Why Is She So Scared?

[pastafreak]

This time of the year,every year I've had her...Sally becomes scared and anxious about going out at dusk. Tonight I had to coax her down the stairs so I could put her lead on. Then,once out,she would have been happy enough to just wee and go straight back indoors. I got her...slowly and gently...to the park. Once there,there are paths she won't go down...she'll really dig her heels in/may start shaking. Sometimes I can "trick" her into walking in a different direction,but she's obviously not enjoying her walk.
I have a valerian-based spray that seems to help calm her,but I'm not sure I should be using it all the time.

[paddywak]

It might because it's near to the time of year when the idiots start with the fire works.

[Baldric]

Have you had her from 'New' or is she a rescue?

[Tilly2]

Is she a rescue dog, Pasta?

[Samuraisan]

Your girlfriend Pasta ? Sounds like she needs help.

[Gavmacp]

Why don't you allow her to lead you? Don't try to understand just let it be what she wants.

[pastafreak]

She's a rescue...a whippetx...possibly with another sighthound as she's the size of a small greyhound. She was 2 when I got her....found in a shed,possibly used as a lure in coursing I was told. She is deathly afraid of any loud or sudden noises. Yes...it could be because of firework season.
Gav...I often do let her lead..but making sure she does a pooh necessitates a proper walk.

[woofgang]

pasta, can I suggest that you try melatonin? It has worked wonders on my dogs who are both firework and weather fearful. What happens if you don't walk her? Do you have a garden she could play in?

[pastafreak]

Can you recommend a reliable source for melatonin?
We live in a flat...so the park/local walks are the only option. It's never gotten to the point where she won't go out...but she's definitely cautious.

[woofgang]

I get mine from vitasunn. You want the plain stuff, not the slow release or dissolves in the mouth. If she will take a tablet then get tablets, they also do capsules which can be tipped out and mixed in with wet food or milk or similar that may be easier. my dogs take it happily, it doesn't seem to have any taste or smell. How much does she weigh roughly?

[pastafreak]

I think she's in the 22kilo/45lb range

[lankeela]

Get her eyes checked out too, she may have troubIe seeing in the dark, but wouId imagine its more to do with the dark nights meaning fireworks are going to start again.

[woofgang]

try a 2 mg dose about half an hour before you take her out.

[viv41]

In my opinion, it's definitely the start of the 'firework season'. Good advice from woofgang.

[woofgang]

a further quick comment about how long to use. Mine go on it for the whole of november as the fools round her have got no thought for others and let fireworks off when they feel like it. The weather has been so dire here that they have been on it more or less daily since the beginning of August. I have been using it at need for around 18 months now. I have seen no problems or side effects apart from nuclear gas. Unlike other tablet treatments, the dogs doesn't become dopey or drugged. I now know quite a few people who use this with their dogs and none of them have seen any dopiness or other side effects, most of them have seen an improvement in their dogs' anxiety and stress.

[fairycakes69]

I found a Thunder Shirt helped my dog, he wouldn't go out in the the dark, hated any loud or unexpected noise. He turned into a quivering wreck. Tried the shirt last year and could not believe the difference. Could be worth looking into.
Hope you find something that helps x