I was also just wondering whether some medication might help. I know Fiona always swore by it with her anxious dogs!
Flicka
- Thread starter Stacia
- Start date
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Yes, that is a thought, however, problem is getting her to the vet for them to prescribe it. I did wonder about Dor west products. My laptop won't let me write that all in one word! She isn't nervous with me now and in fact nearly flattened the living room with her zoom around it. I just need to get her out, I sometimes wonder if I will ever achieve that and in which case I just won't be able to keep her, not fair on a young dog.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I saw @MellowYellow's post before I saw yours! Yes I agree but can't get her to the vet!
My mum swears by CBD oil... (both for her and the vet)
You know, I think it would be worth trying to talk to the vet, at least on the phone. You never know, they may have some suggestion - possibly they might even be willing to visit you. It's worth a try at least.
@Jelinga you may be able to get a video consultation with a vet/behaviourist if she’s too nervous to go to the vets. Might be worth a shot to see if they can suggest something to help alongside your work on building her confidence. I haven’t posted about it much recently but Neo still takes anxiety medication and I’ve found it helpful, particularly when he was younger.
Beanwood
Administrator
Take it a day at a time. Don't think about the future as right now going out for a walk is not what she needs, I know that is incredibly tough as I think walking would be so good for you! 
Flicka has been taken from her place of comfort and safety, from her family and is confused, conflicted and deeply traumatised by her first few nights. It has only been 2 weeks, this is no time at all, especially considering her age, and her naturally sensitive nature.
She needs above all to feel safe with you, and you are instinctively providing this for her, and reading your posts she is starting to trust you, and you are also starting to see the sweet girl underneath that uncertainly.
It has been hugely stressful for you too...losing Rourke was simply terrible, and that takes it's toll along with the stressful and sleepless nights following.
Honestly, the vet? Don't bother. A behaviourist? Don't bother either, they will just tell you both to decompress ( and charge you £300...)
Flicka doesn't need meds, she is expressing normal emotions, and just needs to feel secure. Everything else will follow, but @Jelinga more than ever you need to be patient, your gut instinct of not trusting her out on a walk is probably right.
Things I would do...
If her bed is her safe place - add 2 drops of pure lavender oil to it.
After a week - ( just refresh once midweek ) add a drop of lavender oil to her collar / harness / slip lead.
Don't keep putting her lead on. Have it on the sofa, next to you for now.
Gentle quiet stroking
Gentle massage around her neck, ears.
Remember the 5 second rule - if after touching, she leans in, asks for more interaction, you are on the right track.
A nice supplement to give with food, and 2 hours before visitors is nutracalm. You don't need a script.
www.nutravet.co.uk
It has 2 modes of action 1. short-acting ( will help dogs feel less anxious/or take the edge of their big feelings) 2 hours after food
2. When we alleviate anxiety from dogs on a consistent basis - ie: we don't expose them to triggers whilst settling in - it can take about 4-6 for the brain to start to let go of its "fight or flight" bias. Going back to trusting your instinct - I think Flicka right now would be a bolt risk if taken out on a walk and something triggered her panic response.
Flicka has been taken from her place of comfort and safety, from her family and is confused, conflicted and deeply traumatised by her first few nights. It has only been 2 weeks, this is no time at all, especially considering her age, and her naturally sensitive nature.
She needs above all to feel safe with you, and you are instinctively providing this for her, and reading your posts she is starting to trust you, and you are also starting to see the sweet girl underneath that uncertainly.
It has been hugely stressful for you too...losing Rourke was simply terrible, and that takes it's toll along with the stressful and sleepless nights following.
Honestly, the vet? Don't bother. A behaviourist? Don't bother either, they will just tell you both to decompress ( and charge you £300...)
Flicka doesn't need meds, she is expressing normal emotions, and just needs to feel secure. Everything else will follow, but @Jelinga more than ever you need to be patient, your gut instinct of not trusting her out on a walk is probably right.
