Loba Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I own a beautiful dog from a DOL breeder. He has an extraordinarily loving temperament (unusual in my thirty years experience of dogs) is very bright, trainable and also a gorgeous looking dog. He is approx 18 months old desexed up to date with vacinations etc. He was a very cheerful out going puppy when he came to us at ten weeks, attended puppy class and was well-socialised. He was always happy and friendly but perhaps a little slow to warm up to new people (a breed characteristic) However literally the week he turned 10 months old he became fearful. I understand fear periods in dogs but this was on a level I have never encountered. His list of fears includes (but is not limited to) parked cars, moving cars, men, women, children, people walking a=way ahead of us on a public street, people walking behind us unless they are more than 300 yards away, any noises at all ie noises he has previously encountered such as cars starting next door or school bells down the road, any new place - beach, park etc. I made sure to not reward his flattening himself out and lunging to hide under anything at all (ie parked cars or benches) and rewarded his moving forward. However he is too terrified to take any treats at all (yes I have tried food, toys, tug toys etc) when he is in that state and patting him or talking to him has no effect. He only wants to climb up into my lap (he weighs approx 30 kgs) and as soon as we turn to go home or back to the car uie safety he is almost uncontrollable in his frenzy to get there. It has now been almost nine months and nothing s helping. I am beginning now to dread taking him for a walk as even our usual walks spook him and the idea of taking him to a new surrounding (which we have tried) borders on being cruel as he is so frightened the entire time. At home he is cheerful, bright, very very loving, gentle with our children and a perfect dog (although yes he is terrified of visitors and hides till they are gone if he is able) The behaviourist we consulted tried and failed to make any progress at all with him and suggested he needed anti-anxiety drugs which we are loathe to do. He is well-trained and yes if i command him to *Heel!* when he is scared he will do it but his tail is down, he trembles and drools and it seems terribly cruel to force him to obey when he is distressed. WE have discussed rehoming him but he is extremely attached to us - when I was away for six weeks and left him at home with my adult daughter he lost over 12 kgs. My question is - is there a chance that his quality of life will improve? Some others of his breeding also display some high anxiety behaviour. In one case, one of the owners of a littermate simply no longer takes her dog anywhere. She says he is happy at home so why take him out? I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubiton Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Have you taken him out in the car - is he scared there or is he ok (as in a drive to nowhere or if you need to go to the shop to get something etc and he stays in the car). What has the vet said about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 So have you tried the medication option,you say you loathe it but hav you tried to see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 If a behaviourist recommended anti-anxiety medication I would likely take their advice. If a leg is broken you put it in plaster. Medication should be PART of a behavioural plan not the one and only solution. I would not rehome this dog. Have you spoken to the breeder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loba Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share Posted August 2, 2016 Thank you both for your replies. Yes we did try the medication but it has many other undesirable side effects physically and yes, he will get in the car happily and settle down but if another car is behind us or beside us he begins to tremble and cry and dig through the upholstery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Thank you both for your replies. Yes we did try the medication but it has many other undesirable side effects physically and yes, he will get in the car happily and settle down but if another car is behind us or beside us he begins to tremble and cry and dig through the upholstery. There are a few different medications and it can take a while to find the right dose. Did you see a veterinary behaviourist or is your vet very familiar with anti-anxiety medication? I have seen similar dogs as a consequence of various circumstances and some of them can't progress without medication. When a dog can't take treats they are over arousal threshold and can't possibly learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 What does the Vet say .Has he had a complete check out and tests to see if the cause is a health issue ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loba Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share Posted August 2, 2016 Yes he has had very thorough medical exams including a range of bloodtests. I would be more likely I guess to consider the drugs if he wasnt such a young dog - is it fair to have him medicated for the rest of his life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Yes he has had very thorough medical exams including a range of bloodtests. I would be more likely I guess to consider the drugs if he wasnt such a young dog - is it fair to have him medicated for the rest of his life? Much fairer than being in a constant state of fear and anxiety. Have you spoken with the breeder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 (edited) Yes, your dog's quality of life will improve if you get him help for his anxiety. If your dog needed insulin because his pancreas wasn't functioning properly would you be "loathe" to give that