Rosie Seems To Actually Be Getting More Anxious...

[blackdoggy]

I feel your pain. Rosie sounds exactly like our dog, bc x kelpie, brought home from a shelter at 9 months old. With the help of a behaviourist, we worked hard at behaviour modification, gave heaps of enrichment, exercise, training, but he was not getting better. Working dog, dog needs a job, herding, agility, flyball people said. Yeah right, he hated the car (yes despite three months of behaviour mod we couldn't get out of the drive way without a melt down) and was anxious around other dogs anyway, and incapable of retaining training. Restless, slept maybe 6 hours a day, total. He couldnt even sleep, clearly he was not able to retain foundation learning or bonding, his anxiety over rode all of that.

We were referred to a vet behaviourist by the first behaviourist but resisted because we didn't want to go down the medication route because we didn't believe in medicating dogs. In the end we were exhausted, had moments of resenting the dog for not responding to all our hard work and making life so bloody difficult, seriously wanted to rehome, and pts was on the table. We went to the vet behaviourist and decided to try medication. Within three months all the behaviour modification clicked into place. He started to relax. He's been on medication a year now and we are going to try to wean him off in the next 6 months, he may or may not need to stay on the medication for life. He's such a happy, energetic, cheeky sweet dog, not at all the drugged dog I feared he would become. Our biggest regret? Treating medication as a last resort rather than an "in combination with behavioural mod". He suffered longer than he needed to.

So yes, my advice to the op, given our experience and given that despite your best efforts things arent improving, is to see a recommended, qualified, and anxiety experienced behaviourist or a vet behaviourist for an assessment, and trust them. Best of luck, I hope things improve soon.

[Simply Grand]

The reason I've suggested a veterinary behaviourist is because I think this is a case where Rosie may benefit from behaviour modification and medication. Only a vet behaviourist can prescribe medication.

I'm definitely not an expert but I do have to wonder how much of this behaviour can be successfully modified.

I would do anything that built up Rosie's sense of security and confidence and if that means giving her a constant canine companion, then that's what I'd do. I think you may have to accept the fact that much of this behaviour isn't fixable but it may be manageable. She does sound like she has issues with inactivity.

I have to say (and I say it with some trepidation) that if all you can see in front of you with this dog is heartache and expense and IF the opinion and options given by a vet behaviourist don't paint a happy picture, I would consider giving Rosie her wings. Life with a dog is not meant to be a constant merry-go-round of misery and anxiety for dog or owner.

She's had a dreadful start to life and sadly for her and you, some of those experiences now shape her future.

I would strongly recommend contacting Dr Robert Holmes. I think you do need a vet behaviourist given the problems she has and what you have tried as medication in conjunction with a behaviour mod program, may be required.

I feel your pain. Rosie sounds exactly like our dog, bc x kelpie, brought home from a shelter at 9 months old. With the help of a behaviourist, we worked hard at behaviour modification, gave heaps of enrichment, exercise, training, but he was not getting better. Working dog, dog needs a job, herding, agility, flyball people said. Yeah right, he hated the car (yes despite three months of behaviour mod we couldn't get out of the drive way without a melt down) and was anxious around other dogs anyway, and incapable of retaining training. Restless, slept maybe 6 hours a day, total. He couldnt even sleep, clearly he was not able to retain foundation learning or bonding, his anxiety over rode all of that.

We were referred to a vet behaviourist by the first behaviourist but resisted because we didn't want to go down the medication route because we didn't believe in medicating dogs. In the end we were exhausted, had moments of resenting the dog for not responding to all our hard work and making life so bloody difficult, seriously wanted to rehome, and pts was on the table. We went to the vet behaviourist and decided to try medication. Within three months all the behaviour modification clicked into place. He started to relax. He's been on medication a year now and we are going to try to wean him off in the next 6 months, he may or may not need to stay on the medication for life. He's such a happy, energetic, cheeky sweet dog, not at all the drugged dog I feared he would become. Our biggest regret? Treating medication as a last resort rather than an "in combination with behavioural mod". He suffered longer than he needed to.

So yes, my advice to the op, given our experience and given that despite your best efforts things arent improving, is to see a recommended, qualified, and anxiety experienced behaviourist or a vet behaviourist for an assessment, and trust them. Best of luck, I hope things improve soon.

All good advice above IMO.

As much as leaping straight to the medication option is a bad idea, so is not considering it when it could be beneficial for the dog.

Don't forget Steph, whatever path you guys take, it has to be one you are comfortable with. You are clearly committed, caring and sensible dog owners so by all means take on all the advice you can get but trust your own instincts as well

[tdierikx]

Nekh will advise medication if it's needed...

T.

[persephone]

Nekh will advise medication if it's needed...

T.

..if her magic doesn't work ....

[tdierikx]

Nekh will advise medication if it's needed...

T.

..if her magic doesn't work ....

Her magic does tend to work well, doesn't it?

T.