Saturday, July 26, 2014

A Born Frisbee Catcher! How Fidobiotics Can Help Your Dog Stay Calm!

   Our dog, Evee, was born to catch and track frisbees.  And how perfect that is for this disc golf loving family!  But she wasn't always the perfect fit.  We got Evee as a troubled 10-month-old.  Her owners were beside themselves with her antics and her wily ways.  She chased bikers, cars, 4-wheelers, cats, kids.  Aything that ran, she chased. Even though they were sad to part with her, they knew they couldn't manage her.  Having had a border collie before-may dear Daisy rest in peace-we were up for the challenge.  But we weren't quite ready for what we got!  When we had visitors, Evee would become extremely protective and even aggressive, to the point of making people afraid. If she didn't get her way, she tried to bully us by nipping, growling and snarling.   Conversely, she was afraid to jump into even the lowest of cars so had to be lifted in.  When she was actually in a car, she had extreme anxiety, huddling into a trembling ball of fur.  We had our hands full the first year we had her.  She was a wanna-be alpha female, even trying to be dominant to me.  I had to show her who was boss and it took a few tries!  Even now, my husband is the only one who she will completely obey. (He's the Frisbee God) And so even though she is a study in contradictions, we love her so much!  She has turned into the sweetest girl.  
   When we took her disc-golfing the first time, we were stunned.  She wanted to chase every frisbee that went out and bring it back.  It was terrible.  She ran across the field like a streak, tracked down the disc, picked it up and brought it back.  Not good when people are trying to play disc golf.  We knew we had to channel that energy.  So we got her some special dog frisbees and I got to work.  It wasn't too long before she was catching the frisbees and bringing them back.  Now she knows which are her frisbees and which are the discs.  She leaves the discs, only tracking them and giving them a lick, when she finds them.  It has come in handy because she can locate them when they become lost and entangled in trees or brush.  

   With all that extra energy and with the July holidays coming up, I gave Fidobiotics a try. Fidobiotics is a company that is concerned with the health of dogs. You can choose from 3 probiotic formulations--one for digestion issues (does your dog have stinky gas?), a breath remedy, and a calming product. 
   Here in Utah we not only have the 4th of July fireworks, but we celebrate the 24th of July, again with even more fireworks.  And in our area, it feels like a war zone because there are so many going off.  Evee isn't the typical nervous Nellie.  She actually wants to attack the fireworks instead of running away.  She'll run right up to the fireworks on the ground and attack them, even risking injury.  I guess she thinks she is protecting us.  I decided to try the calming formula called 'Relaxin' Rover'.  I didn't start her on it until right after the 4th of July so I had an opportunity to compare her reactions.  
   The formula comes in 30 packets called sachets.  They are full of probiotics and calming herbs like L-tryptophan, chamomile flower and ginger root.  It is to be sprinkled in the food and eaten along with it.  The flavor is called Salmon and Sushi. I found that a whole packet in her food was too much, so I cut it down to 1/2 a packet per day.  
   I've noticed that she is doing well!  I took her on a walk around the neighborhood on the evening of the 24th, when everything was just getting started.  She was definitely aware of the fireworks going on around her, but she didn't seem to pay them any attention.  She was doing amazing, sniffing at bushes and flowers with popping going on all around!  I even got a comment from a man watching us from his deck.  He said she was an amazing dog, and being so good!  We were out for about an hour.  As it got dark, the huge fireworks started going off all around us.  It was then that she decided enough was enough and she started barking ferociously at the explosions in the sky.  I couldn't blame her though.  They were extremely loud and close.  I took her back to the house and she spent the rest of the evening laying quietly under my desk.  She didn't necessarily want to be confronted with the loud noise, but she was calm and quiet in the house.  On the 4th, before I started giving her the Fidobiotics, she was in the house, but would startle every time an explosion went off, sometimes running around the house or whining.  I wouldn't have even dared to take her outside on a walk!  So this was a huge improvement.   


The Relaxin Rover and a sample pack of all three of the

I put half a pack in her food before pouring it in her dish
    Right now if you enter the code FidoFans, you will receive 15% off your purchase!  Follow Fidobiotics on Twitter and Facebook



16 comments:

Jessica said...

When we had a dog, she could have used this product. Sadly she got old and passed away, but I will remember this if we get a new one.

Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen said...

I'll recommend this to friends who have dogs.

kewkew said...

Sounds like a wonderful product for dogs. Unfortunately I am allergic to cats and dogs (and other pets) so we can't have pets. I'll have to ask my friends with dogs if they have heard of this.

ReviewsSheRote said...

Sounds like a good product...no Dogs in this out only cats...do they have a cat line??

Mom Knows Best said...

I love that you play with your dog. Too many people leave their dog out and they bark because they are bored.

Adrienne said...

Hey Helena,

First off that was awesome of you guys to take Evee on even after you knew of her issues. Sounds like she's finally found a wonderful home with you all.

So do you think that the Relaxin' Rover would work on thundering? I mean you never know when it's going to start so it's not like you can prepare for it. I tried that thunder shirt they advertised for Kayla and it didn't do anything. She just gets so upset when it thunders and I hate seeing her like that.

Might have to do some more research but thanks for sharing this with us.

Hope you're having a wonderful day and it was great chatting with you on Twitter.

~Adrienne

A GAL NEEDS... said...

Hi Adrienne! A thunder storm recently came up and I've been continuing to give Evee the Relaxin' Rover. She showed less apprehension and all bravado towards the thunder, which we thought was hilarious. I'd rather have her run at full speed towards distant thunder than hide behind me or duck under the nearest desk! It was nice chatting to you as well!

Adrienne said...

Thanks Helena and I think I might give it a try. Kayla just shakes so badly and then cowards in the bathroom all while she tears up my rug. Urggggg

A GAL NEEDS... said...

Yes, I always take it very personally when my dog isn't happy or is under duress! Best of luck with Kayla! She sounds very sweet!

Angie's Angle said...

This sounds like a great product, am happy that my Roxy girl doesn't get to scared most of the time. She is just a happy ball chasing girl.

I love her with the Frisbee.

Today's The Best Day said...

You make me want to get a dog! SO fun! This looks like a great product for sure!

Denise C said...

What an interesting product. I've known a lot of dogs who could have benefited from something like this.

Unknown said...

Wow- that's amazing that it works so well. Its so hard to be a dog around fireworks! Glad you have gotten used to each other and have been able to calm her down a bit. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I could never get my dogs to catch a frisbee. However they would retrieve it, or chew it up depending on their mood.

dd said...

My Yorkie was too little and not at all a Frisbee catcher. He was sure hyper though and could use some calming down.

JewelWood said...

I used to have a dog that could run and play with a frisbee like your dog. My dog now does not care about it. But I never thought about getting Fidobiotics. This is a great idea to help my dog with his health. I sure would like to give it a try and see how he does.