Chamomile Tea as a calmer?

[elaine.e]

At training last night a couple of people were talking about a Cairn Terrier which has always been very reactive and aggressive towards other dogs and how much calmer he is since being given Chamomile Tea.

Does anyone here have experience of giving Chamomile Tea to dogs? I know that it's a relaxing and soothing tea for people and can also be used (cold of course) to soothe tired eyes. I did a Google search and found a few recommendations for using it on dog forums, plus this http://www.csjk9.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=3&idproduct=3 which is a compund that has chamomile as one of it's main ingredients.

I'm thinking of Louis, who has always been a bit reactive with dogs that he doesn't know when he's on lead, but has become a lot worse since being attacked a few weeks ago. He now thinks he should get in first and ask questions later

I'm hoping that something like chamomile might be useful in helping him to become more confident and relaxed.

[Helen]

could well help but you could also try giving him some RR or EE before a walk 

[sophiew]

I haven't used Chamomile tea but I've heard others that have.

Henry is quite reactive and I had him on a Valerian based calmer which seemed to help, and I've heard good reports of 'CalmAid' which is also valerian extract

Rescue Remedy - yes, always have this in the cupboard here!

Sophie
x

[MaggieR]

My mum swears by it... when I was growing up we used to have a very "twitchy" doberman... good as gold for the most part but she'd have days where she could be a real grumpy so and so, not really aggressive but quite on edge... Mum started giving her a "cup of tea" each day and she did seem to calm down. Now that was when I was a kid so my memory might well be a bit rose-coloured, but I know its something she subsequently used on a couple of other dogs they had which were also a bit wired, seemingly to good effect.

[elaine.e]

could well help but you could also try giving him some RR or EE before a walk 

I use RR (on Louis and me) but it doesn't seem to make much difference to him.

[Mel]

Tali has been taking scullcap and valerian for a few weeks because he is totally hyper at points, cross between excitement and nerves because of his age. It's supposed to help with SA  not sure about that. I am currently giving him some Bach flower remedies, 6 a day, to help with getting him to be more of a settled pup and including Chestnut Bud to help him focus on training.
Chamomile tea is also used for SA, but I keep forgetting to buy any of it.

[bluegirl]

Not used chamomile as a calmer but have used vervain and valerian loose herbs which I infused myself and gave to the dog.

[Rats and Dogs]

I haven't used it for the dogs, but haven given it cold to stressed rats before, so it's worth a try! :-)

[elaine.e]

Thank you for all of your replies

I took Louis to a local companion dog show today and I dosed him up with some chamomile tea first, then a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy when we got there  . I can't say for sure that they worked, or if it was just the heat, but he was a lot calmer than I expected.

The show was the 5th annual one run by the training club that I go to and I think it's outgrown the venue. You couldn't move an inch without having to walk past all sorts of dogs and Louis was one of 50+ in "Most Handsome Dog" and hemmed in between 2 big dogs in the ring. On his way in a little black hairy terrier leapt up from under a chair and snapped and snarled at him but he didn't retaliate

We didn't get any rosettes today but I'm really pleased  that he coped quite well with being so close to so many dogs and with so much noise going on. I let him say hello to a few friendly dogs that I know and he said hello briefly to several more as we walked through the crowds. We found a quiet, shady corner of the car park as a refuge to give him some peace between classes and that helped too.

It was a small step forward for Louis but an important one after his anxiety and reactive aggression with other dogs since being attacked a few weeks ago. Tomorrow we've got a Kennel Club Show, but it will be less crowded than today and we won't be there very long, so fingers crossed he'll stay calm tomorrow and carry on gaining confidence.

[spanielcrazy]

Excellent  Well done to Louis and to you

I've never used the tea but I do have chamomile in the capsule form which works well too 

[Top Barks]

if it works for you even as a placebo and you are more calm then it can't be bad.
I'd be interested to hear more if you continue to use it.
mark

[elaine.e]

if it works for you even as a placebo and you are more calm then it can't be bad.
I'd be interested to hear more if you continue to use it.
mark

I'll let you know how we get on Mark. I know it's not the answer to his problems but see it as being part of the solution hopefully. If Louis is staying calmer in situations that are stressful for him (and therefore I'm less tense too) then it should help him to regain his confidence, and that will help me too.

He was pretty calm at the KC show yesterday. We weren't there for long and there was a lot of space with not too many dogs. A fellow exhibitor with a very laid back Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was kind enough to spend a couple of minutes with us and when Louis was looking relaxed enough he and the Wheaten said a polite hello, after which Louis was quietly praised and rewarded. Little things like that help him.