Bach's Rescue Remedy

3918 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by rmillstein, Jun 3, 2008

MarleysMom

Discussion Starter · May 29, 2008

I've done a little research on this all-natural flower essence for dogs. Does anyone have any suggestions, comments, or concerns about this remedy for shy, newly adopted dogs?

Marley wont' really let me hold him or come close to him too often. He is adjusting (and eating and pooping now)

but still rather hesitant to just chill in my lap as he did with his foster mom. I Know it's not his personality to "not like affection" or "not want to be held" because I saw how he acted at his foster's house. But I just am trying to be patient and understanding that it will take some time for him to come around.

Thanks

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Turned

· #2 · May 29, 2008

I have used it both for my poodles and for me. It was recommended by my vet...
It did wonders for Carlo and Sergio when we were travelling and when We lost our Silver female, Carlo would not eat and was so moody and withdrawn for weeks. The rescue remedy worked very quickly for him...once I learned about it.

MarleysMom

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 29, 2008

Do you rub it directly on his ears or the top of his head...or do you administer it orally (through his water?)

Do you know the best place to buy it?

Thank you for your feedback!

Turned

· #4 · May 29, 2008

Rescue Remedy

you can buy it on the web, just google Bach's Rescue Remedy, or any health food store should have it. I bought both the spray and the drops. when I used the drops in his water, he didn't like the taste of it. So I use the spray. i just spray 2 bursts in his mouth. twice a day.

rmillstein

· #5 · May 30, 2008

This suggestion may not work, and I'm sure some might say it's the wrong thing to do, but I would try putting the dog's bed next to your bed.

The reason I suggest this has to do with my own experience with my miniature poodle (who is also named Marley!). My Marley is also a rescue -- although he didn't quite go through the trauma that yours did, still, this is his third home. The first night we got him home was a bit rocky; we told him to go to his bed and he went out and stood in the hallway! (That broke my heart). We eventually got him settled down next to our bed, though, and we went to sleep. I had to go to work the next day, and then meet some people at a cafe afterwards. My partner joined us at the cafe with Marley in tow. There was a whole group of people there, but Marley immediately came up to me, even though he hardly knew me. And the only thing I can think of is that by having us all sleep together in the same room, he knew that we were a "pack." We had a house guest later that week, but although Marley liked her, he didn't attach himself to her the way he did to us.

So, maybe this is all hogwash, but it's worth a try, anyway, I'd say.

But be patient. We were told that it takes 6 mos for an adult dog to adjust fully to a new home, and that was about right -- but we've noticed adjustments even since then. It does take time, but it is ever so worth it. Hang in there.

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Turned

· #6 · May 30, 2008

rmillstein said:
This suggestion may not work, and I'm sure some might say it's the wrong thing to do, but I would try putting the dog's bed next to your bed.

THIS is an absolue must. If you study the "pack" mentality.... of which dogs and wolves have ingrained in them. they start out as part of a pack..(liter) and then are separated. This is the main reason they cry when they are taken to a new home. In a pack they sleep together and have a pecking order. Everytime a dog gets moved to a new home, he has to figure out the pecking order and wonders why his old pack didn't want him. (I know there may some of you who don't believe this - but it's true) I mad the same mistake when I brought our first poodle home. I put him in our masterbathroom. While it was just a down the hall, the poor little thing cried all night. I was distraught. I went out and bought a books, researched the net, went to the library, called my breeder, etc.
(Michael vick was required to take a class on the physiology of dogs - they have the same emotional makeup as humans) The next night, I put him in an Xpen in our room next to our bed, with a large clock and a stuffed animal - he slept the whole night through. (the clock's ticking similates the heartbeat of other dogs, mother, etc., Dogs are very social they do not like being left alone, especially at night.

MarleysMom

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 31, 2008

Update on marley

Thank you all for your great advice!! I actually haven't even had to use my Bach's yet. The night I went to purchase the Bach's from a local pet store I got some GREAT advice from the owners. In just three days Marley is now wagging his tale when I walk in the front door...licking my hand...playing with his toys and acting so full of life! I actually got a kiss on the face today!!! He's even sit in my lap for a few minutes!

So thank you for your advice!

rmillstein

· #8 · May 31, 2008

MarleysMom said:
Thank you all for your great advice!! I actually haven't even had to use my Bach's yet. The night I went to purchase the Bach's from a local pet store I got some GREAT advice from the owners. In just three days Marley is now wagging his tale when I walk in the front door...licking my hand...playing with his toys and acting so full of life! I actually got a kiss on the face today!!! He's even sit in my lap for a few minutes!

So thank you for your advice!

That's great news!!! So, what was the advice that the pet store owners gave?

MarleysMom

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 1, 2008

They said dont look him in the eye. I started giving him treats w/o looking at him.....and it totally worked wonders! I did not know that that was a sign of aggression. They gave me some samples of organic/all-natural dehydrated chicken treats that he really liked.

