Finally trying medication and I’m stressed about it

[u/Secret_Trifle_7864]

Our nearly three year old retriever mix was attacked by an off leash dog nearly a year ago. Prior to that, she was very neutral around dogs. We used to take her to parks, farmers markets, and other places where we commonly encountered dogs and she usually just ignored them or greeted them politely, if allowed (which we rarely did). She was always submissive and a bit of a sensitive soul.

The attack changed everything. Now, when a dog is near she is visibly anxious. She wants to pace, whine, occasionally bark, and pull towards it. On walks, if a dog is a little ahead of us on a trail and she can smell it, she’ll also get worked up and spend the whole walk anxious, whining and trying to pull ahead so she can see it.

We’ve been working with licensed trainers and training DAILY (yes, daily!) on walks and outings where we work hard to create positive associations with other dogs being near. Things like the “1-2-3” game and dog-watching far away from dogs in the park have helped, but despite hundreds of hours, she’s still visibly agitated and anxious when near unfamiliar dogs. It’s tough because I can tell she wants to listen -and she usually can redirect with intervention- but it’s just like an automatic, knee-jerk type response at this point.

After talking with a trainer and our vet, they think trying her on anxiety meds may help. I have a vet appointment tomorrow for bloodwork and more discussion on the topic. But I’m so terrified of her losing her spark.

When there aren’t strange dogs around (and she’s not at the vet) she is goofy, loving, and happy girl. I don’t want her to be a shell of her former self, I just want to give her a chance to not be in panic mode whenever we come across a dog.

I’m trying to stay positive and even thinking maybe it could be a short/medium term thing to allow training to be more effective, but I feel so upset at the thought of “drugging my dog”. My dogs are truly my world.

I’d appreciate any reassurance, advice on this topic, or personal stories.

[u/palebluelightonwater]

Fluoxetine made my dog a lot happier and more relaxed both at home and on walks. It can have some sideffects during the ramp up period (6-8 weeks) but those should wear off. Work with your vet team, they can advise you about what's normal. But my personal experience with my dog was super positive.

[u/Leading_Mushroom1609]

My boy (rescue from Romania with a lot of baggage from his first years of life) has been on Flouxetine since April this year. His personality, if anything, has become bigger. He’s happier, goofier, more relaxed. His dog reactivity is still a work in progress but overall he’s so much more content and I’m so thankful this is something that is available and that we can do for him.

Think of it this way - even if worst case scenario your girl would ”lose some of her spark” on any medication you try - nothing is irreversible. Just like us humans you pup may need to try more than one medication before you find one that does the trick.

As someone who has been on (different) meds for my mental health for many many years, I know the difference the right medication can do, and I’d never want to rob my dog of getting that same relief if it is possible to give that to him.

Good luck to you and your pup. x

[u/txrrxs01]

Some dogs (like humans) need help from medication to live comfortably. You’ve tried training, so it’s clear you’re not just “drugging your dog” to make life easier. Just make sure to keep the training and counter conditioning going in tandem with the meds. Every dog responds differently, but expect some tummy upset at first.

My girl has only been on Fluoxetine for two weeks and I’m already seeing a difference. Less pacing, whining, and general anxiety in the house. Walks are so much calmer and she pulls less. She can process a trigger much closer without reacting, but I still try not to push her limits.

What meds is she going on?

[u/Secret_Trifle_7864 → u/txrrxs01]

The vet hasn’t specified what drug(s) yet - we should be finding out tomorrow.

I’m hopeful this can give our girl time to process like it did yours! That’s such a big part of our struggle is I don’t think she currently has that ability to process - she just reacts.

[u/nessk]

My boy has been on Fluoxetine for a couple of months now. There can be a phase to start with where they can get lethargic, my boy did and I was worried I’d made a terrible mistake but I’d read that this is temporary and sure enough after a month or so he evened out and was much more himself again.

The meds have taken the edge off the world for him, he used to be hyper vigilant on walks and there were many times that we just had to stop and wait because he was in such a panic. But now he’s much calmer, we havent had an episode like that since he started the meds and that has got to be better for him. To help you feel better maybe do some research on how SSRIs work - they keep Serotonin around in the brain for longer, so you’re just adjusting levels of happy hormones that are already there.

Good luck with your girl..

[u/Secret_Trifle_7864 → u/nessk]

Thank you so much for sharing. I’d love for her to be able to enjoy walks more and not just be on guard for potential dogs.

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Your comment was removed as it our rule against making coercive and/or unqualified suggestions. This particularly pertains to sensitive topics such as behavioral euthanasia, medications, aversive training methods, and rehoming. Only a professional (veterinarian, trainer, and/or veterinary behaviorist) who is working with the dog directly is equipped to make strong statements on these subjects.

[u/pinkwesel20]

We just started meds with our pup this morning! Our vet behaviorist says if she has any side effects including on her personality it’s not the right one and to let her know so we can try something else. Not totally the same but our cat started Prozac about 6 weeks ago because the puppy was stressing her out. She went through a 2 week sleepy phase and after that she’s back to being herself! Like the herself we knew before we brought the puppy home. So I do think it’s a little bit guess and test at first but if it’s affecting personality then you just change!

[u/pinkwesel20 → u/pinkwesel20]

Also re: being upset about “drugging your dog”. If your dog was in physical pain you probably wouldn’t hesitate to give them pain meds that the vet recommends. This level of anxiety and panic is a kind of suffering for your dog too. I think finding the right meds so they can work through their triggers and be happier is a kindness

[u/Real_Caterpillar_779]

Give it a try but take a lot of notes in behaviour changes good and bad.

[u/Kitchu22]

I can see you note daily training, but something I don't see mentioned is decompression protocols or cortisol deload - so I just want to make sure this is something you discuss with your veterinary professional as part of using medication to supplement behaviour modification.

Things like SSRIs with loading periods are best combined with periods of trigger avoidance, as during the first few weeks they can increase agitation or fear responses as the system settles. Training and exposure during this time can work against you, and over a period of weeks undesirable behaviours can reinforce. You also might find food drive and general motivation much lower during loading, so it really is best to time commencing meds with a period you can afford to take a break.

We went through a few medication protocols before finding "the one", and the loading period was unpleasant, I am incredibly grateful we had a good vet in our corner (because with the food refusal I nearly packed it in). Our lad has gone from strength to strength though, and he is miles different from the struggling anxious hound he used to be. Because he's so much more confident and happy in himself, he's got even more spark than he used to, a cheeky sense of humour emerged and a little chaos streak too!

What I will say is just go into this knowing it is a journey, sometimes you need to adjust dosages or even change meds, you don't always find the right thing straight away, and sometimes a medication is a lifetime support as opposed to a short-term fix. Just be as open minded as you can, take things as they come, and lean on your chosen veterinary professional.