We love hearing from our customers about the difference Dorwest products have made to their dogs, and Chester’s story is one we really wanted to share. We caught up with his owner, Suzanne, to hear more about their journey and how our calming bestsellers have become part of Chester’s routine.
Five-year-old Border Collie Chester has always been a gentle, home-loving dog, but when he was three years old, his sensitivity to noise increased. Everyday sounds such as car doors, roadworks and bird scarers started to become much harder for him to cope with. After a particularly difficult fireworks season, his world gradually became smaller and even walks and time in the garden felt overwhelming.
After introducing Scullcap & Valerian and Valerian Compound alongside training, Suzanne began to notice small but meaningful changes. Chester started playing more, listening out for noises less and gradually becoming more comfortable both at home and out and about.
Today, he’s enjoying holidays, beach days, dog shows and so much more. Loud noises can still startle him, but with his training, Suzanne’s understanding of his behaviour and herbal support from Dorwest, Chester is now much better able to cope with unexpected noises and enjoy far more of the world around him. Read Chester’s full story below and see just how far he’s come.
"Dorwest's Scullcap and Valerian completely changed Chester's life for the better." - Suzanne
Can you tell us a little bit about Chester and what he's like as a dog?
"Chester is a five year old border collie who loves the quiet life. He's mellow by nature with a cheeky side that's becoming more prominent as his confidence grows. He loves nothing more than a quiet stroll through the park, chasing his frisbee, and practicing his tricks. Despite his love for the outdoors, his favourite place will always be his home. He shares his home with an eleven year old Labrador, who he loves to torment by stealing her tennis balls."
When did you first start noticing that Chester was struggling with certain noises or situations? Were fireworks the first major trigger?
"Chester started showing signs of noise sensitivity throughout 2024 when he was three years old. Things such as car doors, bird scarers, and roadworks became a daily problem. The fireworks of that year were the main trigger and things started going downhill from there. Chester started anticipating loud noises when it got dark even long after the fireworks stopped and would spend his days hiding."
At his most difficult point, how was Chester's fear affecting his everyday life?
"At this point, Chester didn't want to go for walks in the slightest. He wouldn't come out into the front garden even for a few minutes, and every little noise would immediately send him into hiding again. He spent most of his time upstairs in the bedroom window and wouldn't come downstairs for anything. The ongoing anxiety gave him stomach issues, sometimes to the point of throwing up. He didn't feel safe, even in his own home, and some days associated us with bad noises and would become distant. This made every day walks difficult given he didn't want to be out and didn't trust us to keep him safe."
How did you first come across Scullcap & Valerian, and what made you decide to try it?
"Our vet recommended it first actually, followed by our trainer who came for a home consult. We had already tried a few other supplements which had no effect, but after looking into the ingredients of Scullcap and Valerian extensively, and reading about the benefits, we decided to give it a go."
What were the first changes you noticed after starting Scullcap & Valerian?
"We started on Scullcap and Valerian in the end of November 2025, and by the end of December we were seeing small improvements. He started playing more in the house, listening less for noises while he was downstairs and in the garden, and seemed happier overall."
How has Dorwest helped Chester overall?
"This initial boost in confidence gave us the opportunity to begin working on desensitizing him outside the house and distracting him when he heard a noise. Before, we couldn't have done this without completely overwhelming him."
You’ve mentioned using Valerian Compound on particularly difficult days. When do you tend to reach for it, and how does it help Chester?
"We used Valerian Compound a lot in the early days, especially on the evenings when the day had already been overwhelming and he needed that extra help in being able to relax. Nowadays, we rely on it less, but when he's had a stressful day and he's a little on edge, it helps him decompress. We have, and will, continue to use it consistently over the firework period."
You’ve worked with a trainer alongside using the products. How important has that combination been for Chester?
"Our trainer, Sara from Rewards Dog Training, gave us some very helpful insight when she came for a home visit. We got her report shortly after we started on Scullcap and Valerian, and the combination of the new supplement and her advice, we were able to begin working on his confidence in and out of the house. He finally began to feel safer at home."
From cafés and shops to beaches and holidays, which of Chester’s milestones has meant the most to you?
"He's had two holidays in the same place since he started on Scullcap and Valerian. The first year, he wasn't comfortable there, and spend the entire time wanting to go home. The second time was two months ago, and it was like having a completely different dog with us. He spent his days running around, playing with toys, exploring, and even watching the local RAF training helicopters flying overheard all day - which would have previously sent him running to hide. The best part of that holiday was seeing him enjoy himself. A few honourable mentions are the fact he can now also appreciate a beach day without it ruining his week, and we've been able to start taking him to some of the bigger dog shows and festivals this year. Every day he has a good day is a milestone in our books."
How does Chester cope with unexpected noises now compared with before?
"Loud noises do still startle him, and they likely always will, but he's gained the experience to self regulate and not let them spoil his mood. More importantly, we've learned to read him, which means we can see when he's had enough and when he's able to push on. Compared to before, we would immediately remove him from a bad situation because he wasn't able to cope. Nowadays, a little DIY nextdoor isn't the end of his world."
What would you say to another owner considering Dorwest for a dog struggling with similar fears?
"Dorwest's Scullcap and Valerian completely changed Chester's life for the better. Alongside training and working on his confidence, we've been able to expand his world and show him that life's not as scary as he used to think it was. There's nothing to lose by trying it, and everything to gain."
What are you most looking forward to doing with Chester next?
"Now that he's up for it, and we're confident in his ability to cope, we're starting an urban skills/parkour club. We still work with our wonderful trainer, and do plenty at home in the front garden where he previously wouldn't work in. We're also currently booked to do Chester's good citizen award, and we will be continuing to take him to dog shows and festivals. Even just a road trip is now fun to plan knowing he'll enjoy it, but we always pack our Valerian Compound just in case."
Supporting dogs through noise-sensitive moments
Every dog responds differently to loud noises and unfamiliar situations, which is why calming support often works best as part of a wider routine that includes training, preparation and helping your dog feel safe.
Scullcap & Valerian Tablets are designed for everyday calming support and are ideal for dogs that benefit from a consistent routine during periods of increased stress. The herbal formula is non-drowsy, helping dogs remain settled without affecting their muscles or causing drowsiness. For best results, we recommend giving the tablets consistently and allowing around three weeks for them to become part of your dog’s routine.
For Chester, this ongoing support helped create a foundation from which his owners could begin working more effectively on confidence-building and desensitisation with their trainer.
Valerian Compound can be used alongside the tablets when a little extra support is needed. This fast-acting liquid is particularly useful for sudden or particularly challenging situations, such as unexpected loud noises, travel or fireworks evenings. Chester’s owners used it more frequently during the early stages of his journey and now keep it on hand for more difficult days or situations where he may need additional support.
Using the two products together gives owners the flexibility of daily calming support from Scullcap & Valerian Tablets, with Valerian Compound available for those more sudden or demanding moments.
As Chester’s story shows, progress is rarely about one single change. Building confidence can take time, patience and consistency, but the right combination of calming support, training and understanding your dog’s individual signals can help make everyday experiences feel much more manageable.
If you have any questions or need help choosing which calming support is best for your pet, feel free to contact our friendly team of product experts on 01308 897272 or email info@dorwest.com.
