I adopted a very abused dog and even though he has came along way with training we had to start prescription meds Sept 2022. He was even having diarrhea because of it. He is now doing so much better. He started doing acupuncture as well for arthritis and is so much calmer, less reactive and more loving towards everyone in the household.
Jenna, thank you so much for helping dog owners understand when medication may be indicated. There’s a stigma regarding medication in humans, as well as animals, which can make the decision more difficult for some. We hope that having these discussions with your veterinarian won’t be a “last ditch effort” since they can greatly enhance your pet’s ability to learn while implementing appropriate training via desensitization/counterconditioning. As Jan mentioned, not every veterinarian is comfortable working on behavior issues. If this is the case, look for a Fear Free Certified Practice, or a Veterinary Behaviorist. Veterinary Behaviorists at Universities often can collaborate with general veterinary practitioners on appropriate medications if they should need assistance.
Thank YOU, Michelle! I'm so grateful you're in our little community. We are very lucky to for the opportunity to pick your brain. Thank you for helping us on these videos!
Hi Jenna, thank you so much for all the info! I would love to check out Michelle's presentation as well, but I am unable to access the document, could you please repost it? #thanksjenna and #thanksmichelle
If you believe your pet (dog or cat or horse or bird) may be helped by medication, please make certain the veterinarian you consult has experience prescribing anxiety medication. Not all vets do and prescribing the wrong medication can make the problem worse--not better. And, by the way, serotonin isn't the only neurotransmitter that medication can affect. And if you're giving some over-the-counter anti-anxiety medication, be sure to tell your vet because if the vet doesn't know, he or shoe may actually be over-dosing the dog (which can even cause death). In terms of side effects (such as sedation and not eating), they can occur but are usually temporary (unless the vet prescribes a medication or a dose that results in sedation).
I so agree with the suggestion of making an appointment exclusively for the behavioral issue. And don't be surprised or put off if the vet refers you to a trainer or behaviorist and wants to work with that person. Many vets aren't really interested in behavior (unless they are a veterinary behaviorist). And many vets don't have the training to handle complex behavioral issues (not because they aren't intelligent, not because they aren't good vets, but simply because they don't have the training needed to work with all behavioral issues).
My dog beats on the door like someone is out there trying to kill her sometime. I have to drag her outside just to use the bathroom and her tail is tuck so far what I call her naval and sometimes she is frozen and does slobber just pool on the floor so much drool and her legs is shaking she looked terrified on sometimes she looks so high like she got a hold of some drugs. She leans against the furniture or stare at the wall like she’s barking, but no sound is coming out her mouth. I don’t know what to do. I hate seeing this dog act like that, she was a rescue my brother found her in the alley. She was abused and neglected beat on around her ankles. No fur on them. I need help the vet say yeah but never sit down in. It always cost me a lot of damn money.
I adopted a dog at the very beginning of April of this year. And within a couple of months, I was making an appointment with my vet solely for talking to them about putting my dog on meds because of his reactivity toward people, and other animals, and his separation anxiety. I thought, at the time, that his constant reactivity and hyper-awareness was due to stress/anxiety, but upon doing a DNA test, found out it's actually very common behavior for the breeds he is a mix of. So, it's genetic. He's been on medication since, and they just upped his meds because he actually lunged/barked at the vet tech that came to get him for his most recent appointment. So, I'm praying that the increase in dose works. But, I'm starting to feel hopeless, now knowing that it's genetic. I want to accept him for who/what he is, but also want to make sure that he, other people, and other animals are safe! So, it's quite the double-edged sword, for sure!
Hey ashley! just as a reminder - it's not about working ***against**** genetics. It's not even about trying to eradicate genetics. It's about trying to work ***with*** genetics. Many breeds (and species for that matter) have defensive genes. But that doesn't mean those genes have to control the dog's perception of the world. We alter the perception of the world so that those genes don't feel so compelled to activate.
For reactivity you must find a GOOD trainer, upping meds wont change this reaction unless paired with training and no good trainer/behaviourist would suggest meds as a first port of call, if at all.
Anxiety medication can be a bit of an art and a science. Vets will typically start out a vet low dose and dosages may need to be adjusted (upward or downward). So it may take a bit of time for the vet to hit on the correct dosage. Again, this isn't because this isn't a good vet. Anxiety medication isn't an exact science and it is extremely common for vets to have to adjust dosages from time to time.
Calling anxiety medication for dogs "behavior meds" seems very cold and clinic. Like, we'd never call it that with humans on anxiety meds. It makes it sounds like you only care about making your dog behave the way you want rather than wanting the dog to feel better/less anxious for ITS benefit.
Plus she is destroying my furniture. She’s tearing up a TV stand knocking over stuff just doing stuff that’s not right and pulling and peeing I get up I’m take this dog out and everything. She’s two years old in September. She will be three years of age.
