Martin Scott - Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs

As mentioned in the book, diet is an important factor in a dogs behaviour and general state of health and happiness. Some cases of hyperactivity in dogs are in fact due to dietary causes, and some veterinary experts have linked uncontrollable behaviour, even aggression, to certain inappropriate diets. Its important to realise that while one dog might thrive on a certain diet, another may not. Some dog breeds have quite specific requirements, and individual dogs of the same breed may not always do well on the same food. There is probably no one food that is perfect for all, and so a certain amount of experimentation is usually needed to find what suits your own dog or dogs. Its important to avoid cheap and low-quality diets, as many of these will simply not provide adequate nutrition and this is bound to affect health. Below are three recommended UK brands that, although commercial, are of good quality.

• NatureDiet soft cooked meat, comes in a range of varieties packed in 390g tubs. Contact: 08700 132960 / www.naturediet.co.uk
• Burns dried kibble-type food of high quality, developed by a vet with a lifelong interest in holistic health; there is also an organic variety. Contact: +44 (0)1554 890482 / www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk
• James Wellbeloved also a dried kibble-type, of a similar standard of quality as Burns. Available from most good pet supplies stores.

Below are some recommended books for those wishing to learn more about dog behaviour problems, their causes and cures.

Think Dog
John Fisher, Blandford Books

Probably the first mainstream canine behaviour book ever to mention the Bach remedies. The late John Fisher was a truly pioneering dog behaviour expert who recognised that the real solution to most problems lay beyond the realm of traditional dog training methods.

Dont Dope the Dog
Martin J. Scott and Gael Mariani, S.A.F.E.R Publications
Tel: +44 (0)1267 281761
Email: dontdopethedog@uku.co.uk

This little book examines the scandal surrounding the use of psychotropic drugs such as Prozac and Valium in canine behaviour therapy and explores some safer, more effective alternatives including the Bach flower remedies, other flower remedies and homeopathy. Also available from Sheila Harper Canine Education: contact Erica Bennett on +44 (0) 1543 270026 / info@quanuk.com.

The Practical Dog Listener
Jan Fennell, HarperCollins

This sequel to the best-selling book The Dog Listener is a practical handbook showing the application of Jan Fennells simple and effective methods, expertly designed to reduce stress levels in dogs and help to eradicate unwanted behaviour.