I am having a little trouble with him at night. I don't know if it was just last night...but he kept coming into my room and whining then jumping around. I tried letting him out at 4am...that didn't work. But he won't sleep in the pet bed next to my bed? I can't figure it out. He hasn't ever done that before. I think he's just lonely out in the living room alone. He has a little cubby in my entertainment center w/ a blanket and all of his toys--but I think he just wanted to play.

Maybe he'll get used to sleeping in my room?

T o d d

· #10 · Jun 1, 2008

MarleysMom said:
They said dont look him in the eye. I started giving him treats w/o looking at him.....and it totally worked wonders! I did not know that that was a sign of aggression. They gave me some samples of organic/all-natural dehydrated chicken treats that he really liked.

I am having a little trouble with him at night. I don't know if it was just last night...but he kept coming into my room and whining then jumping around. I tried letting him out at 4am...that didn't work. But he won't sleep in the pet bed next to my bed? I can't figure it out. He hasn't ever done that before. I think he's just lonely out in the living room alone. He has a little cubby in my entertainment center w/ a blanket and all of his toys--but I think he just wanted to play.

Maybe he'll get used to sleeping in my room?

That's not a problem that's a sign of him wanting to be around you more

Our vet and others have told us to have the crate / bed in your room when you sleep so they are around you, and if you put them in during the day for a couple hours or while you are doing dinner or something it needs to be within the same room or at least near or they will whine and beg to get out as they want to spend time with you.

Turned

· #11 · Jun 2, 2008

Now that is interesting. Our trainer tells us not to look away from Carlo. he says a "stare-down" contest with him means he is challenging us.. If we look way that means he wins and he is top dog.
anyone else have thoughts on this?
but I definitely can see a big difference between Calo and sergio. Sergio keeps his eyes down and his head a little tilted down. Carlo's head and tail are always up, straight and tall just as though he is ready to take the ring. (he is not a show dog, but comes from two champion parents). Sergio never has stare downs with us and is the most obedient and loving dog. Carlo is very standoffish and aggressive.
i'd really like to hear what others think.

rmillstein

· #12 · Jun 2, 2008

Turned said:
Now that is interesting. Our trainer tells us not to look away from Carlo. he says a "stare-down" contest with him means he is challenging us.. If we look way that means he wins and he is top dog.
anyone else have thoughts on this?
but I definitely can see a big difference between Calo and sergio. Sergio keeps his eyes down and his head a little tilted down. Carlo's head and tail are always up, straight and tall just as though he is ready to take the ring. (he is not a show dog, but comes from two champion parents). Sergio never has stare downs with us and is the most obedient and loving dog. Carlo is very standoffish and aggressive.
i'd really like to hear what others think.

Our trainer told us the same thing. But it may be that whereas staring down a dominant dog shows that you are dominant, staring down a more passive dog just scares the you-know-what out of the dog. So, I don't know enough about MarleysMom's dog to know if it is dominant or passive, but if the dog is being friendlier now, that is a good sign. On the other hand, I'd be a little worried about the 4 am visits. That's a behavior you definitely want to discourage! I'd give the dog a firm "no," and then try again to get him to sleep in the same room (use "go to your bed" or "good night" or whatever). That nice blanket and toys that the dog likes that are in the living room ... those could be moved to the bedroom at night.

[Our poodle is definitely on the dominant side, but we've got him to the point where he (mostly) listens to us. Even so, though, he gives us a lot of eye contact. Part of that seems to be his obsession with knowing what we are doing or going to be doing at every moment of the day].

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T o d d

· #13 · Jun 2, 2008

Good information I heard the stare-down thing too and do it with moose so he knows. He listens to me in the house 100% and if he's bad and someone calls me by my name to get him he will drop what he's doing (wrong) and sit down KNOWING I am coming. Out side moose is a little more free spirit and I`m working on him to be more obedient, it's really to many distractions for him right now hopefully it changes with age. He is NOT dominant at all with anyone but he likes to look at us like "hey what's up".

How is he doing since your last update on his eating treats? Hopefully it only gets better

MarleysMom

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 2, 2008

Marley is going great! Every day I see a little more improvement! I tried bringing him in my room and taking his blankie and toys and putting them (and him) all in his pet bed. I shut my bedroom door and just went to bed. He wandered around for a few minutes, but eventually he did get in his bed and slept the entire night through! I plan to ignore him (or give him a firm "NO, Marley") when he gets up in the middle of the night wanting to play!

As far as the eye stare debate....I do think it differs from a passive, scared, or abused dog to an aggressive more dominant dog. Now I can look at Marley, but that initial looking away helped me gain his trust.

Next we're working on potty training! He's really pretty good at it! Easily distracted outside, but he's a really really great dog! Love him dearly!

Thank you all for the great advice and encouragment! I always made fun of my dad for totally loving forums...but now I'm a believer!!

rmillstein

· #15 · Jun 3, 2008

MarleysMom said:
he's a really really great dog! Love him dearly!

Excellent news!! You seem to be "over the hump" with him. Here's to rescued poodles named Marley!

-- the other Marley's Mom

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