tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post7101200469455254706..comments2024-03-04T06:54:50.622-06:00Comments on Reactive Champion: Meds and Your Dog, Part I: Should You Consider Meds?Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-14512504211024908622011-08-08T11:45:09.579-05:002011-08-08T11:45:09.579-05:00Yep. We decided to try meds because, though we had...Yep. We decided to try meds because, though we had made progress with b-mod, it stalled out, and then she got worse again.Ninsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11926615638315977082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-14601704974641224032011-08-08T11:16:44.737-05:002011-08-08T11:16:44.737-05:00That's a great post because people often ask t...That's a great post because people often ask that question. I agree with what you've said. I have a dog who recently started medication because she seemed to be getting worse with training. She also had trouble sleeping and would freeze when walking outside. It came to the point that we couldn't take 2 steps outside without her freezing. It's a journey now trying to find the medicine that may help, but it's a step I'm happy I took.Jessiehttp://apprehensiveoreo.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-78891468764900948262011-08-08T09:53:12.670-05:002011-08-08T09:53:12.670-05:00Crystal, I agree the meds didn't make it easie...Crystal, I agree the meds didn't make it easier, exactly. For us, it really allowed us to continue our progress. I think we'd hit the point where behavioral modification alone just wasn't enough. I really feel like Shanoa's "real" self is now evident, where before it was masked by the anxiety. She, too, was the dog that didn't sleep well and paced all the time. Even her favorite activities seemed colored by the anxiousness. Now, she is filled with joy and enjoys things without the fear. It's still a lot of work and training, but the meds really helped us "break through."<br /><br />I'm excited to read the rest of this series. I'm constantly pointing people to your blog as a resource when they have a reactive dog. <br /><br />NickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-45697992377968775252011-08-08T07:21:42.732-05:002011-08-08T07:21:42.732-05:00And I hope you're happy with that decision, La...And I hope you're happy with that decision, Laura!Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-70233148611644426632011-08-07T21:44:51.051-05:002011-08-07T21:44:51.051-05:00You're the reason I ventured into the world of...You're the reason I ventured into the world of drugs to try and help Vito.Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06437492165453445126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-56174654698368508232011-08-07T21:33:08.121-05:002011-08-07T21:33:08.121-05:00Excellent addition, Katherine. It seems like early...Excellent addition, Katherine. It seems like early onset of issues is likely genetic, and thus, would respond well to medication. <br /><br />Elizabeth, YES. It is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. <br /><br />Nicky- I felt the same way- that I had failed as a trainer. Even now, I sometimes feel like I took the easy way out, even though I know I've worked my butt off since putting Maisy on meds. I don't think it was easier, just that progress came quicker.Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-77259313172303856372011-08-07T20:28:29.308-05:002011-08-07T20:28:29.308-05:00Absolutely fantastic post, Crystal. It is a hard ...Absolutely fantastic post, Crystal. It is a hard decision to make. I know I personally felt like the decision to go on meds meant I had failed as a trainer. Thankfully, I have a wonderful vet who reassured me that it isn't a failure. Now, I wonder why I ever hesitated. Shanoa's made tremendous strides with the addition of Prozac to our toolbox.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-22887021345948398692011-08-07T19:09:53.711-05:002011-08-07T19:09:53.711-05:00Having watched you and Maisy and your amazing gro...Having watched you and Maisy and your amazing growth together, I would just want to emphasis that even though many may think that medication is a quick fix or easy way out, that wasn't what I saw. Instead (it seemed to me) instead of a fix the medication was a tool. A tool to help your training and behavioral conditioning work or work better. What a great post.Elizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14929570102892029752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-83851949232431746132011-08-07T18:20:30.815-05:002011-08-07T18:20:30.815-05:00Great post! I have one additional situation: early...Great post! I have one additional situation: early onset of reactive behavior. My youngest became reactive at 4 months. By 5 months, if he perceived a human who was not from our household, he would instantly react. At 6 months we put him on Clomicalm and by 7.5 months we could -finally- make progress with our behavior modification! <br /><br />I have read that dogs that begin to demonstrate aggressive behaviors as puppies are among the hardest to "fix", so I think all options need to be on the table from the start. My vet and I started with anti-anxiety supplements immediately, but when we saw no change after two months, we were ready to start the medication having discussed all of our options.Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTPhttp://www.springforthdog.com/dogblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-4373649568887512162011-08-07T17:42:02.756-05:002011-08-07T17:42:02.756-05:00Success is being able to put your dog's needs ...Success is being able to put your dog's needs first.Robin Salliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08683091556614710176noreply@blogger.com