Things I would do...
If her bed is her safe place - add 2 drops of pure lavender oil to it.
After a week - ( just refresh once midweek ) add a drop of lavender oil to her collar / harness / slip lead.
Don't keep putting her lead on. Have it on the sofa, next to you for now.
Gentle quiet stroking
Gentle massage around her neck, ears.
Remember the 5 second rule - if after touching, she leans in, asks for more interaction, you are on the right track.
A nice supplement to give with food, and 2 hours before visitors is nutracalm. You don't need a script.
Fast acting support for stress & anxiety
Nutracalm is 100% natural & its fast acting nature makes it perfect for stressful situations such as fireworks, vet visits & kennel stays.
www.nutravet.co.uk
It has 2 modes of action 1. short-acting ( will help dogs feel less anxious/or take the edge of their big feelings) 2 hours after food
2. When we alleviate anxiety from dogs on a consistent basis - ie: we don't expose them to triggers whilst settling in - it can take about 4-6 for the brain to start to let go of its "fight or flight" bias. Going back to trusting your instinct - I think Flicka right now would be a bolt risk if taken out on a walk and something triggered her panic response.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I thought about getting a vet down
A
@Parodius is in anxiety medicine from the vet? She isn't intrinsically a nervous dog, but scared of all these new things, I suppose I will have work through them slowly, but I do miss my previous life!
I tried CBD oil for Rourke and a friend took some herself, I think the results were inconclusive but one to certainly consider.
I THOUGHT I HAD POSTED THIS EARLIER IN THE DAY!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I think the vet would come out if I needed them to do so, I went to the practice today to get some liver paste to go into the kong and they said a vet would come out.We have a peripatetic vet who just does home visits. I wonder if there's one in your area.
(If she needs one - @Beanwood's advice is wise)
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
@Beanwood, your post was very helpful. She does have a safe place to retreat to if she needs to do so. I am being very patient and not rushing her, though this morning she was full of vim and vigour and zoomed round the lawn, quite ruining it! This afternoon she survived the farmer shouting at his sheep at the bottom of my garden and their bumping about as they tried to escape the crush as they were treated for something or other. She couldn't have done that a week ago! I just said it was a noisy farmer getting in his naughty sheep and made light of it. She now sleeps without a light in the kitchen, she sleeps in the utility room with door open to dining room and kitchen, so gradually gradually I am withdrawing things I think she can cope without. She is now fast asleep beside me in another bed as I write this. I had a friend who forced her nervous dog to face things he was afraid of, result he was always a nervous wreck. I just feel disheartened that I may never get her out, but who knows! I will look into nurtacalm.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Some progress! A week ago the gardener came and I asked him not to strim the lawn as Flicka was very nervous of certain noises, a tap on the garden fence had scared her and took me ages to get her over that. Today he pruned the shrubs with a chain saw and strimmed and although she didn't go out, she was interested in what was going on.
I came down this morning and she had been sick, think something had stuck in her throat. She also decided last night at bedtime, not to go into her bed! What to do, so in the end just picked her up and put her in it!
I came down this morning and she had been sick, think something had stuck in her throat. She also decided last night at bedtime, not to go into her bed! What to do, so in the end just picked her up and put her in it!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Good progress!
Keep positive Sonia, you are making a massive difference for this wee girl.
xx
Keep positive Sonia, you are making a massive difference for this wee girl.
xx
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
This is such exciting progress
Ah I was just thinking about you and wondering how things are going with Flicka! That sounds positive!
Can you send any photos? I would love to see what she looks like. x
Can you send any photos? I would love to see what she looks like. x
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I just don't know how to put photos on! Granca told me some time back but it was so complicated I gave up!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
No, don’t click on Attach files. Look at the top bar where there are several icons and click on the Landscape image. It’s between the diagonal Link and the smiley face. That should bring up a box where you can choose photos.
Try that and then let me know if you need more help. x