Obie has behaviorist homework

dumainedogs

dumainedogs

New member
Some of you may remember a few months back when I posted about some fear reactivity/aggression issues we've had with strangers. Finally, had our first meeting with the behaviorist "team" today (husband and wife.. vet & trainer) I'm encouraged. While much of what they told me I already knew, they gave me some very specific instructions and exercises for management and coping mechanisms based on his particular behaviors. Lots of click n' treat! While Obie's issue is relatively mild, I want to try to help him overcome his fears in a better way.

One question, has anyone had experience with anti-anxiety meds and dogs? They've also prescribed fluoxetine to use for awhile as we work to reprogram his responses. We'll also be switching from the prong to a head collar. He did pretty well with it on our first try with them here.

We have lots of training homework which Obie is very pleased about because it involves walks and lots of treats. :allg069:
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
I do work with a vet on some very over-reactive dogs and some end up on meds......The training starts whilst on the meds and the meds get reduced whilst the training continues. I do it only for the very over the top dogs that i am not able to "connect" with. But :lol: my hubby is not a vet..So there is a whole lot of organizing to do with a behaviorist Vet.
I did all my work with Annabelle minus the meds.
Again I personally don't use the head collar either, I just use martingale collars or flat collars, but there are ways and ways and as long as it is not abusive......if you see results it is a good way, if not, you try another way :)...Happy Training :) Ronnie
 
DeJ

DeJ

New member
Haddley is not a people person. She isn't aggressive but she will snap (a warning snap, she won't bite) if someone she doesn't know reaches to pet her. It has taken a lot of work to get her not to "freak" when strangers approach us. I never used medication for her (even tho a trainer recommended it). Thinking back, it may have been easier with medication. It would have eased some of her anxiety.
Happy training and good luck.
 
dumainedogs

dumainedogs

New member
Thanks, Ronnie. I'm a little reluctant to go the route of the anti-anxiety meds. I'm just not sure Obie qualifies as "over the top" enough to need it. But, I do get that it could make the training a little easier. I may give it a try for awhile, but know that'll mean a month or two since the drug doesn't really reach full effectiveness until they've been on it for about 3 weeks, and when you stop using it, you must wean them off gradually.

As for the head collar, after just a few short walks, he is accepting it well and I think it will be a good tool for us right now. I can already see that it is making it easier for me to ease his head away from whatever person he is starting to fixate on.. and in the process, he's getting clicked/treated. I would like to transition back to his martingale though.
 
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