I just can't help myself We just tend to lose sight of how many wolves we lose to suicide every year. Its a global epidemic brought about by pollution. I'm sure there should be programs in place where the wolves can recieve mental health treatment and perhaps a support group. I just wonder how many dog suicides could have been prevented and why the President still hasn't responded to my MANY letters addressing this problem. I truly do apologize for the sarcasm but you made it irresistible and I will understand if you erase this comment...lol :) I once saw a dog who was diagnosed with about 10 different mental health issues and on like 20 pills. Im beginning to question the sanity of the people and not the dogs.
All opinions are welcome on my channel including and especially those with whom I disagree. 😉 And you are absolutely right that over diagnosing can be a significant problem that the dog industry on the whole must work to rectify. This is 100% true in my opinion. I will say as a reminder, though, that artificial selection has DRASTICALLY evolved dogs away from wolves, and the two are not the same. Nor should they be compaired as if they are the same. That's just empiracal fact. We have genetically intervened with how dogs are raised and behave on a daily basis. This has undoubtedly affected the dogs for the worse in some cases. It is greatly hypothesized by the scientific community that many of the anxiety-related disorders we see in domestic dogs are a byproduct of this artificial tampering we humans have committed. Thus, we are solely responsible for treating this disorders in the best ways we possibly can. In *some* cases, this means with behavior meds AND behavior training protocols.
The interesting part is that we probably had few dogs with anxiety issues back when we had an agrarian economy since dogs that didn’t work, didn’t survive. Urban life has delegated many dogs to lifestyles with high stress - exposure to things that would make a wolf tweak and become aggressive, yet we have the full expectation that dogs should be “fine” with it. Evolution hasn’t always been kind to man’s best friend, since the closer they are enmeshed in our daily lives, the higher the expectation that they should be able to tolerate anything we throw at them. Some just can’t due to genetics, early life experiences, trauma, and poor training. I don’t think it’s too far fetched to understand dogs can suffer from mental conditions.
I adopted a very abused dog and even though he has came along way with training we had to start prescription meds Sept 2022. He was even having diarrhea because of it. He is now doing so much better. He started doing acupuncture as well for arthritis and is so much calmer, less reactive and more loving towards everyone in the household.
Jenna, thank you so much for helping dog owners understand when medication may be indicated. There’s a stigma regarding medication in humans, as well as animals, which can make the decision more difficult for some. We hope that having these discussions with your veterinarian won’t be a “last ditch effort” since they can greatly enhance your pet’s ability to learn while implementing appropriate training via desensitization/counterconditioning. As Jan mentioned, not every veterinarian is comfortable working on behavior issues. If this is the case, look for a Fear Free Certified Practice, or a Veterinary Behaviorist. Veterinary Behaviorists at Universities often can collaborate with general veterinary practitioners on appropriate medications if they should need assistance.
Thank YOU, Michelle! I'm so grateful you're in our little community. We are very lucky to for the opportunity to pick your brain. Thank you for helping us on these videos!
@michelle the powerpoint cannot be accessed. Can you repost it? Great info!
Hi Jenna, thank you so much for all the info! I would love to check out Michelle's presentation as well, but I am unable to access the document, could you please repost it? #thanksjenna and #thanksmichelle
Same issue here
If you believe your pet (dog or cat or horse or bird) may be helped by medication, please make certain the veterinarian you consult has experience prescribing anxiety medication. Not all vets do and prescribing the wrong medication can make the problem worse--not better. And, by the way, serotonin isn't the only neurotransmitter that medication can affect. And if you're giving some over-the-counter anti-anxiety medication, be sure to tell your vet because if the vet doesn't know, he or shoe may actually be over-dosing the dog (which can even cause death). In terms of side effects (such as sedation and not eating), they can occur but are usually temporary (unless the vet prescribes a medication or a dose that results in sedation).
I so agree with the suggestion of making an appointment exclusively for the behavioral issue. And don't be surprised or put off if the vet refers you to a trainer or behaviorist and wants to work with that person. Many vets aren't really interested in behavior (unless they are a veterinary behaviorist). And many vets don't have the training to handle complex behavioral issues (not because they aren't intelligent, not because they aren't good vets, but simply because they don't have the training needed to work with all behavioral issues).
Super video🤩
No amount of melatonin or calming supplements helps my dog with her isolation anxiety (being home alone).
My dog beats on the door like someone is out there trying to kill her sometime. I have to drag her outside just to use the bathroom and her tail is tuck so far what I call her naval and sometimes she is frozen and does slobber just pool on the floor so much drool and her legs is shaking she looked terrified on sometimes she looks so high like she got a hold of some drugs. She leans against the furniture or stare at the wall like she’s barking, but no sound is coming out her mouth. I don’t know what to do. I hate seeing this dog act like that, she was a rescue my brother found her in the alley. She was abused and neglected beat on around her ankles. No fur on them. I need help the vet say yeah but never sit down in. It always cost me a lot of damn money.
