Dog calmers that work?

[MagicMelon]

Our labradoodle has the occassional "bad" night. Thunderstorms are a major problem (like many dogs probably) but she also stresses out the same way on some odd nights where nothing is wrong, we cannot work out what triggers it on those nights. Anyway, she stresses all night (panting, pacing, sweaty paws, scratches door etc. - all very abnormal for her). We've tried things like being with her, ignoring it, letting her sleep upstairs in an empty bedroom, putting on TV / radio etc. to no avail. I'm thinking some sort of calmer might help? Not one that needs "built up" though over time as she doesnt need to be on it all the time, just these odd nights. Im sure its like horses - some things work for some and not others. But can anyone recommend where to start?

 

[angrybird1]

A adaptil diffuser or collar? They also do a spray. Zylkene tablets although they need to be built up, a thundershirt?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The trouble is that whatever you do, you won't know when she needs it until she is already stressed if you only use it 'as and when'. I would try a diffuser plugged in all the time.

 

[SAujla]

Could you leave an item of your clothing with her, the scent could give her some reassurance (more of a thing for puppies I think) and stop her getting to the point of becoming stressed and you needing to be there. If she's a big chewer I'd probably not try it and get the adaptil diffuser instead or something that gives one consistent sound like a fan

 

[satinbaze]

I would try a thundershirt they come with a money back guarantee. You can also apply a little pet remedy to the shirt. This has really helped a friends anxious dog.
Here is the link for pet remedy
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pet-remedy-calming-spray-200ml-(online-only)#

 

[Bellasophia]

My first poodle was similar to your doodle in that she would stress pant,pace and shake when the thunder kicked off..we live in the foothills of the alps so for us the thunder really booms .She used to react to fireworks too,thank goodness they have been banned here for some years.
Her noise stress caused her to have three convulsions in her lifetime,and we managed to limit these using ..
....bach rescue remedy(now called resource remedy ).I used to pippette a small amount directly onto her tongue.
As she got older she would still stress but given the remedy,she never had a full fit again after the third( age 3)
...during firework season,we used to give one melatonin in the evenings leading up to the period...it seems to keep the dog calm.
Our dogs sleep in our bedroom which also helped the stressy girl,but never fully stopped her shakes during a storm.
As your dog is still so young I hope you find a solution ..I found it helps to keep upbeat andturn the music or tv up,if you can.
My current two are not bothered by storms etc..what a joy after 13 years with my other girl. I could never go out on New Years eve( firework night ) and would even have to head home when the local hunters started shooting in the fields.

I have heard there are noise tapes which can be used specifically to desensitize a dog with noise reactivity,but they should be used with a trainer/ behaviorist who knows what they are doing ,to avoid worsening the dogs issues.

 

[Mynstrel]

Another vote for thunder shirts and rescue remedy, we use both for our rescue who randomly gets upset, the thunder shirt when he needs it but 4 drops of RR in his water whenever we fill his bowl seems to be helping him not to get so upset so quickly.

 

[meleeka]

I used Adaptil Express which worked well. I also use the collars, but they are expensive and good for prolonged use.

 

[GSD Woman]

Some drugs that might help are Xanax, gabapentin, and trazadone. Freddie has problems with thunderstorms and we've been having a lot of them lately. I'm working on counter conditioning by playing Jolly ball with her if the storm isn't too close. (One of the veterinarians at work does a lot of behavior work and she thought I was playing volley ball in storms with the dog.) If the storm is too close I give her gabapentin and trazadone. It has been kicking in in 20 minutes or so.

 

[angrybird1]

Some drugs that might help are Xanax, gabapentin, and trazadone. Freddie has problems with thunderstorms and we've been having a lot of them lately. I'm working on counter conditioning by playing Jolly ball with her if the storm isn't too close. (One of the veterinarians at work does a lot of behavior work and she thought I was playing volley ball in storms with the dog.) If the storm is too close I give her gabapentin and trazadone. It has been kicking in in 20 minutes or so.

Pretty heavy duty drugs to use. Gabapentin can have side effects. Personally I wouldn't go down that route if it can be avoided.

 

[Bellasophia]

I agree with this.Very extreme meds for a pup starting with noise reactivity.

I stayed two years in USA..i was pleasantly surprised to see puppy classes and basic obedience classes offered at very low prices.The shine wore off when I was told all pups were to use a spiked choke collar for their lessons..” ....it’s like using cruise control” I was assured.
I cruised out of the class with my four month old rottie pup in her leather collar. I did not take the offer of the spiked collar which had been banned in Uk for some time.
No dig at you gsd woman,but USA dog training seems to be uninhibited with the disproportionate use of extreme corrective fixes for pups that really need a more gentle approach.

