Bach Flowers Remedies For Dogs

Flower essences are best suited for addressing emotional and behavioral issues in an animal. The biggest factor in using them successfully is knowing your dog. The more you observe her, the better you can figure out what her specific issues are and what seems to be prompting them. And the better you will be at choosing the right essence from among hundreds of possibilities.

This sensitivity to your dog's behavior and reactions is also important in evaluating the results of an essence once you have administered it. If you are truly in tune with your dog, you will notice subtle but definite changes. If you haven't taken the time to really figure out the source of the problem, chances are you'll miss these nuances. Essences are not like great big mallets that hit your dog over the head and transform her in a couple of days; their effects are gradual and gentle, and often their most dramatic effects can be noticed only over a prolonged period of time.

Try one essence at a time, and see the results over a few days. When it comes to how much to give, the frequency of the dose is more important than the quantity. In other words, you'll probably see better results giving four drops four times a day rather than eight drops twice a day.

While flower essences are frequendy used for behavioral problems, they are not a cure-all. If your dog shows signs of being a danger to himself and those around him, you need to consult with a veterinarian to first rule out a medical reason, and then an animal behaviorist (not just a "trainer"). Flower essences can help nudge an animal in the right direction behaviorally, but they are no substitute for proper professional help.

To get you started, here are brief summaries of each of Bach's essences. Remember, they are not the only essences out there, but they are the most commercially available. You'll find them at most health food stores, sold in little amber bottles that protect the essences from the damaging effects of light.

Rescue Remedy

Technically, this isn't an essence. It's a mixture of five flower essences that Bach thought worked together well for cases of extreme stress. But Rescue Remedy is the most popular of Bach's creations.
Consider Rescue Remedy for a dog who has an extreme fear, anxiety or stress response.
Many people find Rescue Remedy to be most effective when it is used in conjunction with another, primary essence. In this respect, Rescue Remedy acts almost as an amplifier of the other essence.
Unlike the other remedies, Rescue Remedy is available in a cream form for use topically on burns, cuts, rashes and other external traumas.

Agrimony

Agrimony is for the stoics among our animal friends, as well as the ones who are so out of touch with their feelings that they suppress their anxieties with over-the-top friendliness.
Consider this essence for a dog who is too eager to please, to the point where he ignores his own needs and well-being.

Aspen

Fear comes in many forms, and aspen is called for when it is so generalized that its source is unknown. Animals can have panic attacks, just as humans do-look for panting, pacing, trembling and circling.
Consider this essence for a dog who gets nervous and wide-eyed for no apparent reason, or who mistrusts others.

Beech

This is the remedy for animals who cannot handle change well, or are easily annoyed by the behaviors and eccentricities of others in the household. It tones down irritability and helps open them up to being more flexible and tolerant.
Consider this essence for a dog who grumbles at or rebuffs a newcomer to the household, whether animal or human.

Centaury

If there were an essence assigned to address wimpiness, centaury might very well be it. This is for animals who are so unsure about their own identity-and so unwilling to assert their needs and desires-that they kowtow to and obey those more powerful than they, even though it's not in their best interests.
Consider this essence for "sidekick" animals who are forever doing the bidding of a more powerful animal in the household, or for runts of the litter who need to learn how to stand up for themselves.

Cerato

If an animal has leadership issues, this is the essence you might try. Cerato aids animals in finding confidence and assuredness, and weans them from finding self-worth by relying on others. This essence remedies self-doubt and urges the animal to trust her own instincts and opinions.
Consider this essence for a dog who will not participate in an engaging activity-such as playing with other dogs because it takes her away from you.You might also try it on an aging dog whose behavior is becoming more juvenile and dependent.

Cherry Plum

Sometimes animals act out in a frenzy for what seems like no reason at all. Cherry plum addresses this core of unpredictability, whether it manifests itself as an unprovoked attack or a panicked escape attempt. This total and utter surrender to fear is what cherry plum remedies.
Consider this essence for a dog who loses self-control easily or reacts violently to normal events, such as being put into a crate. It might also be appropriate for an abused animal who retains panic-provoking memories that are easily triggered, or one whose phobias generate extreme fear and panic.