It sounds like seizures. Epilepsy is common in lots of breeds.
My blue heeler def has OCD we can only walk one way around the block. heaven forbid if i make him get in the wrong dog of the car. urgh
I adopted a dog at the very beginning of April of this year. And within a couple of months, I was making an appointment with my vet solely for talking to them about putting my dog on meds because of his reactivity toward people, and other animals, and his separation anxiety.
I thought, at the time, that his constant reactivity and hyper-awareness was due to stress/anxiety, but upon doing a DNA test, found out it's actually very common behavior for the breeds he is a mix of. So, it's genetic. He's been on medication since, and they just upped his meds because he actually lunged/barked at the vet tech that came to get him for his most recent appointment.
So, I'm praying that the increase in dose works. But, I'm starting to feel hopeless, now knowing that it's genetic. I want to accept him for who/what he is, but also want to make sure that he, other people, and other animals are safe! So, it's quite the double-edged sword, for sure!
Hey ashley! just as a reminder - it's not about working ***against**** genetics. It's not even about trying to eradicate genetics. It's about trying to work ***with*** genetics. Many breeds (and species for that matter) have defensive genes. But that doesn't mean those genes have to control the dog's perception of the world. We alter the perception of the world so that those genes don't feel so compelled to activate.
For reactivity you must find a GOOD trainer, upping meds wont change this reaction unless paired with training and no good trainer/behaviourist would suggest meds as a first port of call, if at all.
how has it gone?
Anxiety medication can be a bit of an art and a science. Vets will typically start out a vet low dose and dosages may need to be adjusted (upward or downward). So it may take a bit of time for the vet to hit on the correct dosage. Again, this isn't because this isn't a good vet. Anxiety medication isn't an exact science and it is extremely common for vets to have to adjust dosages from time to time.
"Anxiety meds can be an art and a science." SUCH TRUE WORDS!!!!
Calling anxiety medication for dogs "behavior meds" seems very cold and clinic. Like, we'd never call it that with humans on anxiety meds. It makes it sounds like you only care about making your dog behave the way you want rather than wanting the dog to feel better/less anxious for ITS benefit.
This is an excellent point. You're right. Thank you for correcting me. I'll make the word change moving forward. Thank you for commenting.
@@getacalmdog That's awesome! :)
💜🐾🐾💜
Plus she is destroying my furniture. She’s tearing up a TV stand knocking over stuff just doing stuff that’s not right and pulling and peeing I get up I’m take this dog out and everything. She’s two years old in September. She will be three years of age.
I just can't help myself
We just tend to lose sight of how many wolves we lose to suicide every year. Its a global epidemic brought about by pollution.
I'm sure there should be programs in place where the wolves can recieve mental health treatment and perhaps a support group.
I just wonder how many dog suicides could have been prevented and why the President still hasn't responded to my MANY letters addressing this problem.
I truly do apologize for the sarcasm but you made it irresistible and I will understand if you erase this comment...lol :)
I once saw a dog who was diagnosed with about 10 different mental health issues and on like 20 pills. Im beginning to question the sanity of the people and not the dogs.
All opinions are welcome on my channel including and especially those with whom I disagree. 😉 And you are absolutely right that over diagnosing can be a significant problem that the dog industry on the whole must work to rectify. This is 100% true in my opinion. I will say as a reminder, though, that artificial selection has DRASTICALLY evolved dogs away from wolves, and the two are not the same. Nor should they be compaired as if they are the same. That's just empiracal fact. We have genetically intervened with how dogs are raised and behave on a daily basis. This has undoubtedly affected the dogs for the worse in some cases. It is greatly hypothesized by the scientific community that many of the anxiety-related disorders we see in domestic dogs are a byproduct of this artificial tampering we humans have committed. Thus, we are solely responsible for treating this disorders in the best ways we possibly can. In *some* cases, this means with behavior meds AND behavior training protocols.
PS. It's good to see you still commenting, my friend. I missed you. Hahah
@@getacalmdog pretty good theories, I think you may be on to something.
The interesting part is that we probably had few dogs with anxiety issues back when we had an agrarian economy since dogs that didn’t work, didn’t survive. Urban life has delegated many dogs to lifestyles with high stress - exposure to things that would make a wolf tweak and become aggressive, yet we have the full expectation that dogs should be “fine” with it. Evolution hasn’t always been kind to man’s best friend, since the closer they are enmeshed in our daily lives, the higher the expectation that they should be able to tolerate anything we throw at them. Some just can’t due to genetics, early life experiences, trauma, and poor training. I don’t think it’s too far fetched to understand dogs can suffer from mental conditions.