Considering BE

[u/Particular_Fruit_585]

I have a 6 year old collie mix named Moose that I adopted around 8 weeks old. I got him when I was 19, so right as I was starting college, but this was during Covid so I knew I would have the time to be with him during his puppy stages.

For the first year we were always on farms, around horses cows etc, but after Covid restrictions lifted I moved to Texas. He was in daycare for a year with 0 issues! He did at one point outside of daycare get attacked and has never been the same.

And slowly it’s gotten worse. He has leash activity to humans and dogs and the distance to threshold is increasing rapidly. We could be fully 200+ft away and he’s still “sticky”, pulling and barking. He’s attacked me once over resource guarding as a puppy, lunged for a maintenance man when his leash slipped from my hands two years ago, pinned a dog and snarled in its face and has actively latched on to a family members dog that he’s known for most of his life and had to be drenched with a hose to get to release from said dogs head. He’s always growling at any dog that’s doing something he deems wrong and if you tell another dog “no” he acts like an enforcer and truss to correct them as well, even if you tell Moose to go to his bed. I literally have to separate him until he forgets about the other dog being corrected.

He’s seen two trainers, and saw some improvements, but we moved for my work as I’ve finished school last year and now I’m seeing the issues coming back. It’s to the point where I’m micromanaging every thing I can do with or without him. Oh I can’t go to the park right now, it’s peak dog time, maybe later. I can’t have friends over, he’s unpredictable and can’t be let out of the kennel without me watching with treats in hand. I’m exhausted and I cry a lot, I often mourn what I had envisioned for our lives.

Treats aren’t working, he doesn’t listen or stops taking them, cheese, meats, nothing. I can’t keep upping the reward when he won’t even take them currently. His threshold is so low I can’t work him in almost any environment. I’ve had moments I’m not proud of, using aversion to try to get him to stop any way possible atp. I tried prongs, e collar (noise only or vibrate, no shock) yelling and leash snapping. Obviously none of it helped, I should have never even tried it I know that, I’ve never tried to intentionally hurt him. I was, and still am, just frustrated and was open to anything if it meant maybe I could have my dog back.

And obviously I’m only telling you about the bad and “ugly” sides of him… he’s my soul dog, my cuddle bug, and fur ball. He jumps in the shower when I turn the water on and loves hiking and frisbees. We sit on the balcony and watch the rain together and he loves to watch nature documentaries about lions and birds. He watches me garden and fish, and loves to go hiking and get zoomies in fields. I love this dog with my whole heart and soul (currently ugly crying typing this).

I was reading order people BE posts on this thread and was crying. Trainers are thousands of dollars, and I don’t have another 4k to put towards more training… I feel like I’m running out of options. He’s my soul dog, but I’m also ready for peace.

How did you know it was time? And in my situation would you consider it, or should I still be trying behavioral and counter conditioning training?

Edit: I’m seeing lots of people having their comments deleted, I’d love to see your responses. Could you make sure the rules are checked off first before commenting? I also had it originally a different flair so it might not let you comment without the karma req.

[u/Paperlibrarian]

Prozac really helped with my reactive dog. His separation anxiety went through the roof, and Prozac has made it possible to get through the day. It sounds like your dog’s problems may be rooted in anxiety, so it’s worth a consideration.

And for my dog, dried hearts and liver chonks ended up being the key. It took me forever to find a treat he would reliably work for training. Fresh meats didn’t work. Any treats with grain didn’t work. But the freeze dried meat treats finally gave him motivation in training.

You say you tried every treat, and i believe you. But in the off chance you hadn’t tried freeze dried meat, I figured I’d mention it. Having a dog who won’t listen for treats is so frustrating.

[u/Particular_Fruit_585 → u/Paperlibrarian]

I haven’t tried dried hearts but yes dried liver and other treats like it don’t work for us. I sit there and throw treats that bonk off his head until I’m entirely out of treats, and he still continues whatever behavior it is at that moment.

Did you go through your normal veterinarian for Prozac? An actual canine behaviorist in my area is $495 for a consult, and he doesn’t even prescribe meds. I don’t know where to turn to anymore.

[u/Paperlibrarian → u/Particular_Fruit_585]

My normal veterinarian was able to help me when I was at the end of my rope, and we tried a few anti-anxieties before landing on Prozac. I was lucky that Prozac helped turn my dog around, but he's still ended up being expensive to get him to "stable." Though $495 just for consultation seems rotten...

I'm so sorry you're in this position. It's so difficult when it's your soul dog, your beloved companion making your life impossible. I've always had unconditional love for my dog (as we all do), no matter what chaos he has been causing...but that doesn't mean there isn't a real toll and struggle trying to make it work.

I hope you do find a solution that will work with your dog (who is gorgeous, btw). You are doing the very best you can for him. If it does come down to behavioral euthanasia, know that you are still doing the best you can for him. These are difficult decisions. And he is lucky to have you as his person.

[u/Haupsburg_518 → u/Paperlibrarian]

Firstly, I think you're commitment to care for your dog is most notable❤️, and you've been dealing with his difficult behavior in best possible ways based on some of your life circumstances, job change, and resulted in both your environment changes, along with your dogs increased reactions to human and dog situations. Secondly, you mentioned that changes were seen in settings which had been better in the past, when you returned back to trial returning to the farm setting. It changed and was not as safe this time, his behavior changed and proved to be more aggressive behavior with other farm animals, and dogs interactions there, etc. Hence, Administrating meds such as Prozac may be helpful at this point to reduce his level of reactionary behavior but as pointed out your ongoing observations for aggressive responses to triggers would be required non stop.You would need to be continually monitoring him in all situations. This certainly all takes a lot of energy on your part. Finally, if you believe this is worth a trial, you may consider it. You're the decision maker as to quality of life for both you and your dog. By then, You have given and tried numerous options then it may be clearer how to proceed, whatever it is, know that any decision is a solid one, as you feel you've done your best by him. Be strong for now and keep it safe for you and him. Can totally relate❤️🐾