Chestnut Bud

Getting stuck in bad habits and chronic patterns happens to animals as well as humans. This essence opens up the ability to learn from the past and to reprogram behavior that has become ingrained and reflexive.
Consider this essence for a dog who refuses to learn how to be house-trained, or who has a mental block about performing a particular command correctly. It is also useful for puppies who are lagging behind their litter mates developmentally.

Chicory

Excessive neediness is what this essence addresses, helping an animal become more self-sufficient and less clingy. This essence is also useful for animals who are overprotective of their humans, sometimes allowing this let-me-take-care-of-you impulse to manifest itself in aggression and dominant behavior. Because it is motivated by insecurity and selfishness, over-the-top possessiveness is another characteristic that can be remedied by chicory.
Consider this essence for a dog who is glued to your side all the time, interprets any person's overtures to you as a threat, or exhibits inappropriate guarding behaviors. It can also be useful for dogs who are too territorial, barking at every passerby or every leaf that blows up the driveway.

Clematis

This is the essence for animals who have trouble being "in the moment," who are absentminded or seem to be daydreaming. This sense of being out of touch goes beyond a lack of focus or easy distraction; it is a kind of turning inward to the animal's inner landscape, abandoning what is going on in the real world.
Consider this essence for dogs who become so disengaged that they fall asleep, or who lose focus during training.

Crab Apple

Animals with poor hygiene can benefit from this essence, which has a cleansing effect. It is also useful in helping stop obsessive grooming behaviors, or unwise dietary habits such as coprophagy (stool eating) and soil or rock eating.
Consider this essence for a dog who is a compulsive licker, has been exposed to environmental toxins or is recovering from an infection.

Elm

This is the essence for animals who think they can never measure up or are overwhelmed by expectations. They feel a responsibility to carry out certain roles, but on some level don't feel that they have the experience or ability to do so successfully.
Consider this essence for a normally confident and capable dog who is confronted with any high-pressure situation - bitches with demanding litters, search-and-rescue dogs at a disaster scene, service dogs who have been assigned a new partner.

Gentian

Sometimes, life metes out so many setbacks that we have to struggle to find the inspiration to try again. Gentian helps lift this pessimism and listlessness, and imparts a sense of optimism.
Consider this essence for a dog who has been repeatedly returned to a shelter and who despairs of ever finding a forever home, or who has lost a beloved owner or companion.

Gorse

Although it addresses issues that are similar to gentian, gorse is for animals who have taken their despondency a step further. They have lost any hope at all and have become numb. They have reached the point of not caring whether they live or die, and the vacant, blank look in their eyes will communicate this to you.
Consider this essence for a dog who has been abandoned by the only caretaker that he knows or, for whatever reason, has just given up.

Heather

Some animals are look-at-me types, always wanting to be in the limelight, at the expense of their relationships with others. Heather helps get this egomania under control, so that the dog can become aware of the fact that a relationship is a two-way street.
Consider this essence for a dog who is constantly pawing at her owner or barking for attention. Such a dog may manifest signs of separation anxiety, but not because she misses her owners. It's the attention from someone, anyone, that she craves.

Holly

Think about the leaves of this evergreen bush, which can poke and pinch. This is precisely the temperament that holly addresses, helping to dispel jealousy and intense dislike. Vine, which curbs dominance, is often used in conjunction with holly.
Consider this essence for the dog who holds grudges, and whose actions seem motivated by out-and-out dislike or envy. Or for dogs who are suspicious of a new member of the pack.

Honeysuckle

Adjustment is a part of life, and this essence can ease a transition for an animal who is having trouble coping with new circumstances-or is pining for the ones left behind. Pick a flower from this vigorous vine and pull its stamen in just the right way, and you are rewarded with a drop of hidden nectar. This is the lesson honeysuckle imparts: Every new relationship and life stage has a sweetness to it, if only we are willing to work to find it.
Consider this essence for a dog who has a hard time adjusting to new circumstances, seems unable to get settled in and is homesick for what she has left behind.

