Rescue dog so anxious - how to help ease this?

[Septemberintherain]

We rescued our lovely dog, 8 weeks ago today so obviously he hasn’t been with us for long.
He is almost 2 and was purchased as a 7 week old puppy and then put into a crate for 12+ hours a day, no walks and the owner didn’t have a garden so the poor might was unaware there was even an outside world.
I believe the owner surrendered him to the rescue centre when he was about a year old.
They worked so hard introducing him to the outside world. He was petrified of his harness and lead, didn’t know how to go for a walk, hated cars, was absolutely petrified of the vets etc.
They rehomed him earlier this year, the family had him for about 3 months but sadly returned him. I don’t know the full details but it’s something to do with him ingesting something (he eats anything he can get hold of), needing to go to the vets to have it removed and then reverting to his previous ways which they just couldn’t handle.
So he went back to the rescue, they worked with him more and then we adopted him early September.
He isn’t too bad considering what he’s been through but there are a few issues we need to help him with.
I have spoken to the trainer the rescue used but some of her suggestions haven’t worked. I can’t afford to pay for a behavioural expert atm so will need to sort this out ourselves.
One of the issues is his anxiety and stress.
When he is at home during the day with just me or one other member of the family (dd has been on half term this week and he’s been fine), he is calm and quiet. However, as soon as the evening/weekend comes and the whole family are home, he becomes very agitated and hyper. He will bark continuously, tear up his bedding, our cushions and throws etc, basically anything he can get his teeth into (I put away as much as I can but obviously can not live in a complete minimalist house!).
He gets much worse during the weekend when we are all home.
We are a quiet family, not loud and don’t have many visitors.
He is not at all aggressive, never shown any aggression and has a lovely personality but the poor mite is just so very anxious and so many things seem to trigger his stress levels.
We also have issues with cars. He has this over excitement/anxious behaviour regarding cars and so we’ve not yet been able to travel far with him. I have tried opening all the car doors and not putting the engine on and just letting him explore the car but he jumps in over excited, jumps from seat to seat, yelling and trying to bite into them!
He also bites doors and door frames as we are going out (weirdly, never as we are coming back in). He has stopped doing this in our home but when I’ve tried to take him to my mum and dads who live nearby, he gets so agitated and bites into their doors (front and back, not internal doors). I’ve obviously stopped taking him there for the time being.
When he’s very anxious, like this morning, he barks constantly, which is not great as we are semi detached.
I really am not sure how to help calm him. Like I say, we are a quiet family, I try to keep his walks and his routine consistent and haven’t changed things around but he is so very up and down with this agitated behaviour.
I know it’s because the poor love has been shut away from the world as a pup and he needs slowly introducing to everything. He probably thinks all cars and new people are coming to take him away, again!
I have started him on some herbal anti anxiety tablets (valerian and scullcap) but not sure if they will help? I can’t take him to the vet because of the currently car issue!
Other than a consistent and quiet routine, I’m not sure what else to do.
Any suggestions?

He’s hyper anxious today and has been barking from 8am this morning.
I believe it’s because ds has just purchased his first car. It’s in the back of our property behind some gates at the bottom of the garden. Our dog knows it’s there and has been barking, excessively ever since.
I wonder if he thinks the car has come to take him away?

The barking drives me insane but then I look at this face and melt.

Firstly congratulations, he is gorgeous. Secondly have you tried drops? I was recommended them by the vet for one of mine who has a severe anxiety of ironically the vet himself. The other is also a rescue and came to us in a bad way. Unfortunately we have not found any way even with a behaviour therapist to stop his anxiety and he is really bad, trembles when there are loud noises about so you can imagine it is fun here this halloween. I guess I am also following in case someone else comes on with tips but all we do here is hold him really tightly till his shaking stops and in recent months he has actually gone from hiding under the couch to staying with us on the couch albeit still trembling. I have him 4 years.

