Hello I'm new on here but just wondered if anyone could help.  We have a 7 year old Border Collie male called Sam who is so nervous it's ridiculous.  When he is particularly bad he licks a patch on his shoulder which is now bald but on firework night, because he was so scared he did it so badly that he made it bleed.  He now won't leave it alone to heal.  Can't take him to the vets because the sight of the place makes him shake with fear but I went along on my own (!) and she gave me a collar to stop him from licking it.  However he will not wear it and when we put it on him he just sat on his bed all night, wouldn't even go out for a wee he was too scared to move.

He has several other issues including agression towards other dogs and strangers which I am sure stems from the nervousness but I just wondered if anyone had any tips to help him become more confident?

Thanks in advance,

Sally.

Try him on a course of Homeopathic 'calming' remedies such a Skullcap and Valerian tablets from Dorwest herbs or if you can - go on a Tellington Touch course - they will show you techniques to de-stress your dog and you can of course use them in any situation.Then just focus on one thing that you particularly want him to accept - gradually expose him to one of his 'fears' just sitting quietly and not pushing things too much at first - be very much guided by your dogs reaction before you up the stakes.

Unforunately some of the herding breeds can be ultra sensitive and wary of most things - personally I thnk it is because they are so bright that they try to 'think situations through' and often come to a 'scary' answer rather than just accepting things as other breeds do.

good luck with him -at 7 many of his fears wil be entrenched and changing his attitude will be a long process :rolleyes:

p.s try putting chilli paste/vicks vapour rub or bitter apple spray on his bald patch ( as long as the skin is not broken !) hopefully it will deter him from licking it when anxious !

Skullcap & Valerian is NOT Homeopathic, it is a natural herbal remedy.

Skullcap & Valerian is NOT Homeopathic, it is a natural herbal remedy
Skullcap & Valarian may not be Homoeopathic but is a natural remedy as opposed to doping a dog using artificial drugs. It will not mask the symptom nor cure the problem, but it helps the dogs(& humans too)to relax & with the relaxation comes the lessening of the symptoms
My friends BC x BSD has had lots of  veterinary  drugs for her fear of fireworks all they did was leave her drowsy & subdued. With the Skullcap & Valarian she was her bright normal self & very relaxed. She was "chilled"out & totally ignored the noise

A DAP defuser might help - it's a plug in which releases a chemical similar to that released by a nursing bitch - can be very useful in this type of situation - ask your vet ;)

is he a rescue?
if not has he got worse as hes got older?

i think he may need special help ,from a profeessional WHO UNDERSTANDS BORDER COLLIES