Emma is a 14 year old Silky Terrier that developed severe thunder phobia as an older dog. Emma’s mom, Madeleine, prefers to use natural alternatives to drugs whenever possible, and came upon our Very Scary Things Bach flower formula for fears and phobias in dogs. Here she tells us about Emma and her dramatic successes with flower essences.
Aldaron Essences: Madeleine, please tell us about little Emma. What’s she like and what’s her background?
Madeleine: Emma is a Silky Terrier and will be 14 years old in November. She’s the best companion ever! Full of unconditional love and the best keeper of secrets. She is starting to lose her hearing and her eyesight, but she compensates amazingly well.
She still loves to play with her stuffed animals and runs around the dining room table with her squeaky ball. She’s extremely smart and very food-motivated. I use potty pads at night. If she thinks she needs a “good girl†cookie, she’ll go into the kitchen and pee a little on the pad just to get a cookie!
Emma came from a breeder in Nebraska, and my daughter and I flew out to get her when she was about 12 weeks old. Emma and I occupy our home together and have a quiet lifestyle. We have some good friends in the neighborhood who also have small dogs, and we will take walks together.
Aldaron Essences: What issues were you having that led you to try Aldaron Essences?
Madeleine: I first contacted you when Emma began having extreme problems with thunder and lightning. This never bothered her until she became older. I tried the Thundershirt, which helped a little. But I certainly wasn’t comfortable leaving the house with her wearing it.
I had purchased the Very Scary Things formula but, because Emma also has fear-induced seizures, I was apprehensive about using it. You may not remember, but I was so impressed that on a Sunday in March 2017 you answered my email within 1 hour of sending it, reassuring me that the formula would not cause any problems with the seizures. I will always be grateful for that! ! [Note from Aldaron Essences: flower essences are extremely safe to use, with no known contraindications. However, always verify with your pet’s veterinarian if you are unsure about using any new supplement or therapy.]
Then there were Emma’s lick sores. There are times when my job takes me out of town, and while I have an excellent pet sitter who comes to our home to walk and play with Emma through the day, leaving the house can be stressful when Emma sees the suitcase.
She started licking her paws which caused sores. I began giving her Aldaron Essences’ Calm in 2017 and then her own “Emma formulaâ€, which I designed myself with the help of your Design Your Own flower essence formula service, in 2018.
And then Emma was attacked by two dogs in September 2019. She was very fortunate, and only had scrapes and abrasions on her throat and a bite on her left hindquarter. Mentally and emotionally was a different story, though. You immediately answered my questions through email even though you had just returned from vacation. You suggested a combination of Aldaron Essences’ High Anxiety and Confidence, shipped it out express, and I received it in 2 days! Again — forever grateful!
Aldaron Essences: Which formula did you find most helpful?
Madeleine: It’s hard to say. Very Scary Things works wonders for storms and fireworks. The Emma formula has a calming effect that I use daily, along with your Golden Years formula for maintenance. High Anxiety/Confidence made a fast and incredible difference after the dog attack.
Aldaron Essences: Can you describe the differences you’ve seen?
Madeleine: Your Very Scary Things essence had been remarkable for thunderstorms and fireworks. I’ve also used it when going to the Vet.
Emma no longer shakes and pants during storms, and fireworks are tolerable. I’ll give her 3 doses five minutes apart, and within 30 minutes she’ll lay down on the couch.
No anxious paw licking anymore, however, she loves licking fleece — yuck!! I do make it a point to rinse her feet after walks. I believe whatever the lawn services spray on the grass, especially in the Fall, causes some of the problems.
Golden Years is for maintenance, and I’ll continue to give her that daily.
And High Anxiety/Confidence made the most incredible difference after the dog attack. At first, Emma wouldn’t even walk out our door into the hall of our condo. After about a week of giving her doses three times a day she seemed to be back to her usual self. Truly amazing. And she is continuing to do well.
Aldaron Essences’ online store closed permanently on May 31, 2023. I no longer sell flower essence formulas directly to customers.
Instead, I’m focusing on developing the Aldaron Essences blog into a premier resource on flower essences for dogs and other animals. I’ll also be expanding my dog training website, Train2Behave.com, as well as my Etsy store of mostly dog training- and breed-related apparel and gifts.
In the coming weeks, you can expect new pages on this site that will detail some of my most popular flower essence formulas for dogs. These pages will replace the old links to those products on the store. Thanks for your patience during the transition!
Best,
julie
Aldaron Essences: What was the most helpful training or lifestyle change you made?
Madeleine: My best lifestyle change has been to keep my out-of-town trips to a bare minimum.
Aldaron Essences: Did you use any other alternative therapies that helped?
Madeleine: I try my best to use a holistic approach for Emma and me. If possible, we try drug-free first. I’ve used CBD oil for dogs and Cosequin. Emma has joint issues from chasing squirrels many years ago.
Aldaron Essences: Any future plans with your dog you’d like to share?
Madeleine: Just to continue a happy and healthy life together. Emma has given me so much joy and comfort, and I’d like to do that for her in her golden years!
Aldaron Essences: Any words of advice to people experiencing similar issues with their dog?
Madeleine: You have perfected holistic formulas for all dog issues. I suggest those interested in helping their dogs in a holistic and safe way to read and do in-depth research within your website. There is such a wealth of information!
Thanks very much, Madeleine, for sharing sweet Emma’s story with us!
Julie Cantrell BSc is a professional dog trainer and canine behavior consultant who’s logged many thousands of hours training dogs and teaching owners since 1990. Flower essences have been part of her work with canine behavior since 1994. (bio)
