- Jul 10, 2015
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The problem is that we have had very unpredictable weather this summer.That makes total sense and I completely understand where you’re coming from! And you definitely don’t want to be having a permanently drugged dog or masking a bigger problem but that said, I do think that the medicine could actually potentially help for training purposes too. It might help to take the edge off so that you can continue to work on desensitizing her without her totally freaking out, you know? I think it might help her to really progress because she will be better able to focus on you and the training/progressing/learning that it’s not scary without her body backfiring on her and sending all these unnecessary fear signals. And then maybe you can eventually take her off of it or wean off but I do think it would be a good stepping stool to help move forward with the training and start making more progress or finally have a breakthrough or whatever. Obviously you don’t want to have her on it forever or full time but I do really think it could be a great stepping stool and start for her. Even if she was just on it for like a couple weeks or a month or something while you work on training and then after that only as needed or something. Maybe on a low dose at first so she’s not like “drugged” but enough to calm her down, take the edge off, and make progress?
But that said, it does seem like you are making some pretty good progress already with the thunder shirt and crate! Glad that is working out. Does she seem to have calmed down a bit or made some progress since she’s been there with you guys? Seems like she has? That’s good if so.
I do think it might be a little easier to train her though or I guess reach her without her getting to that state you said she gets which is where I think meds could help her but obviously not necessary and I don’t normally advocate drugging dogs and definitely not every dog but in this case, where you say her threshold is so low, and she gets in such a state she won’t hear you, that they could be helpful for her. Because obviously training in that state is nearly impossible and there’s not going to be much learning going on when the dog is that wired.
Although that said, have you tried any CBD products with her? That might be another thing that might be able to take the edge off a bit without having to resort to drugs.
Also, how much exercise does she get? I’m sure you know this already but sometimes upping the exercise can really help anxious dogs too. Although of course in her case she’s severe enough I don’t think it would do much but still, you never know.
Or even possibly trying to let her get some intense exercise/running in and get her really tired before trying to train and desensitize? That might help too because she will be too tired to be anxious lol
Sorry, I am sure you know or have tried most of these already. But just trying to be helpful hah
Right now it’s thundering in the distance but it’s not going to rain. If I had drugs, I wouldn’t be comfortable dosing her, even though she’s shaking and on edge.
CBD isn’t an option.
She gets plenty of exercise. She will not leave the house if she thinks it’s going to rain.
I know she isn’t. I just know some dogs it seems like they can never get enough!! LOL 
I’d hide upstairs or downstairs or in different ones, have even hid in the garage or yard before, and make him find me lol that’s a fun one and good for reinforcing recall too. 
I thought she did yesterday but I wasn't sure exactly whose it was. But today I know for certain she did. I'm so happy! Hopefully the broody urge has passed for her. 
As for Daisy, I just don't know what to make of her. She laid an egg today. She sat and sat yesterday. Slept in the nest box again. Shooed her out first thing this morning but after going potty, eating and drinking, back in the box she went. She did lay a small little egg and then continued to sit for a few hrs. Finally got up and went outside. Now she is back in the coop, sitting on 2 fake eggs. I tried having a talk with her. She just fluffed and and complained at me. But I wanted to make sure there weren't any other eggs underneath her lol. I wonder if her broodiness will pass like Priscilla's did. She seems worse than Priscilla was but maybe personality can have something to do with it. Priscilla never fluffed up or complained at me. But she is pretty calm and friendly. Daisy is a bit more skittish around me. Idk. I'm going to keep an eye on her and if it persists, I guess I will try to break her of it. No unauthorized incubators here. 
