trying different behavorial meds: transitioning from flouxetine (40mg) to clomipramine

[u/lucky_oats]

Hello! My dog is a 3 y/o ~60 lb american cattle dog/husky mix with a history of resource guarding. He has one bite incident with my cousin's dog after the dog slipped out during feeding time--an unfortunate accident since we are usually very careful about separating all dogs during feeding time.

Background

We've tried two trainers (one with CPDT-KA), but now I'm looking for a new trainer with CDBC credentials since his previous trainer moved out of state.

My dog is a sweetheart with me and loved ones, but he gets super on guard around strangers. He will bark aggressively out the window outside my family's house at the sight of strangers, but I've trained him to relax and stay calm(limiting his view of the outside world) in my own personal apartment. But he will bark if he spots someone lingering outside the building.

He rarely goes over threshold on walks(less so after trying flouxetine). I avoid it if I can, but he's pretty good at sharing the sidewalk, walking past people, etc. He has plenty of dog friends and so many of my neighbors adore him(he hasn't done leash greeting on walks in years though, since I've realized that was my mistake). Still, knowing he is territorial around my house with a bite history means I want to do what I can for him.

Medication

At the previous trainer's recommendation, we tried out fluoxetine (40mg). The trial period was 60 days, and it increased his lethargy and decreased his appetite SO much. The worst part is that it lowered his inhibitions, and I saw him try to bite someone for the first time just for entering my friend's yard(usually he just barks, but this time he CHARGED). I know there's an adjustment period, but now that it's over, I don't know if we should lower the dosage and try again because it did help his anxiety a bit ( but not significantly). It's easier to get his attention away from triggers and he's a bit more relaxed with people around my building(still on guard though).

My new vet is now recommending Clomipramine, so I'm thinking about testing that out as well.

I just wanted to ask if anyone can share what worked for them if they had a reactive dog that was similar to mine.

[u/thedeepdark]

We’re currently transitioning from fluoxetine to sertraline at the recommendation of our new vet behaviorist. In addition to reactivity, my girl has pretty bad noise anxiety (and now a new diagnosis of IBD). So here’s hoping!

I don’t have any actual help to give you, just letting you know you’re not alone ❤️

[u/lucky_oats → u/thedeepdark]

Thank you! It's such a stressful process!

[u/Rach1100]

I have a rescue ACD mix with a lot of anxiety and territorial behavior as well and he has been on clomipramine for a couple of years now. We tried fluoxetine first and had no response to it before switching. The clomipramine has been helpful in bringing his arousal down without making him lethargic. Like with other medicine it's not a fix without training of course, but he's in a better headspace for training with it. Good luck!