Should I bring Muffit to Agility

Muffit has only been in our house now since February 1… what is that… 5 weeks? I think maybe I overestimated his adaptation abilities. Though he was fine at flyball practice, I could tell, just barely, that he was stressed for the next day or two after we got home.

I really want to bring him to the DOCNA trial this weekend to get him out of the house and socialize him and get him into the environment… but maybe I should wait a month or two more. Hrm…

[poll=3]

Of course I’ll make the ultimate final decision but thought I’d make up a poll, too. And avoid any drug treatment that we may have to use afterwards!

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27 Comments

  1. no imageLora [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 10:48 (Reply)

    Poor little Muffit.. I would start smaller with Petsmart and such until he gets a his sea legs a little more. He has been through so much already poor thing.

    Lora’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday

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  2. Lora on 13.03.2008 at 10:48 (Reply)

    Poor little Muffit.. I would start smaller with Petsmart and such until he gets a his sea legs a little more. He has been through so much already poor thing. <em>Lora's last blog post..<a href='http://itsthedogslife.com/?p=190'; rel="nofollow">Wordless Wednesday</a></em>

  3. Lora on 13.03.2008 at 10:48 (Reply)

    Poor little Muffit.. I would start smaller with Petsmart and such until he gets a his sea legs a little more. He has been through so much already poor thing. <em>Lora's last blog post..<a href='http://itsthedogslife.com/?p=190'; rel="nofollow">Wordless Wednesday</a></em>

  4. no imagejan [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 11:33 (Reply)

    I know you’ll make the right decision, but dogs are more adaptable than we sometimes give them credit for. They want to please us so much.

    jan’s last blog post..Belgian Malinois: “Will fight crime for food and fun”

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  5. jan on 13.03.2008 at 11:33 (Reply)

    I know you'll make the right decision, but dogs are more adaptable than we sometimes give them credit for. They want to please us so much. <em>jan's last blog post..<a href='http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle...rel="nofollow">Belgian Malinois: “Will fight crime for food and fun”</a></em>

  6. jan on 13.03.2008 at 11:33 (Reply)

    I know you'll make the right decision, but dogs are more adaptable than we sometimes give them credit for. They want to please us so much. <em>jan's last blog post..<a href='http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle...rel="nofollow">Belgian Malinois: “Will fight crime for food and fun”</a></em>

  7. no imageJohann [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 12:31 (Reply)

    Maybe you could park or crate far in a corner away from the major activity and still take him, working with him from at a distance, as a start? I did that with Gracie and then she really wanted to be in on the action, a lot faster than I had thought she would…

    Johann’s last blog post..Hurray for Firefighter Odom!

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  8. Johann on 13.03.2008 at 12:31 (Reply)

    Maybe you could park or crate far in a corner away from the major activity and still take him, working with him from at a distance, as a start? I did that with Gracie and then she really wanted to be in on the action, a lot faster than I had thought she would… <em>Johann's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/JohannTheDog/~3/24...rel="nofollow">Hurray for Firefighter Odom!</a></em>

  9. Johann on 13.03.2008 at 12:31 (Reply)

    Maybe you could park or crate far in a corner away from the major activity and still take him, working with him from at a distance, as a start? I did that with Gracie and then she really wanted to be in on the action, a lot faster than I had thought she would… <em>Johann's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/JohannTheDog/~3/24...rel="nofollow">Hurray for Firefighter Odom!</a></em>

  10. no imageAstrid [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 12:33 (Reply)

    You should bring him out and walk him around the area and see if he shows some signs of being afraid. Would he be ok in the car by himself? That way you don’t have to bring him inside, which might be to much. There is more barking at Flyball, too and the vibe is different then at Agility. And no loose dogs. How about some T-Touch on a mat?
    Hope to see him soon!

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  11. Astrid on 13.03.2008 at 12:33 (Reply)

    You should bring him out and walk him around the area and see if he shows some signs of being afraid. Would he be ok in the car by himself? That way you don't have to bring him inside, which might be to much. There is more barking at Flyball, too and the vibe is different then at Agility. And no loose dogs. How about some T-Touch on a mat?
    Hope to see him soon!

  12. no imageBorder Wars - Chris [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 12:34 (Reply)

    Speaking of drugs, I have found that Melatonin is as close to a miracle drug for my Border Collies (and dogs in general) as can be found. It stopped noise fear (thunder, sneezing, fireworks, etc.) dead in its tracks. I also have read that it works excellently for any kind of paranoia, anxiety, and flight/fight provoking stimuli… e.g. separation anxiety.

    Perhaps a trip to the local vitamin store will prove helpful for Muffit. I personally like Melatonin because it is a 100% natural chemical found in all living things. There are few, if any, side effects, and it’s in no way a depressant and it does not cause the dog to be less aware or drowsy (i.e. you can use it for Agility competitions and not see a down side in performance).

    A talk with your vet and a search on the internet should help you learn more about it. I’m generally against any sort of medication or pills or drugs for myself and my pets, but Melatonin is the exception.

    Border Wars - Christ’s last blog post..Off The Mark

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  13. Border Wars - Chris on 13.03.2008 at 12:34 (Reply)

    Speaking of drugs, I have found that Melatonin is as close to a miracle drug for my Border Collies (and dogs in general) as can be found. It stopped noise fear (thunder, sneezing, fireworks, etc.) dead in its tracks. I also have read that it works excellently for any kind of paranoia, anxiety, and flight/fight provoking stimuli… e.g. separation anxiety.

    Perhaps a trip to the local vitamin store will prove helpful for Muffit. I personally like Melatonin because it is a 100% natural chemical found in all living things. There are few, if any, side effects, and it's in no way a depressant and it does not cause the dog to be less aware or drowsy (i.e. you can use it for Agility competitions and not see a down side in performance).

