies and ignatia along with Chamomilla (sp) has really helped.

Thats the alcohol Tanya !!!

I hope I am not being too controversial... however I give my girl St Johns Wort. It doesn't knock her out, but does seem to make her less mental (she's a highly strung Weim). I am also an advocate for Rescue Remedy for dogs, horses and humans :-)

Somebody told me about St Johns Wart they used it last week but I won't see them until Wednesday to see how it worked.

If you google 'st johns wort for pets' there is a lot of info saying it's fine to give to dogs and the dosage depends on size. I started on a half dose and built up to 300mg/day over two weeks. It has worked out well for my girl and I haven't noticed any negative side effects at all. Best of luck!

I'm in a similar situation to you other than the fact I'm only 4 months down the line with a girl I took on at 14months, not two years.  She arrived with a bottle of S&V but I didn't find it helpful.  I have tried Zylkene but didn't see a huge difference.  the one I really noticed a difference (when I stopped for a fortnight) was Nupa Feed Stress Less.  She was frightened of pretty much everything when she arrived (we think due to a hormone imablance, but who knows, maybe just lack of socialisation at the correct time).  She's coming on leaps & bounds, long way from facing the world head on but certainly not frightened of her own shadow any more :-)

I haven't tried St Johns Wart though.  Very interested to hear how you get on with it.

Oh & I did try Rescue Remedy when we took our Good Citizens test (it tasted very nice & helpe ME immensely :-D)

Thanks for that I will let you know how I get on I am trying the Zylkene first as it cam on Wednesday, I hab=ve a bad incident with her today and I am still traumatised.
Rhanks

sorry to hear that, keep us posted :-(

Thanks it's something I don't want to broadcast, what type of dogs do you have.x

I used two D.A.P. diffuser units plus a D.A.P collar ....doesn't work magic, but after a week, the stress levels were considerably lower.

I now keep a new D.A.P. unit plus collar in case I need it for Loki around fireworks time ....so far, we've not needed it, by putting her in a covered crate in a small space with tv on, she stays pretty calm.

This is a Tibetan Terrier, but I've been through late 2nd fear phase with my Spanish WAter Dog, that was tough but worth it as he's just a great lad now (it took 9 months of hard work).  Took my TT to her 2nd show & she actually enjoyed herself!!  she's not 100% but she's certainly getting there. 

What has helped me in the past to keep motivated & upbeat, is to remind myself how they were day 1, we've a long way to go, but looking back we've come so far.  Some achievements are so worth the work.