 

[tda]

Has anyone's dog reacted to the Adaptil plug in? The dog it was purchased for is ok, no change so far , his brother dragged his bed across and tried to cover it up?

 

[MissTyc]

I used Adaptil Express which worked well. I also use the collars, but they are expensive and good for prolonged use.

The collars are fab. I can tell when my terrier's wears off, so it's now on Amazon Subscription.

My terrier is very anxious and if I have to knock him outout, I use AO9 Calm-K9, double dose. No idea if that's healthy or not, but it's probably better than being thrown off a cliff (I say in jest but sometimes he is very very difficult to live with ... )

 

[MagicMelon]

Thanks everyone, lots of suggestions there. Not sure if people think she's a puppy but she isn't - she's 8! She started stressing last night too, but no thunderstorms or any noises at all around. I really dont know why she does it. We live in a very quiet, rural area so literally there's nothing to bother her / set her off and nothing changes outwith her routine.

I'll probably try the thundershirt and the remedy stuff first and possibly the plug-in. Id rather avoid medication (especially proper stuff) unless I really really have to. Thanks all

 

[GSD Woman]

I agree with this.Very extreme meds for a pup starting with noise reactivity.

I stayed two years in USA..i was pleasantly surprised to see puppy classes and basic obedience classes offered at very low prices.The shine wore off when I was told all pups were to use a spiked choke collar for their lessons..” ....it’s like using cruise control” I was assured.
I cruised out of the class with my four month old rottie pup in her leather collar. I did not take the offer of the spiked collar which had been banned in Uk for some time.
No dig at you gsd woman,but USA dog training seems to be uninhibited with the disproportionate use of extreme corrective fixes for pups that really need a more gentle approach.

I must have missed something, yes, these can be a bit strong for pup starting with storm anxiety. However, counter conditioning with a favorite toy is in no way extreme unless you consider that I'm out in a thunderstorm working on making my girl better.

And how in the world does some of the extreme training people offer in the US enter a conversation about ways to help a dog with storm phobia?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Also, pinch collars are not banned in the UK.

 

[Bellasophia]

gsd woman..I was commenting on the prescription meds ,not the counterconditioning with a toy..
In USA I saw many dogs whose owners used Xanax freely for separation anxiety ,fear of thunder etc.. My preference is to try non prescription remedies before resorting to drugs which can have some dangerous side effects if used long term.
In the USA schools my sons attended the liberal use of Ridalin ( for ADD) also surprised me..queues of children lining up in the morning to get the drug from the school nurse.. and yes I’m digressing ,but I found it shocking.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Rescue places in the UK give Prozac.

 

[IngramsRoughDiamond]

YuCalm has made a massive difference my fear aggressive rescue dog. He used to hate strangers especially men, now he barks for 30 seconds then he is is fine

 

[KEK]

I must have missed something, yes, these can be a bit strong for pup starting with storm anxiety. However, counter conditioning with a favorite toy is in no way extreme unless you consider that I'm out in a thunderstorm working on making my girl better.

And how in the world does some of the extreme training people offer in the US enter a conversation about ways to help a dog with storm phobia?

Gabapentin is actually a very safe drug, I use it all the time, needs higher doses for sedation effects. Trazodone is also good, use it with just about every post ortho case. I would recommend a consult with a vet who does behaviour cases, if there are ongoing issues with anxiety it would probably be appropriate to use an everyday med (like fluoxetine/ prozac) but if just situational (thunderstorms) then gaba + /- traz are good choices.

 

[angrybird1]

Gabapentin is actually a very safe drug, I use it all the time, needs higher doses for sedation effects. Trazodone is also good, use it with just about every post ortho case. I would recommend a consult with a vet who does behaviour cases, if there are ongoing issues with anxiety it would probably be appropriate to use an everyday med (like fluoxetine/ prozac) but if just situational (thunderstorms) then gaba + /- traz are good choices.

It may be safe but can have some nasty side effects as I've seen myself in my own dog. It may well be appropriate to use for pain in dogs but is it really ethical for behavioural problems?

 

[KEK]

It may be safe but can have some nasty side effects as I've seen myself in my own dog. It may well be appropriate to use for pain in dogs but is it really ethical for behavioural problems?