to him? If your dog is suffering from anxiety his brain isn't functioning properly and he deserves treatment which may include medication. See a veterinary behaviourist, follow their instructions, and watch your dog's quality of life improve tenfold. Edited August 2, 2016 by Papillon Kisses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 If he is happy at home, leave him at home. :) Play games with him at home, teach him tricks, etc. But yes, I would try medication. Rehoming is not a solution - he will still be fearful, just in a different location. What breed is he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Yes he has had very thorough medical exams including a range of bloodtests. I would be more likely I guess to consider the drugs if he wasnt such a young dog - is it fair to have him medicated for the rest of his life? It depends if the medication allows him to have a good life ,I know it is hard i had a Cocker Spaniel with a brain disorder and chose to have her pts rather than heavy sedation. Perhaps if you could talk to other dog owners who have dogs on medication for similar reason before you decide. Don't consider re homing as i believe the dog would not cope well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loba Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share Posted August 2, 2016 Maybe so - I just feel so torn. Yes I have been in touch with the breeder frequently - she is not in a position to take him back unfortunately. She feels he will outgrow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Anti anxiety medications are not sedatives. They reduce anxiety, they don't just make the dog sleepy. Sedating an anxious dog is just cruel - they still feel anxious but also feel sleepy and out of control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Yes, you need to find a good veterinary behaviourist who can work with you to find the right medication/s to work for him. Medicating him if he needs it isn't cruel, regardless of age, like PK says if he needed medication for a different medical condition would you not give it to him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Maybe so - I just feel so torn. Yes I have been in touch with the breeder frequently - she is not in a position to take him back unfortunately. She feels he will outgrow it. Has the breeder known other dogs that have been the same and recovered or is it wishful thinking on her part. Perhaps try the medication for 6 months to see if there is any improvement while you get more advise from professionals and others in a similar situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I do hope the breeder considers very carefully before producing more pups of this breeding given that this is an issue that has come up more than once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Poor bugger, I wish you both the best of luck I'm hoping that breeder isn't still breeding that particular pair, if some of his litter mates are also so badly affected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Gifts Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I have a foster fail who experienced an incident that has left her fearful. She likes everything the same - hates leaving the house on walks (stress poos the whole outing), vomits if being taken out in the car. Gets very hyper if our other dog leaves the house too. It takes about 10 visits to my house for her to accept a 'stranger' without circling and barking and generally being unable to settle. As a young dog she clearly still needs exercise and variety in her day. We've had a couple of different behaviourists and all their advice has assisted. Most recently we were advised to start using food games to stimulate and tire her mind. It took a while for her to understand why we were hiding perfectly good food but now she looks forward to the challenges and it has really changed her behaviour. I'm thinking of trying Nosework now, again at home. She is calmer and more confident after just 7 months on our current regime. She settles quicker with strangers (they will never be able to touch her) and we don't force her to have exercise off the property or go for what we believe are enjoyable car rides because they aren't for her. We manage. She is extremely bonded to us and I doubt she would manage being rehomed (or even kenneled). Us abandoning her is her greatest fear. We haven't needed to medicate her but we would if it was in her best interests or she was a danger to herself. I previously had a stafford who had a lot of fears and would chew his way through steel in a panic to get to a human when something frightened him. We managed that by him rarely being alone, even if that meant he spent the day with a lovely neighbour, my parents or he came to work with me. He was also medicated all his life but it was mixed with homeopathic treatments too. He lived like that till he was almost 13 years but his panic was still his ultimate downfall. I learned from him not to try and fix everything to suit what I thought was right for him. So now, just because my pei girl doesn't want to leave the house for stimulation doesn't mean I can't provide it for her at home. I will never again force a dog to overcome a fear. I will try but if it isn't working I will stop and accept their reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 (edited) Anti anxiety medications are not sedatives. They reduce anxiety, they don't just make the dog sleepy. Sedating an anxious dog is just cruel - they still feel anxious but also feel sleepy and out of control. Yes they are not the same at all..My dog did not have anxiety she had a brain disorder and the Vet said only option was she could be sedated for the rest of her life and i chose pts rather than do that to her. Edited August 2, 2016 by Purdie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now