Herbal Calming Drops for Dogs - Advice

[Challo]

Just been having a chat with the dog walker about our Springer X. He doesn't like travelling in cars, never has but its worse when he travels without his brother. Normally they both go in the boot the older dog settles, but the younger springer sits up and is constantly anxious.

The dog walker mentioned if we had tried any herbal remedies to help with the nerves during car rides, and even over the firework weekend as he is a nightmare and barks at every bang.

Anyone tried calming products for their dog? Do they work or just a waste of money? These guys are local to us, but i presume there are lots of other brands in the market

https://herbalpetsupplies.co.uk/product/chill-drop...

[super7]

We give one of our Goldendoodles Calmex when there's a storm around..... Not convinced it works!

She shakes like anything if she has it or not

[oddman]

Have always used a crate in cars. This helps manage it. My new pup was showing signs of nervousness around the car so set time aside to address it rather than waiting for when he needed to go in.

If you can use a dog box or crate, you can get the dog used to it outside the car by feeding it in there allowing to spend time and feel safe there. We've always crated our pups so having a similar crate in the car works well. They love going cars because it always leads to fun (apart from the occasional vet visit). I'd be a bit concerned about a high drive dog uncontained in a car I know mine would be 'exploring'. Restriction/containment itself might help with anxiety.

I knew mine would be travelling to vet and puppy class so set 10 minutes a day aside to deal with it before it became a problem...

If indoors is going OK then crate/box in car door/boot open praise and feed treats - next day...

Door/boot closed praise and feed treats - next day...

Door/boot closed turn on engine praise and feed treats - next day...

Turn on engine praise drive a bit forward and back and feed treats - next day...

Drive a few hundred yards praise and feed treats - next day...

You get the picture

I've got no experience of herbal remedies but as a medic who worked as a specialist in mental health I am sceptical.

[otolith]

I think I would try to bore him out of it by taking him in the car a lot - maybe also give him a distraction, toy or maybe a stuffed Kong.

[Nico Adie]

Challo said:

Just been having a chat with the dog walker about our Springer X. He doesn't like travelling in cars, never has but its worse when he travels without his brother. Normally they both go in the boot the older dog settles, but the younger springer sits up and is constantly anxious.

The dog walker mentioned if we had tried any herbal remedies to help with the nerves during car rides, and even over the firework weekend as he is a nightmare and barks at every bang.

Anyone tried calming products for their dog? Do they work or just a waste of money? These guys are local to us, but i presume there are lots of other brands in the market

https://herbalpetsupplies.co.uk/product/chill-drop...

It's not a herbal remedy, but the only truly effective product for one of our dogs who's terrified of fireworks is Sileo. It's pretty strong stuff though so I wouldn't want to be using it on a regular basis. Never had any luck/success with any other product and we've tried pretty much everything with him.

[garythesign]

Our first collie was of a nervous disposition and we used to give here rescue remedy from Bach flower remedy range.

We used to help at a wildlife rescue centre and rescue remedy was used for all sorts of creatures with good effect.

Good luck

[Challo]

Thanks all for the comments.