I think it is very ethical to use it in behaviour and use it myself for one of my dogs in thunderstorms. Much more ethical than using nothing and having the dog highly anxious.
I have dispensed gabapentin for hundreds of dogs and the only side effects I have seen are sedation (esp at higher doses) and appetite increases. These are dogs having regular blood monitoring, as well. Trazodone is definitely more hit or miss, have had some get dysphoric on it.
From a nutraceutical POV I like adaptil and zylkene but they would not be enough for a highly anxious dog (neither would gabapentin alone , it’s often used as an adjunct).

 

[Bellasophia]

KEK..are you working a facility that tests dogs.?
you say you have tested “hundreds “of dogs?
Can you elucidate.?

 

[GSD Woman]

My dog has never been frantic from a thunderstorm but there are dogs that go through windows in a panic in bad storms. When I worked ER the worst shift I ever worked was a July 4, Independence Day in the USA, where we had a horrible thunderstorm. A very expensive field golden panicked, broke out of her run, got hit by a car and killed. I would rather give my dog meds than risk that. YMMV.

 

[GSD Woman]

KEK..are you working a facility that tests dogs.?
you say you have tested “hundreds “of dogs?
Can you elucidate.?

Actually KEK said they had dispensed it, not tested it.

 

[Bellasophia]

Actually KEK said they had dispensed it, not tested it.

Dispensed and not tested ..that’s even worse.
.
I prefer to engage with the source,why are you answering for KED.?
Re the escapee golden..it sounds like it was in a outdoor run.....Not recommended in a thunderstorm.
Ps..If you continue to harass,I shall block you.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Sorry to interrupt the Americans Are Wrong About Stuff discourse...MM have you tried a covered crate/in a small dark place, as a safe space)

She may be being affected by atmospheric pressure, whether it develops into a storm or not. I know my sinuses have been pretty bad in recent weeks, and it's not something that normally bothers me. As she's approaching her later years, I might check if her hearing and eyesight is OK.

Anything else nearby? Factory, farm, meat plant, gun club, motor racing circuit etc?

 

[KEK]

Dispensed and not tested ..that’s even worse.
.
I prefer to engage with the source,why are you answering for KED.?
Re the escapee golden..it sounds like it was in a outdoor run.....Not recommended in a thunderstorm.
Ps..If you continue to harass,I shall block you.

LOL I am a vet, who specializes in canine rehab and deals a lot with chronic pain. Also do behavioural consults,and have trained agility dogs for 20+ years to top levels. So, not a researcher (unsure what you mean by testing) but pretty busy with my day job

 

[GSD Woman]

Here I go again, "harassing" people but I have a couple of questions.
I know there is a difference between the US and the UK and EU how drugs are approved for use. Are drugs not tested before being released for doctors to prescribe? I don't worry about my physician prescribing drugs because I know the testing that is done before a drug can be put on the market. I trust my doctor enough to be able to discuss possible side effects, etc, as well as doing my own research.
And, KEK, for some reason I thought you were in Australia not the US. Was I incorrect?
How common is it to send a dog to a professional for training, such as gun dogs? People around here who are big into field trials often send their dogs to good field trainers. A normal set up for such a trainer is a kennel building with separate inside kennels attached to outside runs. If a dog is sufficiently disturbed by a severe thunderstorm going through a plate glass window much less getting out a covered, chain link run.

 

[KEK]

Here I go again, "harassing" people but I have a couple of questions.
I know there is a difference between the US and the UK and EU how drugs are approved for use. Are drugs not tested before being released for doctors to prescribe? I don't worry about my physician prescribing drugs because I know the testing that is done before a drug can be put on the market. I trust my doctor enough to be able to discuss possible side effects, etc, as well as doing my own research.
And, KEK, for some reason I thought you were in Australia not the US. Was I incorrect?
How common is it to send a dog to a professional for training, such as gun dogs? People around here who are big into field trials often send their dogs to good field trainers. A normal set up for such a trainer is a kennel building with separate inside kennels attached to outside runs. If a dog is sufficiently disturbed by a severe thunderstorm going through a plate glass window much less getting out a covered, chain link run.

Yep I am in Australia. Here we can use drugs off label for dogs, I think the requirements are less stringent than the UK (where if there is a licenced drug for dogs it must be used, is my understanding, have not practiced in the UK though).
Sending dogs away for training is not common here, you get the occ “boot camp” for pet behaviour stuff, often sadly they use positive punishment. All the sport dog stuff people train themselves AFAIK