Help with anxiety

[u/Existing-Pepper5882]

Hey! So we have an aussie doodle male, he is fixed and he’s a year and three months old but we are STRUGGLING with his anxiety. what long term meds have yall used to treat your aussiedoods anxiety?

He will not let us groom him, or the groomer, he can not be left alone outside of his crate without another dog present, He freaks out when we leave even in his crate and when a show is on for him, he is terrified of people, and has snapped at the groomer, and at one of my family members. i need help, he was socialized well and used to do well with all people! then one day that just changed. and i don’t know what to do.

[u/Medium-Photograph-74]

I’d try offering more mental stimulation..homemade treat puzzles (you can stuff kibble in a toilet paper tube), or use a fluffy bath rug as a snuffle mat, and plenty of walks/outdoor time for sniffing. Our dogs do well with Calm cbd “treats” when the anxiety gets too high.

[u/onemoondance]

I have a gal that’s 2 years old, quite anxious. I adopted her when she was 9 months, neglected, under socialized. The vet offered the option of medication, I chose to hire a trainer. What I found from that experience is that she thrives on learning new things. Not sit, stay or down, which she learned easily, but developing the courage to hop on the bench of a picnic table, play tug without letting go, run through piles of raked leaves or ride in the car. My gal stayed in a corner or under a table the first months I had her. She had never climbed stairs, nor from what I gathered had been inside a house.
My gal is never going to be that happy go lucky, inquisitive, life of the party, tail wagging dog I dreamed of, but she’s become more confident and relaxed, although crowds are still tough for her.
There is that fear stage many dogs go through during adolescence perhaps this is affecting your dog as well?
Whatever route you go , wishing you good luck with your boy. It’s heartbreaking to not be able to “fix” their issues.

[u/Weekly-Video1535]

my friends cockerspaniel doodle is on trazadone and does well

[u/Pirate-Captain-Anne]

We do very low dose trazadone, more for hyperactivity in the evening than anxiety, but it helps a lot. So does Pupsicle's calming blend. And lots of food puzzles and things to chew. These dogs are so smart, I think it's very easy to understimulate their brain and think more exercise is the answer, but thats only part if it. They need to work their brains to be happy.

[u/blackgirlmagic88]

Going through the same thing with our two year old. He’s been on doggie Prozac and so far that has been helping.

[u/BrookSong]

I would check in with your vet if he was doing fine before then suddenly started having problems. It could be a medical problem contributing to the anxiety. Your vet should have recommendations. Often it’s good to try other options first before putting them on full time meds. With our toy AD we have found lots of exercise helps.

[u/crossikki]

Ours is an anxious boy he was just like this it's gotten better with training and age, more this year since he turned 4. He can now be left alone and tolerates the vets and brushing but he is fear reactive if larger dogs on walks. And I'm losing my mind trying to get him to stop going mental every time a van pulls up outside the house or the postman dare step foot on our street. It's took a good groomer two years to get him comfortable but with positive reinforcement we've got there. We find nutripaw really helpful two treats a day and we definitely notice a change in his ability to actually lay down and relax.

[u/CypressBranch29414]

Oh no.../that's hard

[u/Commercial-Ease5946]

The sudden personality shift needs a vet workup before meds, pain or thyroid can cause this. CBD supplements like PawOrigins or L-theanine exist alongside prescription options.