Smartypaws

We have stayed at Tantarra Bed and Breakfast at Warners Bay, NSW twice in the past 6 months and couldn't recommend them highly enough. The accommodation is lovely, nightly rate includes a full, home cooked breaky that is to die for, and dogs are allowed inside and treated like family by the lovely hosts - Serena and Kim. http://www.tantarra.com.au

I have heard Urban are good. You could look at the RSPCA K9 Kindy classes too.

I believe temperament is largely genetic and 'behaviour' is a result of temperament, environment and learning. A dog from a dam or sire with a 'bad' temperament is not guaranteed to have a bad temperament themselves, but it definitely increases the risk that it will - and the full extent of that temperament may not be known until the dog reaches maturity. In terms of puppy or adult, it depends on your circumstance, preferences and requirements. I like to raise my dogs from pups so that I can influence their learning and environment from the get go. But if you get an adult you may get a better idea of the dogs individual temperament.

Oh Panzer, My heart goes out to you . But I also want to commend you for doing what you think is right for Scooter. As humans, it is sometimes hard for us to change our expectations and reassess our understandings of what we think dogs should do/need. My dog was also bought as a performance dog, but we have had to be realistic and I have had to let go of my expectations. The degree of anxiety that he suffers from means that he actually doesn't enjoy a walk around our neighbourhood, not matter how much I think he should because other dogs do , and a club or comp environment is so far removed from what he can cope with that he is unlikely to ever compete in that scenario. We have gotten improvements with meds, but our VB has even told us that he will never be 'normal' and will always need management, even on meds. Like you though, we love him, and on meds he is at least happy at home and sweet and affectionate. Good Luck with the second dog too!! Unfortunately for me, my boy was my third dog, my new comp dog after retiring my older two.

Ok got it, thanks! So it's that consistency and predictability, rather than the routine, that increases confidence. And I guess then being inconsistent and unpredictable in training and interactions can lead to confusion and loss of confidence, and possibly anxiety. Smartypaws, is that what you find with your dog too, that it's the consistency and predictability rather than the routine itself? I say potato you say potarto.....a routine can be predictable and consistent, but isn't automatically so - you could do the same things in the same order everyday, but if you go for a walk at 6am everyday and everyday that walk throws unpredictable experiences/interactions at your anxious dog, you have lost the predictability and consistency element. You however, can react predictably and consistently with your dog when those triggers present themselves. In our case, it is the predictability and consistency of the environment and interactions with people and dogs, and my response to those encounters in terms of management, that is important for my dog. Sure, I would agree that inconsistency and unpredictability in training may cause confusion for a dog, possibly resulting in the display of anxious behaviours. In my opinion though, if this same dog displayed anxiety out of the training context is unlikely to be a result of unpredictable or inconsistent training alone......and more likely to be the result of a temperamental predisposition to nervousness/anxiety in general. The flip side is that predictable and consistent training in a dog like this can be beneficial. :) I hope that made sense??

My dog is not food focused either, but balls and frisbees are the best! We play catch with both. My dog knows that looking at the toy doesn't earn a catch game with the toy, looking at me does :) .

It sounds like you have found what you and Jake needed Hankdog.... . I look forward to hearing how you guys go. Good Luck! I also agree that the right professional help for your dog and circumstances is so important. In my case, my dog is not unruly or uncontrollable, walks beautifully on leash, is highly trained and focussed, defers to me when uncomfortable and can be 'managed' through most situations (LAT, redirection, etc).......but he is anxious and uncomfortable in his own skin outside his few comfort zones, and even sometimes inside them! I wanted more for him than to simply be 'managed'. A Vet Behaviourist and medications have been the most appropriate way to reduce his anxiety levels and help him find some peace in the world.

Ooohhhh, great thread! Some of my thoughts...... Does routine create anxiety? Or do dogs with anxiety (or prone to anxiety) need routine as a management strategy? My anxious dog copes best if life is predictable and if the behaviour of the people and dogs in his life is consistent. In his case unpredictability is the enemy. His anxiety disorder makes him hyper vigilant, so he notices anything that is out of place, out of context, or inconsistent with his understanding of the world. I think that the saving grace for my anxious dog is that he has exceptional focus due to the time and energy I have put into his training since he was a pup......he loves his play rewards (tug/frisbee/ball). The value I have built for working with me to earn his toys has created one of very few spaces where he is able to focus on something other than his feelings of anxiety (although stacked triggers make this focus impossible too). Maybe this explains why some dogs appear to 'need' exercise/training in order to not spiral into anxious behaviours?? Ie. the anxiety may actually always be there, but while training/exercising/doing something they like and value the dog is able to focus on something other than the feelings of anxiety. Training is also somewhat predictable, ie. offer desired behaviour, earn reward - so for my dog, something not to be anxious about. I also think that stress is cumulative - so after a training session there are residual feelings of calm......but as the environment starts to throw up unpredictable elements - heard a noise, something moved over there, that person behaved in a way that is inconsistent with my understanding of the world - one trigger on top of another, the anxiety returns. Also why it is likely your dog will react on a walk a second/third/fourth time once they have reacted a first time. I think way too much about this stuff!! I guess that's what happens when life throws you a doggy curve ball :D

Good luck Bianca......I hope the cholodin helps. If not, weigh up the benefits/side effects of Prozac and endep and discuss them with your vet. They work differently on the brain, and depending on the assessment of the route cause of Molly's reactivity, one may be a better first choice than the other. Good luck with Coopers appointment too. You certainly have a bit on your plate at the moment

Wow! That's great for Stella......and you! You are fortunate to note such a significant shift in such a short space of time......as I recall, Stella started on meds after my fellow did? There are improvements with my boy, but our recent trip to Sydney for a follow-up with the VB showed just how anxious he still is. He has improved at home in regards to a decreased startle response, quicker recovery and less ceaseless restlessness, but he is still very much an anxious dog underneath. Stress is cumulative for him, so by the time we arrived home from a three day trip to Sydney he was out of his mind and took 24 hours to recover. I knew the trip would take it's toll on him, and in hindsight I probably should have just skyped the appt, but I thought it was important for the VB to see him under the same circumstances as the inital consult to assess what kind of result we were getting with the meds.........live and learn hey.

