How to Reduce Fear in Your Pet
Fear is an emotion we and our pets experience in our brain which often leads to not so helpful behavior responses.
When the behavior is mild it's not problematic.
However, for some pets (and people) stronger fears can lead to problematic behavior.
Cats nearly always retreat and hide.
As small animals, flight is their more practiced response.
Dogs as a species have a broader array of fear responses - both flight and fight.
Flight - passive - responses include:
Your dog may have a preference for flight/passive or fight/aggressive responses but each dog is capable of both.
If you think about your own fear responses, they're often much more powerful than the situation calls for.
In other words - the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
So to stop the behavior (reaction), stop the fear (stimulus).
Sounds straightforward but visiting the Vet is important and you can't control thunderstorms and fire crackers.
All true.
But there is a way to decrease the fear of all those things...
Bach Flower Essences Bach Flower Essences are not aromatherapy as one might guess with the words "flower" and "essence".
In fact they don't smell like flowers at all.
They're created by infusing the flower in a solution of spring water and a preservative - usually alcohol.
They work on an "energetic" level to balance emotional imbalances.
Dr.
Edward Bach was a conventional doctor in the United Kingdom.
He believed emotions influenced disease...
that disease was the result of imbalances or negative emotions.
He studied homeopathy and then developed a "healing system" using specific flower essence tinctures that balance certain negative emotions.
There are 38 different Bach Flower Essences.
Each targets a specific emotional state such as fear, anger, apathy, loneliness, despair, over sensitivity, uncertainty.
Although Dr.
Bach's primary focus was people, the Essences were also used with animals.
In fact Dr Bach's assistant - Nora Weeks - was quoted in 1942: "Animals suffer from moods in the same way as human beings,...
The Remedies help man and beast alike".
Bach Flower Essences are gaining popularity with pets.
Actually, because pets can be more attuned to the remedies they often work very well.
Additionally because they're totally safe with no side effects there's no risk like there is with pharmaceutical drugs.
And they're very economical.
Bach Flower Essences For Fear These Essences can help your fearful pet:
Rescue Remedy is a combination Dr.
Bach created.
(The only Bach Flower Essence combination sold).
It combines Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Clematis and Impatiens.
Rescue Remedy is a great Essence to try with a fearful pet.
Regular Rescue Remedy uses an alcohol preservative.
Rescue Remedy for Pets and Rescue Remedy for Kids do NOT use alcohol.
(They use vegetable glycerine as the preservative.
) If you're using Rescue Remedy ahead of a trip to the Vet (or any other specifically stressful event), you want to start dosing about 45 minutes prior to and dose two or three times.
During a thunderstorm or some other traumatic situation you can dose every 5-20 minutes until you see a desired effect.
Again, there are no side effects.
Optimally you want to drip 4-6 drops into your pet's mouth.
They don't always cooperate.
Some other strategies include: * putting the drops into your palm and having your pet lick them * rubbing it into their ear flaps, paw pads or on their gums * sprinkling drops onto a food treat Bach Flower Essences are easy to use, economical and safe.
Give them a try with your pet.
You'll both be happier.
When the behavior is mild it's not problematic.
However, for some pets (and people) stronger fears can lead to problematic behavior.
Cats nearly always retreat and hide.
As small animals, flight is their more practiced response.
Dogs as a species have a broader array of fear responses - both flight and fight.
Flight - passive - responses include:
- run, escape or hide
- remain still and get in a low-to-the-ground and small position - "play dead"
- shake and tremble all over
Your dog may have a preference for flight/passive or fight/aggressive responses but each dog is capable of both.
If you think about your own fear responses, they're often much more powerful than the situation calls for.
In other words - the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
So to stop the behavior (reaction), stop the fear (stimulus).
Sounds straightforward but visiting the Vet is important and you can't control thunderstorms and fire crackers.
All true.
But there is a way to decrease the fear of all those things...
Bach Flower Essences Bach Flower Essences are not aromatherapy as one might guess with the words "flower" and "essence".
In fact they don't smell like flowers at all.
They're created by infusing the flower in a solution of spring water and a preservative - usually alcohol.
They work on an "energetic" level to balance emotional imbalances.
Dr.
Edward Bach was a conventional doctor in the United Kingdom.
He believed emotions influenced disease...
that disease was the result of imbalances or negative emotions.
He studied homeopathy and then developed a "healing system" using specific flower essence tinctures that balance certain negative emotions.
There are 38 different Bach Flower Essences.
Each targets a specific emotional state such as fear, anger, apathy, loneliness, despair, over sensitivity, uncertainty.
Although Dr.
Bach's primary focus was people, the Essences were also used with animals.
In fact Dr Bach's assistant - Nora Weeks - was quoted in 1942: "Animals suffer from moods in the same way as human beings,...
The Remedies help man and beast alike".
Bach Flower Essences are gaining popularity with pets.
Actually, because pets can be more attuned to the remedies they often work very well.
Additionally because they're totally safe with no side effects there's no risk like there is with pharmaceutical drugs.
And they're very economical.
Bach Flower Essences For Fear These Essences can help your fearful pet:
- Aspen - for vague fear
- Mimulus - for fear of a specific thing (such as thunder)
- Rock Rose - for very intense fear, a state of panic
- Star of Bethlehem - for a state of shock or trauma
- Cherry Plum - for fear of losing control, trembling
- Clematis - for withdrawal
- Impatiens - for patience
Rescue Remedy is a combination Dr.
Bach created.
(The only Bach Flower Essence combination sold).
It combines Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Clematis and Impatiens.
Rescue Remedy is a great Essence to try with a fearful pet.
Regular Rescue Remedy uses an alcohol preservative.
Rescue Remedy for Pets and Rescue Remedy for Kids do NOT use alcohol.
(They use vegetable glycerine as the preservative.
) If you're using Rescue Remedy ahead of a trip to the Vet (or any other specifically stressful event), you want to start dosing about 45 minutes prior to and dose two or three times.
During a thunderstorm or some other traumatic situation you can dose every 5-20 minutes until you see a desired effect.
Again, there are no side effects.
Optimally you want to drip 4-6 drops into your pet's mouth.
They don't always cooperate.
Some other strategies include: * putting the drops into your palm and having your pet lick them * rubbing it into their ear flaps, paw pads or on their gums * sprinkling drops onto a food treat Bach Flower Essences are easy to use, economical and safe.
Give them a try with your pet.
You'll both be happier.
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