Advice desperately needed - nervous rescue

[littledid]

Background: We have always had rescue dogs so I thought I was pretty aware of their needs. Adopted a rescue from Eastern Europe coming up to two years ago. She was six months when she arrived and all we know is she was rescued from a 'kill shelter' with her mother and litter at around 6 weeks. I have seen videos of her as a puppy happily running around with her pack and she was described as 'loving and affectionate'. She spends most of her with me now as I WFH but will spend time at my mother's too if I have to go away (the odd night). I have three children who adore her as much as she adores them. We live in a very rural area so don't have many passers-by or encounter other people or dogs on our walks.

The issue is this - she is nervous beyond belief and I say that as someone who has had nervous dogs before. Although she spends time with me and trusts me (I think), if I so much as walk past her with anything, she flees across the room. This can be a box, a charging cable, a pile of clothes - anything unfamiliar. She is an absolute nightmare when we have visitors and will bark, growl or simply go into panic mode, urinating or defecating as she does so. If somebody stays, she will look more settled, but constantly has one eye on the visitor and will fly if they move or stand up. At the weekend, she went for my ex-partner and nipped at him agressively as he just stood there. I am at my wits end with her as she is the most loving of dogs when she is with us but introduce anything new into the mix...

I would really appreciate any advice you have. She lives in a calm environment is very loved and I want to help her. I am torn between continuing to try to socialise her and lead a 'normal' life, but at the same time reluctant to have people round as she appears so aggressive and traumatised at the same time. I tried training classes but she was in a such a heightened state of anxiety during the classes that even the (very experienced) trainer admitted she had never seen such a nervous dog and we gave up. She also goes for other dogs, despite seeming to have lived quite happily with other dogs in her early life. Is it time to call in a behaviourist or is there something I am missing with how I am dealing with it all?

I'm sorry for such a long post. Please feel free to ask any questions if I haven't been clear about anything.

Have you seen the vet for anti anxiety medication? That would be my first job followed by the behaviourist. I doubt you'll fix her but you might be able to learn some techniques to lessen her triggers.

Valerian would help to calm her and can be given daily in the form of biscuits. Drops and tablets.

Have a look on Amazon for different types and reviews.

I use Benefits Goodnight on firework night, they are fantastic. A friend with an over excited rescue has used these with great success -

Pooch & Mutt - Calm & Relaxed, Natural Dog Treats (Wheat Free), Healthy and Low-Calorie, Pack of 6 amzn.eu/d/2YtGebP

No, I haven't as I thought it was more of a behavioural thing, but I definitely will. so thank you. I can't go on as she is and it must be horrific for her too.

I've got a highly strung and nervy sprocker, and we use Nutripaw calming treats for every day, and then if we go on holiday we have to get Prozac from the vets as she gets in such a state.

We did puppy classes, but the trainer was very experienced with nervous dogs and was such a help in getting me to accept that's how she is rather than trying to make her braver if that makes sense. She loves to crawl under the bed in the spare room if we've got visitors, and will hide until everyone has gone!

Thank you. I guess what I am concerned about is papering over the cracks, so to speak, without really solving the issues (if they are solvable!) I'll look into the link. I may also get an Adaptil diffuser although I wasn't convinced when I used one with a previous dog.

It's good to hear medication can make a difference. And it makes perfect sense about not wanting to make her braver but just accepting that's how she is. I may have to adjust my mindset a bit, but I can't help wishing at times that she was just a little more sociable

It's not papering over the cracks. You need to get her to a place where she can be receptive to any training. Look up trigger stacking.

we had a dog medicated and saw a behaviourist it's like a human taking medication and having therapy st the same time, your poor dog what our behaviourist said was to talk to him when we were coming into a room or like your dog walking past with something, so they know you are coming and their minds distracted so they are not quite as scared of "the thing".

I really think you should speak to a professional though ask your vet first and see how it goes the dog sounds like its stacked with anxiety.

Before trying anything from Amazon you really need to go and speak to your vet.

My anxious beagle is on NutriPaw calming treats and they've helped him massively but they're not suitable for extreme anxiety so you may need to look at the canine equivalent of Prozac.

A dog on medication can be a changed dog - especially if it brings them below threshold and allows them to understand their training properly - good luck!