Use of Mood Altering Meds

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murphy's dominance issues have escalated and now we aren't able to leave him alone in the house with our son.  Over the weekend our son, Tim, walked into the den where his dad and I were with both of the dogs.  Murphy jumped up and lunged after him barking and backing him out of the room.  I was right there so I was able to grab his collar and correct him, but our son (who has Down Syndrome and is pretty sensitive) was frightened.  For the rest of the weekend he didn't want to leave his bedroom.  So this is a new level and much more serious than Murphy's dog reactiveness.  I now have Tim doing all of Murph's feedings and whenever he walks into a room where Murph is he tells him to stay and gives the hand signal.  I think this is helping, but I do not trust Murph with Tim at all.  So we're onto Plan B.  We are going to start using an e collar for our training.  Murph is not consistently respecting my corrections when we meet other dogs and that needs to change.  I'm also thinking that he may not be getting enough full out running exercise.  We take him for an hour walk in lots of different places each day and then short potty trips, plus the treadmill if the weather isn't good.  His walks are mostly mental exercise because he is expected to walk right by my side.  So we're going to take him to state land a couple times a week and just let him run.  That may or may not help, but it's worth a try.  I haven't done it in the past because I was not 100% confident in his recall.  I have been keeping him within about a 12 ft radius on these off leash walks.  He will always come to me if he's fairly close.  The ecollar will give me more confidence in this situation.

So that brings me to the question of meds.  I am going to schedule an appointment for Murph with a Vet Behaviorist who practices out of the Specialty Hospital that we used when Guinness had Pancreatitis.  They do a full exam and blood work up before providing a diagnosis.  It will be good to rule out physical causes of Murphy's dominant behavior.  In a brochure that I got from the Behavior Clinic they talk about the use of psychotrophic meds.  They also talk about dietary changes and use of tryptophan for dogs who display dominance aggression.  I have been hoping to avoid this with Murphy, but perhaps it's time.  I think my biggest concern is potential side effects.  When people have side effects to these drugs they are able to talk about it but with a dog we would never know.  The meds could be making Murph feel anxious or uncomfortable and he wouldn't be able to let us know.  Anyway, I have lots of concerns but I'll never know for sure until I go and talk to this doctor.  I'm just wondering if anyone else is using these "mood changing" drugs with their Doodles.  I'd love to have some first hand feedback.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'm just going to say "ditto" to the messages below as I have nothing that I could add.  I'm looking forward to meeting you, dh and Tim in person in 27 days and getting a Murph update in person :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Jane.  I'm going to go on that cruise and leave my "Murphy worries" on the shore.  Can't wait to meet you too!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Great attitude!!!  We are going to relax, drink some wine or foo foo drinks, lots of laughing I'm sure and plenty of Doodle talk.  Excited!!!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Can't wait to meet THE JANES!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Jane, I don't have any advice but I want to say that I am thinking of you guys. I know you are a superb dog owner, and you would never make a choice that wasn't in Murphy's best interest. Whether it be medication, or E collar training, or anything else, you will make the choice that is best for Murphy, Tim, everyone involved. You are awesome. :-)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Camilla!  It's a good thing that Big Murph is so cute or he'd looking for a new home like Laurie.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ditto this.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I don't have advice either, but I know you will figure it out. You are so dedicated to the Irish bros, especially the big guy, and this is just a little bump in the road that you will overcome.  I know it!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you Allyson (awesome human Mama-to-be)!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh Jane, how scary for Tim. My DHs brother had Downs and was such a gentle soul and loved all animals. He would not have understood why one would be aggressive to him. You are doing a great job by having Tim feed him and give commands. Hurray for Tim and hurray to Murphy for behaving for him. It sounds like you are very much on the right track, and I for one would not hesitate to medicate my dog if I felt it would help, especially where my child was a concern. Yes, there maybe side effects, all medications have them, but it's a risk vs benefit type decision. I agree, these Medications are well researched and the Dr will be able to tell you what to look for should you notice any changes. But most changes should be for the better.
Sorry you are having to deal with this in your home now too. You deserve a Murphy break on the cruise for sure.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Sue!  Timmy is as much of a challenge now as Murph.  He doesn't like the idea of not showing any excitement....just calm, direct commands.  DH and I just spent an hour trying to explain to him why he can't come running downstairs saying "hey bro, how's it going tonight"in a loud and excited voice and expect Murph to remain calm.  LOL.  Oh I need a cruise.

[BG and Gavin]

I know that Murphy continues to push you out of the box in your thinking.  I am very sorry about his reactiveness with your son.  This is a whole new ball game and you gotta do what you gotta do.  I know you were hoping to avoid meds, but if that is what is required to live in your world, than that is what has to happen.  We all know that you have been persistent in training and have exhausted all other options.  So, as to off leash exercise, the very best thing for Gavin is to take him to a ball diamond (the ones that are fenced in all the way around) and I hit tennis balls as hard as I can in every direction and he runs and runs until he lies down.  Then I know he is done.  Good luck Jane.