Discussion
Any advice anyone could give please would be great.
We have a 'collie' that is in reality a bit Heinz 57, he's 9 this year and has had a fairly normal life, not a rescue etc. He's always been a bit of a nervous one but recently it's become a lot worse. He has always been terrified of hot air balloons and nervous of the wind and gun shot. Recently he's become a terrible at night, in the recent storms he went under the bed and pulled everything out, nothing would relax him. Airplanes, normal airliners have become a real issue and last night just being windy had him panting like mad, crawling under the now empty space under the bed and dragging pillows and blankets around. We have purchased 30 days worth of one a day treats designed to help with nervousnes but are looking for any ideas. When younger he was tried with a plug in feromone thingy and did nothing. It's getting to the point I'm concerned about his quality of life as day in day out he's finding something to be a panting worrying mess.
We have a 'collie' that is in reality a bit Heinz 57, he's 9 this year and has had a fairly normal life, not a rescue etc. He's always been a bit of a nervous one but recently it's become a lot worse. He has always been terrified of hot air balloons and nervous of the wind and gun shot. Recently he's become a terrible at night, in the recent storms he went under the bed and pulled everything out, nothing would relax him. Airplanes, normal airliners have become a real issue and last night just being windy had him panting like mad, crawling under the now empty space under the bed and dragging pillows and blankets around. We have purchased 30 days worth of one a day treats designed to help with nervousnes but are looking for any ideas. When younger he was tried with a plug in feromone thingy and did nothing. It's getting to the point I'm concerned about his quality of life as day in day out he's finding something to be a panting worrying mess.
Edited by sfella on Thursday 20th August 09:57
Ours was like this until our flat coated retriever joined our family! That may be a bit extreme for you.
We found Bache flower remedies helped. Rescue remedy after an incident and Aspen would help the shakes.
Have you tried playing one of the tapes of noises. At a low level to start with, to try and lose the fear of the various noises?
Collies can be such sensitive dogs and it is truly heartbreaking to see them agitated.
Good luck
We found Bache flower remedies helped. Rescue remedy after an incident and Aspen would help the shakes.
Have you tried playing one of the tapes of noises. At a low level to start with, to try and lose the fear of the various noises?
Collies can be such sensitive dogs and it is truly heartbreaking to see them agitated.
Good luck
I am not an expert, however we have two rescues which like all dogs have their own issues.
- Make sure when they are stressed/nervous/barking you are relaxed if yourself, if them being nervous or anxious makes you nervous and anxious then they pick on this hugely and it becomes circular fast. Setup the house/room so that even when they are going a bit mad, you are the model of perfect calm (actually are calm, not just trying to act it) and move and talk calmly to them, and don't fret or try to 'make' them not anxious.
- Our lurcher is a bit nervous or fireworks, and we find playing the radio helps a lot, doesnt really matter what but we tend to go with something a little calm in tempo, as well as something we will enjoy!
-The ms has bought the feromone plug in thing (twice now) and I have not noticed any discernible difference myself, although it is super hard to know if it helping or not.
Daniel
- Make sure when they are stressed/nervous/barking you are relaxed if yourself, if them being nervous or anxious makes you nervous and anxious then they pick on this hugely and it becomes circular fast. Setup the house/room so that even when they are going a bit mad, you are the model of perfect calm (actually are calm, not just trying to act it) and move and talk calmly to them, and don't fret or try to 'make' them not anxious.
- Our lurcher is a bit nervous or fireworks, and we find playing the radio helps a lot, doesnt really matter what but we tend to go with something a little calm in tempo, as well as something we will enjoy!
-The ms has bought the feromone plug in thing (twice now) and I have not noticed any discernible difference myself, although it is super hard to know if it helping or not.
Daniel
Trophy Husband said:
Same thing happened with my collie at about the same age. Turned out he was losing his hearing and his register had changed and he only picked up lower frequencies which are all pretty scary. Just a thought.
Thank you for all replies, this is what I think may he the case as he isn't as responsive when called. Will look into all suggestions,the companion one is a good idea as we will always have a dog or two but would quite like our next two to be the same age and of our current dog is decling feel 2 pups/new dogs may be a bit much for him.sfella said:
Thank you for all replies, this is what I think may he the case as he isn't as responsive when called. Will look into all suggestions,the companion one is a good idea as we will always have a dog or two but would quite like our next two to be the same age and of our current dog is decling feel 2 pups/new dogs may be a bit much for him.
Maybe consider a younger but not too young dog? For many years, my parents had a series of one older and one younger dog, they found that getting a youngster perked up the older dog. I get what you're saying about dogs of similar ages, but that does have disadvantages when they reach a certain age (I speak from experience, having lost 3 out of 4 in an 18 month period) 
It does sound like he has become more sensitive to noise, and collies do seem to be particularly prone to this. But it might also be worth considering a vet visit, in case something else is going on, such as dementia. Even if that is the case, there are supplements available that can help (eg Aktivait).
We have just got a new 1yo rescue, our other dog is 10 now (had him four years) and we bit overlap is nice, typically the older dog help a lot teaching the new dog, and you get a bit of dog continuity.
That said, you do then have two dogs. More space in the car, slightly harder to walk or go on a run single handedly, two to spend time with an fuss and clean after a muddy walk, two mouths to feed and water, and as we work during the day, double the dog walker cost. Fortunately we love them both!
That said, you do then have two dogs. More space in the car, slightly harder to walk or go on a run single handedly, two to spend time with an fuss and clean after a muddy walk, two mouths to feed and water, and as we work during the day, double the dog walker cost. Fortunately we love them both!
Trophy Husband said:
Same thing happened with my collie at about the same age. Turned out he was losing his hearing and his register had changed and he only picked up lower frequencies which are all pretty scary. Just a thought.
Good thought, wouldn't have thought of that, but makes a lot of sense. Might not be it, but might be. Definitely for the cost, a trip the vets is well worth it for this sort of thing imo. Hiya
Sorry about your dog, it's very stressful when they are unhappy.
Any sudden changes of behaviour/worsening of a problem /new behaviours should always first have a vet check before trying to 'treat' yourself.
If your vet rules out any physical issues then he may prescribe something to help. And I'd seek the help of a behaviourist (not a general trainer) probably even a vet behaviourist.
The tablets (especially if they are the ones I am thinking of which are ALL over Facebook right now) have no clinically proven efficacy of the so called 'active' ingredient. Neither does CBD oils.
A lot of people have success with either Zylkene, Adaptil Express Tablets and also adding Chamomile flowers to food.
But first stop is your vet. Good luck
Sorry about your dog, it's very stressful when they are unhappy.
Any sudden changes of behaviour/worsening of a problem /new behaviours should always first have a vet check before trying to 'treat' yourself.
If your vet rules out any physical issues then he may prescribe something to help. And I'd seek the help of a behaviourist (not a general trainer) probably even a vet behaviourist.
The tablets (especially if they are the ones I am thinking of which are ALL over Facebook right now) have no clinically proven efficacy of the so called 'active' ingredient. Neither does CBD oils.
A lot of people have success with either Zylkene, Adaptil Express Tablets and also adding Chamomile flowers to food.
But first stop is your vet. Good luck
We use YuMove joint supplement which is excellent. When I bought some recently I noticed the company (Lintbells) had expanded the range to include a supplement for Stress Relief. On the basis their other stuff is good, it may be worth a try.
https://yumove.co.uk/collections/dog/products/yuca...
Good luck!
https://yumove.co.uk/collections/dog/products/yuca...
Good luck!
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