When I became increasingly concerned about Tyson's fears, I talked to the vet during our annual exam. I simply said something like, "I'm concerned about his behavior, especially his fearfulness, and wonder if medication would be appropriate." The vet didn't think he needed it, but referred me to a "vet with an interest in behavior." I wasn't impressed with his credentials or public persona, so we didn't see him.
I found a local board certified veterinary behaviorist and made an appointment with her. We discussed medication at the appointment. She didn't think it would make a huge difference for him, but prescribed fluoxetine and discusses other additions if we felt they were necessary.
I don't think that psychoactive drugs are a forever thing. For some dogs, maybe; for dogs who need a little extra help to get over their fears, they can probably be weaned off.
If you have a vet behaviorist locally, I'd recommend making an appointment for an evaluation and to discuss your concerns.
Suzanne Clothier has a brief article on how to tell if your dog is a candidate for medication. It's a nice perspective. This article by Debbie Jacobs seems to have good resources, too.
Good luck!
I found a local board certified veterinary behaviorist and made an appointment with her. We discussed medication at the appointment. She didn't think it would make a huge difference for him, but prescribed fluoxetine and discusses other additions if we felt they were necessary.
I don't think that psychoactive drugs are a forever thing. For some dogs, maybe; for dogs who need a little extra help to get over their fears, they can probably be weaned off.
If you have a vet behaviorist locally, I'd recommend making an appointment for an evaluation and to discuss your concerns.
Suzanne Clothier has a brief article on how to tell if your dog is a candidate for medication. It's a nice perspective. This article by Debbie Jacobs seems to have good resources, too.
Good luck!
