dogs nervous

[TealSwan]

can anyone recommend some dog chew tablets for a nervous dog. thanks

You can't just pill your way through this. Speak to a behaviourist and your vet. You need to rule out a medical cause (pain) and also why it's happening. You can't and shouldn't just try and drug your dog.

First post nails it.

Without knowing what your dog is nervous of, no one can really advise.

Fireworks? Yes there are medications that can help or even just planing music and closing the curtains.

Nervous of life? Poor dog needs someone knowledgable working with him, and if that doesn't help, then PTS. Dogs scared of everything are not happy and no one should be drugging their dog to prolong a miserable existence.

Half the 'over the counter' type tablets that you can get without a vet prescription are just a con anyway...

Have you tried desensitisation and counter-conditioning?

The fix to a nervous dog is NOT drugs
Occasionally we will advise them alongside behaviour modification, but not stand alone unless for a very specific one off (eg sedate for vet visit)
Your dog likely needs help and understanding, not medicating

Can you say what desensitisation and counter culture involves please as my dog has a similar problem which manifests in lots of barking (you might have seen my recent post) Sorry to jump on your post OP.

In the majority of instances of dealing with 'nervous' dogs, the owner is doing something that is making the dog appear nervous.

In simple terms counter conditioning is when your dog reacts to something, you give them a high value treat. Over time this changes their emotional response to the stimulus.
For example, my rescue dog was scared of a tyre rope swing hanging in the woods. I drip fed him treats as we walked past. Each time he needed less treats. One day, he came running up with a big smile on his face. I said, "What?" And he turned and looked at the swing and turned back to me for a treat. So instead of the swing making him scared, he associated it with somehing good(food).
Desensitisation involves starting at a distance from the object that the dog is comfortable with and gradually getting closer as they become less fearful.

It can be very effective, but must be done at the dog's pace. It's not a quick fix.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/introduction-to-desensitization-and-counterconditioning

@SpanielsGalore That's a lovely post and I'm glad your dog is happier about the swing (and treats!) now.

My rescue dog was afraid of everything - men with beards, bin bags, walking sticks, skate boards, water, hi viz, grey hair and a particular tree in our local park when she came to us.

We helped her with high value treats just as you describe and it's amazing how quickly she relaxed and never looked back. Seeing her grow in confidence is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

@SeaAndStars Same with my rescue sprocker. For the first month or so, cocktail sausages practically rained down on him from above. But when you see moments of progress - a scary thing that took 20 treats one day, only took 2 the next - it makes it all worthwhile.

she's just been to the vets and she was ok she's just a nervous dog that's all.

nope she's always been a little nervous for some reason. but definitely not doing anything to make her nervous, as she sits on my knee most of the time .

poor dog then pts , nothing poor about my dog thank you she's a chihuahua. she has the best food 24/7 goes to vets regularly sleeps in my living room during day then she comes to bed with me in my bedroom. I've had her since 8 weeks old and she's always been a little nervy. vet just said she's a bit nervous that's all wasn't just going to drug her with anything was asking for advice.🤷‍♀️