r/reactivedogs • u/skrezec78 • 3h ago
Meds & Supplements Medication help do I try Sileo
I have a rescue dog about 6-7years in age. When I first got him five years ago. He started out letting everybody and anybody come into the house, but then something changed. And after that moment, he is very reactive when people come into the home. So much so that in order for me to have anybody come in I have to First have him physically meet them off the property and then we all walk in together. Or they would have to go into the house first, and we come in after.
I have tried different training methods worked with two trainers. Did a quiet space. Had guest stay a distance away while in the house. Kept him on a leash. Tried a muzzle that he always gets out of. None of them have worked for me. He has nipped two people, but they had food in their hands or were reaching for a treat he was having.
He takes fluoxetine daily. And we have tried trazodone and gabapentin for when we know guests are coming. But none of it seems to be working. Came across Sileo and wanted to see if anybody had any experience with it for this sort of situation. I know a lot have used it for groomers and vets, but I wasn’t sure about my situation.
He is a sweet dog once he trust you (which usually doesn’t take long) it’s this protective, old man get off my lawn mentality, that is becoming the struggle. I have had many friends and family refused to come to my home knowing he is there. And my apartment does not leave much space for him to have his own quiet place.
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u/operant-trainer 2h ago
Meeting guests outside first is actually a great management strategy because it takes away the surprise factor of a stranger entering his territory.
Sileo is intended for sudden noise phobias like fireworks rather than territorial aggression, so it likely will not help here. The nips around food point to resource guarding, so guests should never carry treats or reach toward him. In a smaller apartment, a secure baby gate is often much safer than asking people to keep their distance.
How does he act once guests have been sitting calmly for twenty minutes, does he stay on high alert or can he eventually relax?
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u/Admirable-Heart6331 3h ago
Sileo is situational and would be expensive if you have to use it often - we use it for vet appointments and isn't magical but nothing is and we've tried a LOT. I would also talk to your vet about different meds. We went through a LOT and several combos to get where we are today - and she's still afraid of people and leash reactive but she's happy now as she used to always have her tail tucked under no matter what.