Oh he is beautiful! What a sad start to life! I think he’s partly bored and, when people come over, he gets over stimulated. What about giving him a snufflemat - put his food on that / onto a lick pad and that will help stimulate him / exercise his brain. Do you have friends who have small, calm dogs you can dog walk with? My dog is super anxious (he was attacked badly as a pup), so we have lavender calm collars and you get get dog calming plug ins which release calming scents. I would persist with walking near roads, but do it gradually. Start with less busy roads and offer lots of praise and special, high reward treats. I took my dog to a behavioural therapist (it was £160 for an hour) but honestly it helped me see things through this eyes. My dog loves a ball (he’s a fidget) - does your dog like a toy he would see as a reward when on a walk? You need to give him lots of praise when he listens to you - he will learn. The poor thing, he is absolutely beautiful!

Also, what about dog training classes? That would help with social interaction and will tire him out with getting him to learn commands. Keep going, OP - you can do this in small, steady and consistent steps. He’s lucky to have found you 💐

With a car you just have to keep going. My rehomed screamed for months. Sitting on a knee (strapped in) helped and getting a Car seat where he could see out out of the window

lots of short trips to nice places

lots of toys and pizzles (Hollins from Amazon /other sellers now really expensive post pandemic)

Sorry but ignore all the above posters suggesting taking him to classes and out in the car.

Your dog needs a lot of time to decompress. Do not introduce him to more dogs or more situations. Get him calm and relaxed at home.

I would speak to a vet and the behaviourist from the rescue and discuss medication to help his anxiety. (initlally a phone consult may be useful or the vet connected to the rescue can help)

Do not add more to his already over aroused brain.

You may need to be realistic that this is a long term issue and will not be a quick fix.

You may want to sort this out yourself but it does sound like it needs professional help.

Hemp oil or CBD oil can do wonders for anxiety and stress. They don't work with every dog, but I have seen several go from hyper anxious to chilled, and it doesn't impact on personality or energy levels. You need to consistently use them it for 2 / 3 weeks before you can definitely tell if it is having any effect. Use hemp oil first, and if that doesn't work you can move to trying CBD oil. Look for one that incorprates Omega 3 - it good for the coat and also calming. My dog has got more scared of fireworks (the shaking uncontrollably, scared to go out, terrfied and hiding) after an incident in the summer, and two weeks of hemp oil has him back to barely blinking when they go off (necessary because where I live they go on, and on, and on...)

If cuddles are calming (again, they aren't for every dog) a thundershirt may help too - you can buy / make cheaper ones but the branded one has a money back guarantee if it doesn't help.

It sounds like he is super anxious and overwhelmed tbh. Skullcap and valerian can really help, as can lemonbalm, rescue remedy and an adaptil collar. I'd keep his world very small and consistent until he is less anxious and more able to cope - unless he is very active I'd stop walks for a few weeks even as it sounds like transitions are very triggering. He might benefit from a timed feeder to give him a small amount of food through the day if he has anxiety about food supply. I got one for my current foster as she has 10 meals a day due to her low body weight and the consistency has definitely helped her calm down about food supply.
One of my former fosters was an anxious barker who had been rehomed a few times. He needed all the herbs to help him come down from the very high level of worry, and 18 months into his life with his new mum he is off all of them though he still will get thrown off by changes. It is a long term commitment to a dog like this and takes everyone in the house to buy into the dogs therapy

I'vedonethisthreetimesalready is right. You have only had this poor traumatised rescue dog since the beginning of September -barely two months. With the right approach, he will slowly start to improve but it could take about two years (or a bit more) for him to become totally relaxed and confident. He does need to decompress. You say that he starts to get more anxious when the family are all at home in the evening and although I am sure you ARE a quiet family, the noise and activity level will obviously have gone up with more people being gathered together and chatting to each other (possibly voices slightly raised from time to time a bit) after a day with one or two people only. Also, the car thing and the biting doors things sounds to me as though he is very alarmed by the circumstances and is biting something to try and get it all to "stop" as he can't cope. Biting doors when you are going out (but not when you are coming in) is separation anxiety and a properly qualified behaviourist should be able to help you with this. If at all possible, he needs a quiet space (particularly when more people are at home) to which he can retreat and be left alone while he looks on from his safe space. I expect he enjoys calm unhurried interaction with one or two people but more is overwhelming at the moment. It would be good if you could limit his having to get near or in a car for several months while he learns to cope with all the other new things about having a home and new family. I've got a rescue and she is a very good girl but was super anxious when she first came to me and didn't calm down and slow down for about the first three months as she was very anxious and jumpy. She then improved further over the following 18 months until she became much more confident. Even now, when I have had her for 5 years, she is still nervous of a few things/situations (especially with lots of people around her).

