Introducing Bhakti

[kristen_acri]

Hi all -- it's been a long time since I've introduced a new dog! Almost a year after Charlie died I tried to foster. Hah! I brought in a sweet dog who had been fostered by one person with another dog then almost adopted by another family with another. It turned out that over the jealousy and competition for attention settle in between the two dogs. So he came to me and I fell in love and now I adopted him. A familiar story, right?

Bhakti is fearful of all new and unexpected things and he has separation anxiety. He feels safe in my house when it's quiet and in my yard for the most part. His response is to shut down and hide.

I'm looking forward to engaging again on the forum and posting his progress.

Kristen

 

[Dr. Christina]

Welcome Bhakti!
What are some of the ways you will begin, Kristen?
Which of the heal the anxiety speakers is grabbing you?

Start a journal with great photos?
Dr. Christina

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Some easy possibilities include flower essences, EFT, and Tellington TTouch. Things like WEBB, acupuncture, and chiropractic can be useful if there are physical imbalances. There are many calming herbs, but for a dog like Bhakti, you want to address the root of the problem, not just band-aid over the symptoms.

Some of this can also be addressed by homeopathy, maybe a great deal of it if there's vaccinosis--but how do we know what's genetic/epigenetic/personality, vs. past experiences/traumas/medical treatments/etc.? Working to show them that life isn't scary and people can be trusted is the best path.

Behavior modification is really important, and greatly enhanced by adding holistic anti-anxiety therapies. Here's a nice science-based article by Dr. Sophia Yin touching upon it: https://cattledogpublishing.com/blog/separation-anxiety-solution-training-fido-that-calm-behavior-makes-you-return/ It's an older article because Dr. Yin is no longer with us, having been so horrendously bullied online that she took her own life. She was absolutely brilliant and I've never found anyone better.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Working to show them that life isn't scary and people can be trusted is the best path.

Behavior modification is really important

Yes! Unconditional love (no reprimands, just gentle suggestions), behavior normalization and homeopathy are turning Maya (our new rescue) around.

As I work with Aubrey (the behaviorist) I realize that this form of therapy is really an application of the Happiness Protocol.

The biggest advances that Maya has made have been by identifying her greatest loves (food and playing with other dogs) and using them as a bridge to help reduce her fears and shape her behavior.

The most dramatic example I've seen so far is when the "Active Dog" people came to evaluate Maya. When they emerged from their truck, she was trembling, afraid, cowering, and trying to hide. As soon as Lenny the dog popped out of the truck, they started playing. With Maya smiling wildly and showing no signs of fear.

BTW-If you'd like to consult virtually with Aubrey, you can reach her here:

https://clickwithyourcanine.com/insert-about-me-title/

 

[kristen_acri]

Oh my, I love all of these responses. I'm so grateful for the all of these ideas.

@Dr. Christina -- I started tracking BEAM and listing what I thought might be symptoms right away. Some of the things I tracked helped me figure out what his schedule would be about going outside, specifically to have bowel movements. And he seems to be really active and demanding around 8:30 every night. So I can say my journaling started in September and continues! I feel really drawn to Tellington TTouch so have been listening to past Empower Hours on this topic and re-listening to other behavior Empower Hours that I attended and adding to my notes. I've been using Lisa Spector's music when I have to leave him alone. I have a camera on him so I can see where he goes and how frequently he is active. I'm also transitioning to a better diet. As I'm writing this I'm realizing it's a lot!

Kristen

 

[kristen_acri]

Some easy possibilities include flower essences, EFT, and Tellington TTouch. Things like WEBB, acupuncture, and chiropractic can be useful if there are physical imbalances. There are many calming herbs, but for a dog like Bhakti, you want to address the root of the problem, not just band-aid over the symptoms.

Some of this can also be addressed by homeopathy, maybe a great deal of it if there's vaccinosis--but how do we know what's genetic/epigenetic/personality, vs. past experiences/traumas/medical treatments/etc.? Working to show them that life isn't scary and people can be trusted is the best path.

Behavior modification is really important, and greatly enhanced by adding holistic anti-anxiety therapies. Here's a nice science-based article by Dr. Sophia Yin touching upon it: https://cattledogpublishing.com/blog/separation-anxiety-solution-training-fido-that-calm-behavior-makes-you-return/ It's an older article because Dr. Yin is no longer with us, having been so horrendously bullied online that she took her own life. She was absolutely brilliant and I've never found anyone better.

Thank you @Dr. Jean Hofve! I've been using Nervous Dog and Separation Anxiety essences from Jackson Galaxy. No surprise, right? Tellington TTouch is what I'm highly interested in so was happy to see you included this as one of your suggestions. Yes...getting to the root of his issues is my goal. I'm trying to build his confidence. Lots of play, games, and scent work have helped our relationship and his comfort in my house and in the yard. I would love to walk with him although he can play with dogs he knows in a familiar dog park so that's a nice activity for him now. I really appreciate the link to the article by Dr. Sophia Yin. I have a friend who is a vet, she educated me on the high number of suicides among vets. It's heartbreaking.

Thanks again, I'll be reporting on our journey together.

Kristen

 

[kristen_acri]

Yes! Unconditional love (no reprimands, just gentle suggestions), behavior normalization and homeopathy are turning Maya (our new rescue) around.

As I work with Aubrey (the behaviorist) I realize that this form of therapy is really an application of the Happiness Protocol.

The biggest advances that Maya has made have been by identifying her greatest loves (food and playing with other dogs) and using them as a bridge to help reduce her fears and shape her behavior.

The most dramatic example I've seen so far is when the "Active Dog" people came to evaluate Maya. When they emerged from their truck, she was trembling, afraid, cowering, and trying to hide. As soon as Lenny the dog popped out of the truck, they started playing. With Maya smiling wildly and showing no signs of fear.

BTW-If you'd like to consult virtually with Aubrey, you can reach her here:

https://clickwithyourcanine.com/insert-about-me-title/

Yes! Unconditional love (no reprimands, just gentle suggestions), behavior normalization and homeopathy are turning Maya (our new rescue) around.

As I work with Aubrey (the behaviorist) I realize that this form of therapy is really an application of the Happiness Protocol.

The biggest advances that Maya has made have been by identifying her greatest loves (food and playing with other dogs) and using them as a bridge to help reduce her fears and shape her behavior.

The most dramatic example I've seen so far is when the "Active Dog" people came to evaluate Maya. When they emerged from their truck, she was trembling, afraid, cowering, and trying to hide. As soon as Lenny the dog popped out of the truck, they started playing. With Maya smiling wildly and showing no signs of fear.

BTW-If you'd like to consult virtually with Aubrey, you can reach her here:

https://clickwithyourcanine.com/insert-about-me-title/

And @Dr. Jeff, thank you so much. I'm continually grateful. I thought about and have referred back to the Happiness Protocol often over that last few months. It's helpful.

I haven't had any more play dates with my neighbors grand dog in my yard to test that out. Bhakti was so fearful in their yard just next store. I have blocked the one access point where Twist could have sneaked through so that's not a concern anymore. I would love for a dog like Lenny to visit us.

Bhakti is motivated by food but I can't really say highly motivated. Enough though that he'll work for it. He likes routine for sure and he like the scent work games. He's proud of himself and show it when he does the 'right' thing. Such a sweetheart!

I'll be scheduling an appointment with you soon.

Thanks again!
Kristen