    A talk with your vet and a search on the internet should help you learn more about it. I'm generally against any sort of medication or pills or drugs for myself and my pets, but Melatonin is the exception.

    <em>Border Wars - Christ's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BorderWars/~3/2487...rel="nofollow">Off The Mark</a></em>

  14. Border Wars - Chris on 13.03.2008 at 12:34 (Reply)

    Speaking of drugs, I have found that Melatonin is as close to a miracle drug for my Border Collies (and dogs in general) as can be found. It stopped noise fear (thunder, sneezing, fireworks, etc.) dead in its tracks. I also have read that it works excellently for any kind of paranoia, anxiety, and flight/fight provoking stimuli… e.g. separation anxiety.

    Perhaps a trip to the local vitamin store will prove helpful for Muffit. I personally like Melatonin because it is a 100% natural chemical found in all living things. There are few, if any, side effects, and it's in no way a depressant and it does not cause the dog to be less aware or drowsy (i.e. you can use it for Agility competitions and not see a down side in performance).

    A talk with your vet and a search on the internet should help you learn more about it. I'm generally against any sort of medication or pills or drugs for myself and my pets, but Melatonin is the exception.

    <em>Border Wars - Christ's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BorderWars/~3/2487...rel="nofollow">Off The Mark</a></em>

  15. no imageCynthia Blue [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 13:28 (Reply)

    Hi Lora.. Petsmart can be tough too. Tatum is very fearful at Petsmart, but she’s better at other places like the park and agility trials. But she’s used to the agility trials now and loves getting Livers from everyone. :)

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  16. Cynthia Blue on 13.03.2008 at 13:28 (Reply)

    Hi Lora.. Petsmart can be tough too. Tatum is very fearful at Petsmart, but she's better at other places like the park and agility trials. But she's used to the agility trials now and loves getting Livers from everyone. :)

  17. no imageCynthia Blue [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 13:29 (Reply)

    Jan that is very, very true. :) They are amazing.

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  18. Cynthia Blue on 13.03.2008 at 13:29 (Reply)

    Jan that is very, very true. :) They are amazing.

  19. no imageCynthia Blue [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 13:29 (Reply)

    Hey Johann, that is a good idea. The agility trials are more calm than flyball… and my husband could come and get him if I find he is more stressed that is good.

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  20. Cynthia Blue on 13.03.2008 at 13:29 (Reply)

    Hey Johann, that is a good idea. The agility trials are more calm than flyball… and my husband could come and get him if I find he is more stressed that is good.

  21. no imageCynthia Blue [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 13:30 (Reply)

    Hey Astrid, see you on Saturday! And I’ll have my camera with too. I will probably bring him… though fitting all 4 in the car will be the hardest part. :)

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  22. Cynthia Blue on 13.03.2008 at 13:30 (Reply)

    Hey Astrid, see you on Saturday! And I'll have my camera with too. I will probably bring him… though fitting all 4 in the car will be the hardest part. :)

  23. no imageCynthia Blue [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 13:32 (Reply)

    Wow Chris I didn’t know that about Melatonin. I’ve taken it in the past myself to help me sleep… as for the dogs, I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and have found that has no affect on the dogs, good or bad. I do have some Melatonin at home and can give it a try. Thanks!

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  24. Cynthia Blue on 13.03.2008 at 13:32 (Reply)

    Wow Chris I didn't know that about Melatonin. I've taken it in the past myself to help me sleep… as for the dogs, I've tried Rescue Remedy and have found that has no affect on the dogs, good or bad. I do have some Melatonin at home and can give it a try. Thanks!

  25. no imageFuzzy Logic [My Barks!] on 13.03.2008 at 18:55 (Reply)

    Eh.. I don’t care for melatonin. It worries me since I think it’s works with your neurochemistry.. but I might be wrong.

    Cyn, you have lavender oil… try a drop of that on a hankerchief… if you can get a good quality Ylang Ylang, that should help too.

    Everyone things rescue remedy is the cure for everything but, like any other homeopathic, it works on what its designed for.. “rescue” situations… immediate stress.. not that it might now work for other things..

    you can also try two specific bach flowers for fear: Aspen and Mimulus. One is for known fears and one is for unknown fears.

    Fuzzy Logic’s last blog post..So THIS is why I’m broke

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  26. Fuzzy Logic on 13.03.2008 at 18:55 (Reply)

    Eh.. I don't care for melatonin. It worries me since I think it's works with your neurochemistry.. but I might be wrong.

    Cyn, you have lavender oil… try a drop of that on a hankerchief… if you can get a good quality Ylang Ylang, that should help too.

    Everyone things rescue remedy is the cure for everything but, like any other homeopathic, it works on what its designed for.. "rescue" situations… immediate stress.. not that it might now work for other things..

    you can also try two specific bach flowers for fear: Aspen and Mimulus. One is for known fears and one is for unknown fears. <em>Fuzzy Logic's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sacredpaws/IZsb/~3...rel="nofollow">So THIS is why I’m broke</a></em>

  27. Fuzzy Logic on 13.03.2008 at 18:55 (Reply)

    Eh.. I don't care for melatonin. It worries me since I think it's works with your neurochemistry.. but I might be wrong.

    Cyn, you have lavender oil… try a drop of that on a hankerchief… if you can get a good quality Ylang Ylang, that should help too.

    Everyone things rescue remedy is the cure for everything but, like any other homeopathic, it works on what its designed for.. "rescue" situations… immediate stress.. not that it might now work for other things..

    you can also try two specific bach flowers for fear: Aspen and Mimulus. One is for known fears and one is for unknown fears. <em>Fuzzy Logic's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sacredpaws/IZsb/~3...rel="nofollow">So THIS is why I’m broke</a></em>

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