[Snogmuffin]

Hi I am new to this site. I have a rotti shepherd cross that we rescued 4 yrs. ago. He is a very loveable and loyal guy. He has always been a little scittish, never aggressive. In the last 3 mos. his anxiety has increased. I took him to the vet for some flea control and he would not go through the door. They had to put it on him in the vehicle. I took him to get his nails cut and again he will not go through the doors. The owner tried some treats but he would not budge. He has been to both places many times. Someone told me to try Rescue Remedy, but it did not work. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Snogmuffin

Hi I am new to this site. I have a rotti shepherd cross that we rescued 4 yrs. ago. He is a very loveable and loyal guy. He has always been a little scittish, never aggressive. In the last 3 mos. his anxiety has increased. I took him to the vet for some flea control and he would not go through the door. They had to put it on him in the vehicle. I took him to get his nails cut and again he will not go through the doors. The owner tried some treats but he would not budge. He has been to both places many times. Someone told me to try Rescue Remedy, but it did not work. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have no 'big' answer for you and this may not be a 'total' answer---WHAT DO YOU FEED AND DO YOU GIVE SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS,ETC?? A Shepherd has a problem with getting any nutrients from it's food! (No matter if you are feeding a good diet---but feeding raw would be best). I did a thread in here on the problem that German Shepherds have on getting nutrients. Wish you would go read it. (I decided to paste that thread here for you instead--It is the following post below this post.) I have recently found out that human grade yogurt is not going to work for a dog (even though it is still being 'promoted' as such! You need a pill supplement for dogs--digestive enzyme supplements for dogs! Of course, if the dog is not getting the nutrition it needs---the immune system is not very healthy! I honestly believe that German Shepherds as a breed would live much longer if they could only get the nutrients they need! They have one of the longest (if not the longest, period) list of problems a breed can have and using common sense it stands to reason if they have a compromised immune system that can't fight diseases and other unhealthy things are bound to happen!
----Getting back to your problem--It may be subtle and may take a while--but think it can help some---See that he is getting the nutrition that he can make use of---raw food diet if possible. Supplements mentioned above to try to get the nutrients out of his food. And Vitamin B is a vitamin that is good for the nerves! And a good multiple vitamin for dogs. Make sure you know how much to give--Don't overdo!! Not sure how well he can assimilate/absorb vitamins, etc. unless you are giving the digestive enzyme supplement to aid in this! And this could take a few months (or not) to help as it takes a while to build up in system but on other hand it could start showing a difference right away--few weeks, if he needs it really bad! But doubt if it will be absorbed unless you are giving the digestive enzyme supplement and be sure to give vitamins with the meal--V.B is flushed out easily. It is a water-soluble vitamin and if flushed through on empty stomach--will prob. be gone as soon as dog pees! Need the food to slow it down to be more absorbed----Same with most other vitamins, etc. I would look into supplementing with fish oil too--All dogs can benefit from Omega 3s!Keep us informed on how yor boy is doing. I hope this helps the problem. It is bound to be good for your dog anyway, healthwise for sure!!

[Corky/Max]

Decided to 'paste' the previous post I did on German Shepards here for you as a little easier than you looking for it!:

Attention-german shepherd/and gs mixes

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I feel that it is very important that all of you are aware of the problem that German Shepherds have with being able to get the nutrients from their food. German Shepherds have more 'breed specific health problems' then any other breed. They also die sooner than other breeds. I just know it is because they are not getting the nutrients out of what they eat----which means their immune system is compromised--which means they are susceptible to everything and are not in the best of health--or over a period of time it will break down. (Teenagers who eat a lot of junk and seem very healthy until they get older start having "age-related" problems--not the healthest immune system by now) The immune system 'is where it is all at' I am posting here a post I did back on Jan. 17-09 because I love all dogs and want to see them live a healthier, longer life!!

Came back in here to stress this point--A young dog will prob. not show that it's immune system is being compromised---but when the immune system can no longer function properly, then there may be a breakdown and the immune system can no longer 'protect' the dog from diseases and other probs.---THE IMMUNITY IS GONE!! It may appear that the dog is sick overnight and start going ' down hill' fast! Please make sure your GSD is getting the proper nutrition now---NO MATTER HOW HEALTHY IT APPEARS AT PRESENT!!

Just want to get this info out from a book I have (Earl Mindell's nutrition & Health for Dogs)---German Shepards are prone to a digestive enzyme defiency that causes many intestinal problems, including poor digestion and the inability to absorb the nutrients from foods. Nutrient deficiencies cause a long list of chronic problems, including skin problems, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting. A diet of fresh, raw foods would be all these German Shepards would need to properly digest and absorb their food. For severe cases, there are digestive enzyme supplements for dogs. Digestive enzymes help break down your dog's food enabling the nutrients to be absorbed. Normally, living creatures begin life w/plenty of digestive enzymes, which may be depleted if they are never given any fresh, raw food. The enzymes in raw food do not replenish your dog's reserves as much as they digest a portion of that food so that your dog's body does not use as many.(end of quotes) Of course much of this info is for the good of all dogs!! And a raw food diet is what I feed my 2 cockers.

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[german sheep]

During the last 4 years the dog has made the experience that going to the vet is not the best to do. Maybe connected with pain but for sure with panic and feeling lost.

Because the problem could not be solved from his point of view the problem is getting worse, creeping and step by step growing in the intensity.
Now he has come so far, that he is not able to enter the waiting room at the vets anymore.

This is a ritual that has to be broken. It begins with a complete different parking situation or go to the vet or drive by bus or by train etc.
From leaving the front door at home until you've reached the vet, work with the dog, walking comfortably at the leash some obedience etc so that all the way he is fixed to the leader. Then he can enter the vets rooms. He lays the decision in your hands because he knows the human is right and is able to give safety and can guarantee the survival.

You have to train the situation by the dog doc, so that your dog is not only put to the vet when he needs to. Go to the vets rooms when you train the situation, just go inside and outside, repeat this several times and then you go home.
Always end with a successeful result and then take him back home.

LG
NN

[Lunareclipse]

I always take my dogs to the vet when they do not have to go so they won't be scared when they do have to go. I'll take them in with me when I have to pay on a bill or pick up meds or I'll take them to the vet to make an appointment rather than call. Always afterwards they get some kind of special treat, McDonald's, Wendy's, an extra trip to the dog park.

[german sheep]

That is the right way.
So that no ritual can take place. Otherwise the dog will manipulate its owner, very charmy but they do so

LG
gs

[Lara's mom]

I can't drag my two away from the vets office when we pass it on our travels. They know he always has kittens from one of the local cat rescue organizations on display for adoption and that they always get treats when they go in there. Since they're very fond of both kittens and treats, the place draws them like a magnet!

[Gage Ryder]

hai,

Supplements mentioned above to try to get the nutrients out of his food. And Vitamin B is a vitamin that is good for the nerves! And a good multiple vitamin for dogs.

[MrAndrew]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Always afterwards they get some kind of special treat, McDonald's, Wendy's...

I sure hope you aren't feeding your dogs that garbage:???:

As for trips to the vet when an actual 'vet visit' isn't warranted? That's a superb idea and one that I actually also do.

[Lara's mom]

An occasional treat at McDonalds is not going to kill those dogs!!! She doesn't feed them a steady diet of it!