Bach Flowers
The first time I heard about Bach flower therapy, I could hardly believe that these remedies could be helpful in solving animal problem behaviour or even behaviour disturbances.
A bit suspicious though also fascinated to learn more about Bach flower therapy, I followed a course at Geert de Bolster’s – professional dog behaviour counselor and experienced Bach therapist.
Thanks to this course and my in meanwhile gained experience, I now know for sure that these flower essences really can be a support in solving dog problem behaviour. That is why I do not hesitate using them when necessary.
More about Bach Flower Remedies
Bach flower remedies are the extracts of flowers of plants, shrubs or trees (except one remedy: rock water, which is a mineral water). They were discovered and improved by Dr. Edward Bach, an English doctor-bacteriologist who ran a lucrative practice in London in the early 20th century.
However, Dr. Bach thought regular medicine was concentrated too much on contesting and suppressing the symptoms of disease, without seeing a patient in full. In his opinion, a better healing would be obtained when someone is psychologically and emotionally well balanced.
Convinced he would find an answer in nature, he gave up his practice and left London in 1930. In search of finding out some natural, pure remedies which could heal someone from inner out without causing damage, he noticed that some plants had a positive effect on mental states and emotions.
Finally, Dr. Bach developed a selection of 38 flower remedies, each of them affecting a particular state of mind.
How do they work?
The intention of Bach flowers is to redress the spiritual and emotional balance of a human being or an animal (even chickens and birds can be treated with Bach flowers). Disharmony in mental and emotional state often results in undesirable behaviour, such as exaggerated jealousy, suspicion, anguish...
As soon as the blossoms become effective, your dog, for instance, will be tractable to assimilate other, by you desiderated behaviour.
This new, alternative behaviour should always be strengthened and rewarded!
Different ways of using Bach Flower Remedies.
Bach flower remedies can be used in three different ways:
1.To treat a short-term mood, you choose one or more blossoms which can solve an acute problem, such as extreme thunder-storm fear, firework anguish, after a traumatic experience like an accident, a fight among dogs, ... You can also use this kind of treatment in prospect of uneasy events as a visit to the vet, go to a boarding-house, travelling-sickness, ... Especially Rescue Remedy (see next) is often used to solve acute problems.
2. Treatment of symptoms is used to decrease problem behaviour by choosing blossoms which influence on the recognizable symptoms of this behaviour.
3. By using character treatment, you choose a selection of remedies according to the personality and the emotional state of your dog.
You also take traumatic experiences, problems related to the developmental stage of imprint and stay-at-home related factors into account.
Rescue Remedy.
Besides 38 singular remedies, Dr. Bach also developed a composed remedy: Rescue Remedy. This “first aid” solution is a mix of 5 different remedies which together help deal with any emergency or stressful event – mental or physical trauma, after an accident, shock, anguish, but also taking a driving test, speaking in public, exam-nerves – there are countless uses for Rescue Remedy.
Taking Bach Flower Remedies.
Normally you get a Bach flower combination in a 30 ml treatment bottle. Of this solution, you give your dog 4 drops, at least 4 times a day. The easiest way is to drop them on some tasty food your dog really likes (little piece of bread, some poor yoghourt, just on his food, ...). Dog-goodies are often not suitable because they don’t absorb the drops very well.
Bach flower remedies are completely safe and harmless. They won’t change the character of your dog even as they wont’t calm him down or make him fuzzy. Bach flower remedies have absolutely no influence on allopathic or on homeopathic medication.
However, they can’t replace medical treatment. So when your dog shows problem behaviour, always visit your vet to preclude any medical cause.
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