Controlling, Obsessive and Neurotic Spaniel. Our journey to calmness [7]

We had our vet consult. It didn't go as we hoped. The issue we currently have is that the behaviourist we went to isn't actually a qualified behaviourist which means that she cannot provide our vet with a formal report and make recommendations on medication. At the time this wasn't something we were aware of, but also didn't ask about as we didn't know things would be as bad as they are. The vets will not prescribe anti anxiety meds without a report and recommendation from a behaviourist as they are ones that see the dog in the home and assess them.

We completely understand this but feel so deflated after spending almost £300 to see one behaviourist and now facing up to £600 to see a fully qualified one. It is also the time aspect of things, we have already given 4 months to this behaviourist journey and having to start all over again with someone new is a lot.

Our vet did prescribe Roo some herbal anxiety tablets, vetpro. We were given a two week supply to trial. It is really hard to say whether it has made much difference, she does seem calmer an hour or so after it but it's not a consistent change. She is still barking at noises outside, still pulling on her lead, nose down sniffing everything. If someone comes round it is still crazy barking followed by an over excitement to say hello that doesn't cease. We have tried herbal supplements from pets at home before but the vetpro is meant to be a stronger tablet which you can only get through your vets so it's much safer.

For now we are just taking a moment to regroup. Looking at all our options and trying to figure out what is going to work best for us.

We have just started Roo on CBD oil alongside the herbal tablets as CBD oil does seem to have been helpful for many owners of anxious dogs. Will it work for Roo, who knows.

In a month or two we will probably have to make up our minds on whether we want to go down the behaviourist route again.