how to calm my dog

[fatgaz]

i have just taken in a rescue dog and at the moment its quite nervous its very active and pants alot when we go out in the car and i have tried to clip its nails (which i have done befor on my other dogs), i have asked my vet about how to clip his nails, and they have said they can sedate him, i am not a big fan of drugs so can anyone suggest a herbal or homeopathic sedative to calm him down

many thanks

[showe68]

Have you tried to lure him with treats to make it a positive experience? Do you have someone who can help you hold him down and try giving him a treat while you clip the nails?How old is the dog? If it is a young dog, you can try handling his feet frequently while giving him treats so that he sees it as a positive experience - and then try the above suggestion. Good luck! My puppy doesnt like it either and we have to have two people doing it with treats.

[kittenlittle]

When I got my Battersea Baby, they said it can take up to a month to settle in. I would spend time getting to know your doggy and try to avoid car trips for a couple of weeks, and maybe leave his nails for a few weeks too?

[LaLa1705]

Good for you for taking on a rescue dog, I have 4 and it can take ages for them to settle in so things like nail clipping usually have to wait until the dog is confident in you and his new home, could take up to 8 months if he has issues.If he is very active then give him tons of exercise,miles and miles of walking as this will ensure he is more relaxed at home., it will help you bond too to be out and about.He could be panting in the car for all sorts of reasons, some dogs just don't travel well.Try just letting him sit in the car for a few minutes a day when the car is stationary, don't make a big deal of it, then work up to maybe 20 mins then turn the engine on etc and build up his tolerance. Same with his nails,when he is properly settled in in a couple of months just gently try to clip 1 nail a day,make it a calm and nice experience with treats straight away after a nail clip before he forgets whats' happened. The most important thing is that he learns to trust you and he settles in so put non essentials off for a while, and nail clipping is non essential, as long as he can walk ok then they can wait.Good luck with him.

[Carakeel]

I used to have an Irish Setter who was a lovely, even calm boy ... until I had to do his claws or there was a thunder storm brewing! I used a product called 'Serenium' which I got from a pet food store. It is a bit like valium and calms the dogs down, not as much as a medical sedative, but it does make quite a difference in some dogs. It is a safe herbal remedy I can really recommend, but I'm not sure it is available everywhere. I don't think it was very expensive either. Good luck!

[fatgaz]

thankyou all very much for taking the time to reply, your sugestions have been really helpfull

once again thankyou