When did you know it was time….for doggy Prozac?

[Anonymous]

We were told she’s grow out of all the behaviors by age 2 but here we are still having major issues that all seek to point to anxiety: separation issues (like we go upstairs and come back down and she’s panting because we are finally back…. 5 min later, reacts to the small child next door riding his bike, and let’s forget about packages being delivered without her barking so aggressively she seems like an attack dog suddenly, can’t have the door or front blinds open, can’t have friends over because it gets her too excited, occasionally chews toys beyond repair, requires medicine for allergies otherwise she chews her feet, can only eat kibble or she has diarrhea, never sits next to us but instead wanders around looking for something to do or chew, and just generally never seems calm unless sleeping in her crate. She’s an 80 pound hound who doesn’t seem settled even with all that we have done to give her consistently, rules, and training. 3 long walks a day plus running a 5k a few days a week. Does this sound like a dog that medication can help?

[Anonymous]

Try and find out. There is no harm in it. Trazadone is good, too

[Anonymous]

I don't know from personal experience, but this sounds like a total nightmare. I'd try anything and everything to get it under control so...now?

My pup had a Trazadone RX after neutering and while it was helpful for a few days it really drug her out in a way I wouldn't have liked long term.

I would ask your Vet. Godspeed.

[Anonymous]

Prozac has made a WORLD of difference for our ten year-old Westie (puppy mill pull, abuse, etc), whose anxiety seemed to get worse with age. Our vet also prescribed trazadone to get us through a big remodel, and then we stepped down to Prozac. I agree with the PP about how trazadone can make them zombies, but sometimes you have to do that to get through a period of upheaval at home.

It will take several months to get it in her system and then to see the effects, and you will probably have to adjust dosage a few times, but it does help with the anxiety some dogs have - ours was manic barking and stress pee, she has huge issues with strange men, and she was starting to get really reactive to DH just looking at her.

[Anonymous]

She goes on walks and runs with you, what about running around/silly playtime with a ball, frisbee, or tug toy? Is she good with other dogs? Maybe doggie daycare or get her signed up with a trainer-walker who will match her with similar dogs and take them on hikes. She may need to get tired out mentally through training and dog puzzles.

And Prozac is ok. Ask your vet. My dog takes gabapentin, which helps take the edge off the anxiety he’s developed in his geriatric years.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she needs meds, maybe you can manage without. What have you tried already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told she’s grow out of all the behaviors by age 2 but here we are still having major issues that all seek to point to anxiety: separation issues (like we go upstairs and come back down and she’s panting because we are finally back…. 5 min later, reacts to the small child next door riding his bike, and let’s forget about packages being delivered without her barking so aggressively she seems like an attack dog suddenly, can’t have the door or front blinds open, can’t have friends over because it gets her too excited, occasionally chews toys beyond repair, requires medicine for allergies otherwise she chews her feet, can only eat kibble or she has diarrhea, never sits next to us but instead wanders around looking for something to do or chew, and just generally never seems calm unless sleeping in her crate. She’s an 80 pound hound who doesn’t seem settled even with all that we have done to give her consistently, rules, and training. 3 long walks a day plus running a 5k a few days a week. Does this sound like a dog that medication can help?

See a veterinary behaviorist and let them assess her. Some of this just sounds like being a dog like chewing up toys beyond repair (they're normally made like crap anyway), the allergies thing is a problem for a lot of pets not something prozac is going to fix, and if she can't handle anything else but her kibble don't feed her anything else some dogs are very sensitive to food changes-this is not an anxiety issue.

[Anonymous]

Prozac helped our dog a bunch. After a month or two on Prozac she was making lot of progress. We could actually work on training and take her to doggie daycare.
It does sound like you dog needs a LOT more mental stimulation and training once the Prozac gets going. On the Spot training has great classes including Nose work which is awesome for anxiety. HRA also has great private and group training classes. Best of luck. But seriously try the meds.. if they don't work you can always stop. But, it isnt a magic pi that will stop all unwanted behavior and it won't stop general aggression.

[Anonymous]

Your dog sounds like it has multiple problems. "requires medicine for allergies otherwise she chews her feet, can only eat kibble or she has diarrhea" sounds like allergies to food or something else. Allergies can definitely exacerbate behavioral issues, but Prozac isn't going to solve the allergies.

Some of the others sound like normal young dog stuff (chews toys beyond repair and barking at things) and it's hard to tell whether you're new to having a young dog or if they're really extreme.

Sometimes you can train a dog to be calmer by teaching them to go lie in their bed/on a blanket and rewarding calm behavior. However, I had one dog who needed medication because she had INSANE separation anxiety. Completely well behaved in house with people there but would panic and destroy things, injure herself, and make herself ill if left alone. For that, Prozac helped.

[Anonymous]

We had a beagle mix with severe separation anxiety. We put him on Prozac and it helped make him not totally insane but he still struggled when we left. He was not a relaxing dog. But he was a rescue so we at least gave him a good home for the rest of his days.

[Anonymous]

Google Animal Wellness behavior Center in Fairfax. My rescue had so many issues and it was a living hell and nightmare. We adopted him so we felt that as pet parents we had to do whatever we could before rehoming him. We’ve learned that yes he needed medication however you can’t train a dog if they’re so anxious. You really have to adapt until the medication kicks in and that’s when you and the dog start training. Training is useless until you are both properly equipped to move forward. I also agree with the prior posts about getting him tested for other allergies. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all your help. And yes, she already does have allergies, but it’s a grass thing we think. And we have upped her nose work and are doing sprints with her off leash which she loves. But because she gets worried when we just walk downstairs and back, and After speaking to our vet he recommended giving it a try so we have. I’ll report back in 6-8 weeks when it kicks in.

[Anonymous]

When the dementia started to kick in…