Hi Bianca. Just wanted to say that my boy has been on Prozac for 10 weeks now. He is also on Trazadone. We are about to increase his Prozac as the combination of drugs seems to be helping but we need to see if the Prozac can do the job alone (and hopefully better). You are absolutely doing the right thing for Molly, just keep in mind that Prozac takes 6-8 weeks to reach therapeutic levels, and getting the dosage right can also be a matter of trial and error. Hope Cooper is doing well too?

I am also not thrilled with Petplan at the moment. I put a claim in 6 weeks go for $2300 - actually 3 claims - 2 conditions / 3 vets. I also made sure everything was in order before sending it. I called last Friday to hear that they were waiting on my vet to send my dogs records. When I called the vet they said they sent them the day they were requested. Call back to Petplan and they don't have them! So now the vet has had to resend them, so they haven't even entered stage two of the process yet! Not to mention my dog has been insured since he was 9 weeks old and he is now 18 months, neither condition could have been pre-existing 9 weeks, both conditions are covered under the policy, and his dual diagnosis is the only time he has been to the vet outside of vaccinations! I'm not exactly sure what they think they are going to find in his records that would affect the claim?? I am also sitting on a further $500 in meds and an additional specialist visit to the tune of $400 that I need to claim but can't now until the original claim is processed as they are follow-on claims! I'm not happy, but also know that my dog may need treatment throughout his life for both conditions and Petplan is the only insurer I know of that doesn't exclude conditions after the year in which diagnosis occurred.

Did you have the collar on high up behind the ears and very, very tight, so tight it might seem too tight? You should only be able to slip one finger under it. This was my original mistake. We are on our third one now and I notice the difference immediately....I also noticed that they start to lose their potency towards the end of life.

Hi snook. We've found the adaptil collars to be good. The best thing is that they last a month and stay on the dog all the time. There is knack to making sure they are tight enough though. I thought it didn't work until vet behaviourist told me it was just too loose....tightened it up and relaxation was instant!

+1 for that advice.....

MontyMonster. I have been reading your thread at the same time I was having my young dogs hind end stiffness looked into....he has been diagnosed with mild HD and we have just completed 4 weeks of cartrophen too. I can completely sympathise with your devastation. Hope the cartrophen helps your boy. We are also on joint guard for life most probably......has your Vet talked about supplements?

Hi BC Crazy. Don't feel bad about seeking out advice about the suitability of medication for your dog. Some dogs can really benefit from it. For example, dogs that suffer from anxiety, which is a medical condition just like diabetes or epilepsy. If your dog had diabetes, would you avoid medication until you had exhausted all positive improvements from diet? Or would you use medication and diet together to get the best outcome for your dog? For dogs with an anxiety disorder, the use of medication can be a crucial part of the behaviour modification process......not that I am saying that is Stella, just that sometimes medication is warranted......and not even as a 'last resort'. I wish I hadn't waited as long as I did to see a Vet Behaviourist ...... Your description of Stella always being on edge and her anxiety escalating really quickly rings a bell for me too. It was described to me in terms of red, orange and green zones - my boy spends little time in green and lives at the top end of orange, which means he dosen't have far to go to escalate into the red zone. Medication and relaxation protocols are helping us to spend more and more time in green. :D

Hi. We did the ADCQ basic course and then continued to train at the club. The basic course teaches basic obedience and foundation agility skills, as well as team work with your dog. Includes instruction on shaping, targetting and pivot boxes. I highly recommend the course and club. Good Luck!

It is a recent find and yes, we are VERY lucky! It provides a break from leash walks which are exhausting for me (and unpleasant for him I am sure) as we spend the entire walk doing counter conditioning and keeping focus on me rather than the many things that upset him in the environment. I came across it quite by chance one evening while dropping some DVDs back and driving there a different route. :D Shame there isn't anything in your area BC Crazy.

I found a huge dog park near us that is floodlit at night!! I take my nervy dog there at 7-8pm and we have the place to ourselves. It has been a godsend to be able to give him the physical exercise he needs as a young high energy dog.

I live across the road from a little park in a quiet little estate (40 houses tops) and am there everyday with my dog. As I picked up his poo yesterday I walked past 4 other piles! Seriously, how hard is it??! Our kids play in that park too. It is also often only my OH that stops me yelling out car windows at people who do not pick up their dogs poo as I drive past .

+1. Seems like an owner who is acting responsibly and in the best interests of his dogs. Also, I have 3 dogs, 2 friendly and one nervous with strangers. If you asked if you could pat them I would also say no they aren't friendly, even though two of them are - by the time you are 5 metres and closing on my nervous dog I wouldn't take the time to explain the difference. My nervous, sometimes reactive dog has also been well socialised and is well trained, but genetically anxious.......your assumptions may not be correct about these dogs. :)

I second this one. It is brilliant!

I just bought one for my sensitive boy today. Came home, put it on him and within 10 mins he was lying calmly on the floor. He hasn't t even been for his afternoon run yet! He usually has ants in his pants and only stops pacing if put in a down stay on his mat and reinforced periodically. Can't wait to see if it helps with his fear of new people too!

That's great Jackie...glad I could help.