Has anyone tried CBD for their dog’s anxiety?

[Backtothe80splease]

Our rescue dog will be 4 in November. We have had him for almost 2 years.

He suffers from a lot of anxiety due to his background (he was crated as a 7 week old and never removed from the flat where he lived, they never walked him or didn’t have a garden). So for the first 12+ months of his life he was unaware there was a world outside of that flat. We also believe now that he was abused too. We have worked with several behavioural experts and have spent a small fortune on him. He is also on fluoxetine which is costing around £60 per month.

The problem is that unless he is at home and has a solid continuous routine, many, many things will set off his anxiety (but he is a very happy and contented dog at home when it’s super quiet and no one visits). Just a simple car journey to walk somewhere different, going on a holiday in a different environment (we have a touring caravan) or meeting anyone new in his life will trigger a lot anxiety in him.

He will go into such a frenzy when stressed or triggered that it is almost impossible to implement the things the behaviourist have taught us. We obviously train him at home when he is relaxed but once triggered it’s like a meltdown situation and it’s nigh impossible to get him to come down from it easily. Sometimes I think we will be destined to never be able to take him anywhere other than his normal walks in our village and staying at home.

At first we thought the fluoxetine was helping (he’s been on it 7 months now) but it seems to be having little effect now and we are looking to wean him off and see if he is any worse off them.

Previous to this I had tried every natural product under the sun (under the guidance of the behaviourist attached to the rescue centre) but nothing helped.

I haven’t tried CBD though and have read good things about it. I am hoping to get him relaxed enough (although that may be wishful thinking) on them be able to bring in the training during times when he is out of his comfort zone. Without him being relaxed enough it seems an impossible task.

We are having to now do this alone without help as personal circumstances means I have had to reduce my working hours so money is too tight for behavioural therapists and our insurance doesn’t cover these services.

Has anyone used CBD on their dog? Did it help at all?

Personally I wouldn't do any drugs for dogs. But everyone has to do what is right for them.

I think you have already made huge progress by getting him to walk in his home surroundings.

Keeping this in mind, I'd take him once or twice a week out of his comfort zone... maybe walk a different route- or just pretend. ... watch him like a hawk he'll give you many signals before going into a frenzy. Once he's on edge, stop count to 10 turn round to where he's comfortable. The key is, be unpredictable, so you go a different route ect. because routine and predictably is his comfort (and for 90% of all the other dogs)

With the motor home I'd do similar. Get him comfortable inside. Then go for a little drive and arrive back home. Once he's happy with that go for a drive to a familiar spot. Open the door let him decide if he wants to go out. Once he's happy to go out, try an unfamiliar spot. Open door or look out of the window and go home.

Once he's comfortable with you driving anywhere, park up and open the door. Get your chair & his bed out and encourage him to join. No force. If he doesn't come just put something irresistible on his bed ...you can slowly move yourself & bed further away from the motor home.

He'll get there, but it will be a long slow process...

PS sorry about the long essay!
So he's some more:
I have had mistreated anxious dogs before and found taking them back to puppy playing the best way to drawing them out.
So if he's not dog reactive and you know someone who has a young puppy (around 16 weeks ideally)* maybe you can arrange playtime.

• age because puppies just come out of a little fear stage so will be cautious rather than exuberant and boisterous.

Not for anxiety, but use CBD for my dogs arthritis with good results

OP I could’ve written this post myself.

Ive been thinking about CBD oil so am following this thread with interest. Our trainer spoke very highly of it but couldn’t ‘officially’ recommend it. My dog is also on fluoxetine and one thing I will say is £60 is far too expensive. You’re likely using Reconcile? Mine has bog standard fluoxetine and it’s £11 a month. You can get the prescription from the vet and purchase online for a fraction of the price you’re paying.

Thanks, I didn’t realise you can get it cheaper online. Do you have purchase the prescription from the vets?

KhakiShaker

Can I ask where you get them for £11? I’ve just googled and can’t find any at that price.