Hornbeam

This is the essence that imparts oomph-that surge of energy that gets an animal moving again after a hiatus or convalescence. It also addresses mental inertia-the kind of lethargy and laziness that can lead to procrastination and balking at pursuing interesting activities.
Consider this essence for the unresponsive dog who'd rather snooze than take an invigorating walk, or who needs a boost after a debilitating illness such as parvo or distemper.

Impatiens

The common name for this popular shade-loving annual says it all: Impatiens is for the impatient. This essence creates focus and gives the animal the single-mindedness not to be distracted by every little thing going on around him.
Consider this essence for dog who cannot concentrate in obedience class, or who has difficulty hearing his owner's commands because there is something more interesting to smell on the ground.

Larch

This is the confidence-building essence. If it had a sound track, it would be that old ditty about the ant and the rubber-tree plant. This is the essence that reaffirms our belief in our ability to rise to the occasion. It helps us say, "Yes, I can do that," and then gives us the confidence to go ahead and give it our best effort, without self-doubt getting in the way.
Consider this essence for a dog who is so hampered by lack of self-esteem that he won't try new things for fear he will fail or make a mistake.

Mimulus

Traditionally, this essence addresses fears that are specific: fear of men, or water, or being petted from above. Whatever the worry, mimulus centers a dog enough to confront this fear.
Consider this essence for a shy dog who is afraid of being handled or approached, or who has had a traumatic experience that has left her afraid of a specific thing.

Mustard

This essence is the antidote for deep depression-the kind that manifests itself in a pervasive gloominess without a clear cause or provocation. Think of the Christian parable of the mustard seed-how the smallest of all seeds can grow into the tallest of trees, no matter how impossible it seems. This essence promises that same truth: Trusting .in the smallest grain of hope will eventually lead to growth and renewal.
Consider this essence for the dog who seems deeply depressed for no identifiable reason.

Oak

In ancient times, the oak was a symbol of strength and resilience. Those are admirable qualities, but there can be a downside to stoicism: Always having to be the strong one means that an animal might not acknowledge her weakened state and so will not take the time to heal, rest and recuperate.
Consider this essence for a convalescing dog who will not stay still, pulls at stitches and pushes to walk and play even as he approaches the point of exhaustion and collapse. It's also for the dog who ignores and works through clear pain signals that his body is sending.

Olive

Rejuvenation is what this essence accomplishes, helping animals who have been pushed to their physical or mental limit to rebound. This is the remedy for sheer exhaustion.
Consider this essence for a dog who has a physically or emotionally demanding job, whether it is working livestock or searching for a missing person.

Pine

There's a reason why household cleaners are often pine-scented: it's a deep cleanser, and so too is its essence. Pine addresses the negative emotion of guilt, although it may be hard to tell if your dog is experiencing this emotion, as opposed to fear or submission.
Consider this essence for a dog who appears to be acting out of a sense of guilt or shame, or who may be picking up on your own negativity. Try it on puppies who are being housebroken, to screen out messages of negativity.

Red Chestnut

This is the essence for worriers-for those animals who are always anticipating what can go wrong next. Their overriding motivations are fear and concern over loss of control, and this often manifests itself in overprotectiveness.
Consider this essence for a dog with separation anxiety who frets while you are out of sight and is only calmed by your return.

Rock Rose

Terror is the emotion that this essence addresses. No matter what provokes this reaction-and there is usually a specific trigger for it-rock rose can help panicked animals find a center of calm within themselves.
Consider this essence for a dog who is profoundly afraid of a certain event or person-fireworks or someone who resembles an abusive previous owner, for example-and who is made hysterical at the prospect of confronting that fear object.

Rock Water

Suppleness and flexibility are important adaptive qualities. Without them, animals "snap" like a dry tree limb when pressure is applied. Rock water addresses this inability to go with the flow, both physically and emotionally. It remedies rigidity, and helps foster spontaneity and relaxation.
Consider this essence for a dog whose muscles are stiff and unyielding, who bridles at a change of routine, diet or environment, or who refuses to learn new behaviors. It can also help a status-obsessed dog who is overly dominant and territorial because he refuses to make concessions to others with whom he must share his space.

