Something to calm small dog

[Downtherefordancing]

Is anyone aware of a product I can buy that will calm a dog for a few hours?

We will be going on holiday soon and will be in the car for 4 to 5 hours and he (Pip) will be doing lots of barking, which is already worrying me.

Can I buy anything over the counter that will chill him out for a while? Or maybe I’d need to ask the vet?

Try skullcap and valerian (but make sure you do a trial run first). They are great at reducing anxiety

I would consult a behaviourist and stop the barking. Your dog is distressed. Sooner or later you will be so distracted you have an accident and the insurers won't be sympathetic.

We used to use Dorwest Valerian tincture for ferry trips, which seemed to work well.

Have a look at Zylkene as well. It’s made of certain milk proteins and you start it a couple of days before the event you want them to be more relaxed for. I’ve used it to gradually introduce an anxious dog to kennels and for an elderly dog who developed anxiety as part of cognitive decline. It doesn’t effect a sudden, massive change in the dog, but it definitely seemed to help mine cope and be more relaxed. (I tried it the first time when it was recommended by my vet.)

I agree with @Spanielsarepainless as well though. It would be worth a consultation with a behaviourist to assess his reaction in the car and get some advice on what you can do longer term to help him.

This obviously isn't going to be the magic bullet with all, but how do you travel him in your car? Although it's contrary to how WE feel - we would rather give them more room to move etc. - dogs often feel more secure and travel far better when they are fairly confined.

I have proved to several friends that their dogs will travel better when caged by taking owner and dog out in my car, showing them a dog that was previously very anxious in the car settling down and travelling absolutely fine, with no anxiety.

If you don't already crate in the car, and if you can fit one in, I would recommend trying it if possible.

Why is he barking in the first place - anxiety, excitement, frustration or maybe a mix of all three?

You need to find out what's triggering the behaviour before you can tackle it.

There are over the counter products you can try, but if your dog is likely to be really upset they might not be enough. There are a few good options your vet can prescribe that may work better if your dog is likely to be extremely anxious on this trip.

Thanks all for the replies.

He just gets very excited. Usually when I put him in the car it is for short journeys to take him for long walks somewhere nice. He isn’t upset or anxious. Just excited.

And he won’t bark all the journey. He’ll realise after 30 mins or so that this is a long trip and go to sleep.

I just wondered if there was a product which would chill him out slightly.

Thanks all again 😊

Our DDog was like this then we started giving a chew that lasts about 10-15 minutes. Once she's finished chewing she's usually calm.

make going in the car boring. Put him in the car drive around go home. And repeat.

MIL has an excitable dog. She tried these petscalmdown.co.uk/products/herbal-natural-calming-dog-treats and they worked. Might be worth a shot. She gives her Labrador them if she knows people (doggo loves people but gets the mega zoomies) are coming round or he's got a long car journey ahead (he loves a good car bark).

Thanks PeopleWatches, they look really good. We are back from holiday now but I will get them for next time. 😊

Training can fix it. Work on his down stay. Do you have a family member that can bring small treats and hold on to his leash? Practice the down stay in the house, then in the parked car. Then practice on a 5 minute drive.

Give him a treat every few seconds for holding the down, then lengthen the time between treats. If he gets up, use a treat to get him to lay down again, but don’t give it to him until he’s held it for a few seconds. For most dogs, a down stay is incompatible to barking.

I think someone else has mentioned scullcap (I think Dorwest sell this) and Valerian. Also JP holistic sell a calming remedy for cats and dogs, might be worth having a look at that.

There is also CSJ Calm Down as well as Truehemp treats abd Herbal dog Company Calming Drops