Has any exhibitors used (Scullcap & Valerian tablets) for nervous/shy dogs? Do they really work.

In my experience, no they do not. Nor does Stress Less, Calmex, Rescue Remedy or Zylkene.

Thanks Goldmali...

I tryed the valerium drops with my girl, I'd say it helped only a tiny bit and as she hated the taste I stopped using them. I tryed zilkin with her and I think it does make a diffrence, it seems to take the edge off for her but doesn't make her tired or anything she is still her crazy self when she has them. So I'm still using them with her when needed. I have to start at least 1 day befor or if something big two days befor.
My brother recommended it after it made a diffrence with his dog, but from what I've read and been told some dogs it can help some it won't so u dont know untill you try so at first I only got a small amount from my vet, got a whole box online not long ago it's much cheaper.

Im trying to get a 5 month old pup to let some one go over her while she is on the table, she sometimes growls out of fear. She was not like this at 8 to 12 weeks old. Maybe its just a stage she is going through, altho never seen it before.
Ive been taking her to the shops so she can meet strangers and bring her on that way, she seems to be getting better.

Ive herd positive and negative stories about Scullcap and Valerian tablets from Dorwest Herbs. I will give it a try it might improve her confidence.

I confess to using these with one of my promising (she did take a RCC) bitches who really wasn't into showing.   And no, I can't say I saw any improvement.   She was clearly never going to give of her best in any case, so she stayed at home!!  Frustrating because she was good - otherwise.

I have however, used Kalm Aid with my current Basset who had a procedure for infected anal glands (flushing and packing - it didn't work! but that's another story) and was really upset with it all.   Probably because of the actual treatment, which again was a disaster.   They sure worked

She could well be in her second fear stage, during which she'll be more likely to spook at things or be afraid of things she might not have been before.  Best to back off for a bit, if she's doing fine with meeting strangers out and about then keep up with that but I'd hold off on having people go over her for a few weeks at least, maybe a few months.  If you push it now and she's growling, she will just get worse.  Practising handling her yourself by all means, pair it with fun stuff and perhaps have people she knows well do it but not on the table so she doesn't build a negative association with that spot.

The only calming thing I put any real stock in these days is melatonin, it is very good BUT better to just back off a bit and let her take things at her speed.  At 5 months old, she shouldn't need any help like that and this is most likely part of her natural development.  My collie pup became spooky as hell at about that age, but she's out the other side now and confident as ever :-)

Thanks Nikita for the excellent advice. Im going to leave putting her on the table at ringcraft till she has finished teething. Teething might be the course of it..

Bit late to this, but skullcap and valerian made two of my collies MORE excitable.. Not at all helpful!

And rescue remedy at a show turned my grumpy grumbler into a smiling loon who flew her tail for the first time in her life.. so won't be using that again either :D