Scleranthus

We all know people-and animals-who suffer from mood swings: happy and content one minute, sulking and bitter the next. Scleranthus helps smooth out this erratic behavior, fostering emotional balance and steadiness. It also addresses indecision - animals who cannot settle down because they are torn between too many options, or who drive their owners crazy because they cannot figure out what they want.
Consider this essence for a dog who has an unpredictable temperament or who has dramatic ups and downs as a result of hormone changes. Because scleranthus restores equilibrium, it may also be useful in preventing the inner-ear imbalance that causes motion sickness.

Star of Bethlehem

The one word to remember with this essence is shock. It is called for in any situation where circumstances have unfolded so quickly, unexpectedly and traumatically that the animal is immobilized.
Consider this essence for a dog who has experienced trauma, whether physical or emotional-new mothers, or dogs who have lost their owners, experienced intense physical pain or undergone anesthesia.

Sweet Chestnut

Sometimes, animals experience so much pain and anguish that acquiescence and even death would be preferable to fighting a losing battle. Sweet chestnut restores the will to persevere and keep trying in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Remedying sheer exhaustion-both physical and mental-it reignites the hope of a light at the end of the tunnel.
Consider this essence for a dog who has been viciously or chronically abused, who has spent time in the spirit-breaking environment of a puppy mill or who grieves the loss of an owner or companion. Physically, this remedy is often used for animals who are prone to that terrifying and seemingly unpredictable intestinal condition, bloat.

Vervain

This is the essence for type A personalities-always raring to go, constantly needing to be in motion, fixated on where they are going instead of where they currently are. Vervain helps these overenthusiastic animals curb their excitability.
Consider this essence for a dog who is naturally exuberant, often to the point of seeming high strung or hyperactive.

Vine

Vine is for bullies, dominant and domineering types who like things to be their way or else.
Consider this essence for a dog who rides roughshod over less dominant members of the household, who seeks to accomplish things through sheer force of will and who is overly concerned with defending his turf.

Walnut

Life is all about change and that is a good thing, because change brings with it growth and maturity. But letting go of the familiar can be difficult and discomfiting. Walnut is the essence that helps us weather these natural and normal changes, helping us adjust as we embrace them.
Consider this essence for a dog who is going through a transition: changing owners or homes, welcoming a new family member, giving birth or being boarded for the first time.

Water Violet

Some animals are loners, seemingly uninterested in interacting with other animals or even the humans who love them. They may prefer to suffer pain silently and by themselves, and may recoil from being petted or caressed. Water violet helps foster better connections, making an aloof and self-sufficient animal more willing to give of himself.
Consider this essence for a dog who has difficulty bonding to a new owner, or who perhaps started off living sequestered from humans and so learned not to become too emotionally invested.

White Chestnut

This is the remedy for restlessness. It also helps an animal quiet his mind and relinquish obsessive and preoccupying thoughts that can lead to destructive habits and repetitive behaviors. This remedy also helps an animal let go of old training patterns and embrace new ones.
Consider this essence for a dog who needs to break chronic habits such as obsessive chewing or self-mutilation, or stop any old behaviors that are no longer productive. Try this essence with an insomniac dog, or with one who cannot seem to settle down and rest.

Wild Oat

This is the essence to give to an animal who does not seem to be striving to reach her full potential and is somehow blocked from achieving what her humans know she is capable of. Known as the pathfinder essence, wild oat helps dispel that lack of connection and gives a sense of direction.
Consider this essence for a dog who just can't seem to find his niche or who is leaving behind a career - such as a long, successful stint as a show dog or a search and rescue dog - that provided a large chunk of his identity.

Wild Rose

This essence combats apathy. It restores a love of life, an interest in and willingness to engage in the outside world.
Consider this essence for a dog who seems indifferent to what goes on around her or for an older dog who is grumpy after a new puppy is introduced into the household. Wild rose is also suitable for dogs who are recovering from a chronic illness or who seem to be in a depression that is worsening for no discernible reason.

Willow

Some animals (like some people) always seem as if they have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. They're grumpy, sulky and oftentimes, if they feel they have not gotten their way, spiteful. Or they may simply be oversensitive, taking everything personally and overreacting.
Consider this essence for a dog who seems to retaliate by destroying something in the house or withholding affection. It is also a choice for a dog who needs to overcome resentment about the way he has been treated in the past.

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