@Igglepiggleslittletoe My previous ex-Greek street dog was terrified of fireworks (most Greek country dogs and cats are, because "hunters" take potshots at them). She NEVER got used to them and I used to have to stay awake, lying on the floor next to her and hugging her until they stopped. She was a big girl but would shake like a leaf and pant and try to climb into the wardrobe. However, the vet did give me some calming pills (don't know what they were but a couple of years later they weren't allowed to prescribe that particular medication any more), which just made her sufficiently lethargic to ignore bangs. It sounds as though your dog is getting a bit braver than at first but it might be worth asking a vet in case they can prescribe something.

Thank you everyone for your advice and help, I’ve taken notes on everything.
mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork, thank you for your advice, everything you say makes total sense. We did have a crate for him as his safe place, it was a fabric type/travel one but as soon as he became anxious he would try to rip it up. I was a bit concerned that as he had been made to stay in a crate, every day for around 12 hours a day, another crate may represent bad times? I have thought about getting a traditional metal crate and covering it to make it a safe feeling area and obviously never shutting the door but am nervous it may be a negative thing for him but can not see any area of the house that could be his safe area other than a crate. I suppose I could get one off marketplace, cheap and see if it helps him.
Ideally, we would hire a behavioural specialist but our financial situation has changed recently and we just don’t have the funds right now so need to work this out ourselves.

Could you just construct something 3-sided (doesn't have to have a top) and cover it with blanket so he has a little enclosure that he can retreat into? I envy those people who have a small understairs area without a door that makes a good dog cave. I agree, he shouldn't be shut in after his horrendous start in life. I've just had a very quick Google about separation anxiety and the link below is the first thing I've come up with - worth a look (mine is a Battersea dog and I think they are very good). Though there must be lots of other sites with advice too. Also, I meant to say before - I have a radio playing Classic FM at a lowish volume all day in my parrot's room, which the dog has access to and when I am out they can both hear that and seem to find it calming (parrot shouts at me if I forget to put it on in the morning). It certainly helps deaden the sometimes scary outside noises a bit when they are left alone.

www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-care-advice/stressed-dog-care?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjK6_ro2G-wIVkMLtCh3YVwmyEAAYASAAEgIbxPD_BwE

Your insurance should cover the behaviourist or the rescue should be supporting you

Ideally, we would hire a behavioural specialist but our financial situation has changed recently and we just don’t have the funds right now so need to work this out ourselves.
I’m sorry OP, we’re struggling too but having had an anxious rescue in the past you do need to work with a professional. You don’t know what you’re doing at all, and with all the contradictory information out there you could end up doing more damage. Check your pet insurance, ours had 6 months free behavioural training. We did need an official diagnosis from our vet. A prescription for Prozac also really helped. It wasn’t covered by the insurance but in extreme cases it can work wonders. I think you need to at least speak to the vet about this too.

Agree with @Ivedonethisthreetimesalready

A behaviourist will be covered by your insurance (but do check). They can prescribe anxiety medication. It has helped my rescue be calm at home. It takes long time we are now 6 months on it (and a year rehomed) and he is slowly getting better outside. I'm also working with a gentle trainer . It took me a while to stump up but now I see it as part of the costs of having a dog. Also adaptil collar definitely helps him.

There's a great book 'stop walking your dog' has lots of at home confidence building training which has helped our bond which then helps with everything else .

Also find a vet that does home visits
And insurance that covers a behaviourist and the following medication. Before you start down this road !

Don't even start on separation anxiety training til he is much much calmer

Hi
Id look on his behaviour as stress related. If he gets to the point when he is frenzied biting you have pushed past his threshold.
Heres what I would do.
Hold back feed the night before- just a little less. In the morning use a good high value treat like beef or chicken- tiny pieces. Walk him to car on lead, reward as he goes to car. Walk away, 3 or 4 days of this. Then introduce to the car, same thing, treat for calm behaviours. If biting or shaking happen then stop and go back. This is how you desensitise.
For the family drama Id train him on a great tug toy that he can chew pull and rip on so you are displacing the stress into exciting play. Toy only comes out for stress.
Basically you are looking to reframe stress with fun, treats and toys.
I think you are doing a great job but moving too fast with too many things. Pick one thing to crack slowly.

Forgot to say Id be looking at 6 months of work to reassess then.

I completely agree with @Ivedonethisthreetimesalready
I've only had mine for two weeks. In the first week he was happy enough at home if a little anxious, but on walks he was madly over exited (in a very quiet environment), and also so keen to get back home as soon as he could recognised where we were.
I read up on how to settle a rescue and all this decompression that they need to do.
This week we've stayed at home, and I've only taken him out in the garden, for as long as he wants. He still doesn't want to stay out too long, he wants to come back home, inside, but it's been amazing to see the change in him and how much more confidence he's gained in just a few days.
When you think of it they've had so many changes and uncertainty in their lives, every time something new crops up they wonder what is happening to them, hence the anxiety and strong reactions, they are triggered and scared. They need time to settle and trust that your home and family are permanent.
We'll wait for him to be ready for walks, building up slowly.
The car is probably a huge trigger too as every time there was uncertainty and changes there probably was a car first.
For you OP after four months it's quite hard not to expect to have normal activities, but the less stimulation the better. Maybe we'll have to protect them from their demons for a really long time. Good luck to you and your pretty boy OP.
PS/ I'm sure you doing this already but don't show him any interests when he barks, turn your back to him, leave the room, etc. do not reward barking with treats, etc. he is still so young, he will learn.

Thanks again for the advice, all taken onboard and will incorporate the tips into our day to day routine.
Sadly, our insurance doesn’t included behavioural therapy.
Can anyone recommend an insurance which does?

Anxious rescue dog lives in our home too, and although I would not change her for the world, it has been difficult at times. We did have a period of 12 - 18 months when she had YuCalm tablets on recommendation of a vet, which did reduce her anxiety around the home, and for the most part she is very happy, gentle, loving and settled in her surroundings. The behaviour lady at our vets gave us one free phone call, which included some useful insight - she told us not to feel guilty if we don't walk our dog as the walk itself with all the additional stimulus can be too much for some dogs, certainly it is for ours. We have a metal crate at home which we never close and she finds this a really useful place of retreat, they do often come up cheap on FB so definitely worth a try. We can now manage short car journeys with her after many attempts, meaning we regularly visit a secure dog field which is so good for her although I really miss the dog walking side of pet ownership. Her petrified reaction to cars (prams, scooters, bikes etc etc) is so extreme and has knocked me off my feet before, meaning from a safety point of view for her (but mainly for members of the public) that being out walking around vehicles is just not viable for us.
I hope your situation improves and you find a way that suits you and your family best while accepting this may not be the usual 'normal' model of dog ownership.

Have you had rescue animals before or any experience of having dogs or cats in general?

Because I don't quite get how you are surprised that the poor thing is anxious and nervous. it is to be completely expected and it will take him time to adjust and trust again. Just like a human who has gone through serious trauma would.

I would also question the wisdom of the rescue centre for placing this dog with a big family, quiet or not. He should have gone to an experienced owner that is used handle animals with some behaviour issues and within a smaller household and possibly not one with children. He should have spent time in a foster home with an experienced carer first before being rehomed.

Anyway that's another discussion, so, back to the current situation you need to understand that this will take time and not expect instant progress.

Take a step back, there is no need to try to put him a car (unless he has to go to the vet). Start by taking him out into the garden and for small walk at the quietest times of the day. Then in a few weeks try again to do a very short car journey. Also make sure he has space to be on his own in the evenings and let him come to you when he is ready.

Basically small steps and understanding that he is not going to behave like a normal dog right now.

I had a tricky rescue cat who spend a week under a bed before she trusted me enough to investigate her new environment. Then weeks where I regularly got bitten and scratched when she felt stressed. Then after a few months she became more of a regular pet, although she never lost some of her grumpy behaviour and I still got the odd scratch. Never bothered me but I have always had animals so I understand that you need to have patience.

PetPlan will cover behaviour issues.

Do be wary of things being seen as preexisting health issues; if he has seen the vet for anything beforehand then they will be excluded from cover when you switch. Obviously don't mention the behaviour issues until after you've switched.... there's also normally a 14 day (I think - do check) waiting period until you can claim.

Many pets top cover has covered my behaviourist and medication no probs.