Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
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.
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How dare anyone stand in judgement of you Joanne! Unreal! The same goes for you Jane - no one ever should dare judge you on any decision you make with this doodle! I am out raged at the thought.
Amen.
I agree!
I think many people feel this way. Anything from the neck down to help is okay. Actually, it is expected for anyone to seek treatment for the dog. How dare they not. And those that do, are praised for taking care of their dog. From the neck up~ forget about it. How dare they drug the dog.
They often think it will completely change what is core to the personality, but I found the opposite. I found it brought out the good that really was there all along :)
... oh and thank you BG, F, and Laurie for being supportive.
I know we can support Jane through this also.
Nasty emails? Shame on anyone who would send a nasty email! I realize there is a stigma regarding mental illness, but that is going way to far. I've learned from experience that dogs, like humans, can have problems that require medications. The brain is part of the body and if sick needs medicine. Poor Roxanne was a quivering mass of flesh curled in a ball on the floor - how could I say no to medicine that would help her? This makes me angry so I best not say anymore, other than we have many tools to help and medicine is one of them. On this subject I am not shy so Joanne, Jane, more power to you for being willing to use what modern medicine has made available to us!!
Amen!!
OMD, Joanne. I didn't see this last night. I am angry and heartsick to think that anyone would judge you negatively for this. I know everything that you did for Starlit. We want to help our dogs to be able to live healthy (physically and emotionally) lives and are willing to do what it takes to try and make that happen. I give you such credit for having the intelligence and courage to do what you had to do for Starlit.
Jane, I don't have any advice for you but I just want to tell you how much I respect you for sticking with Murph and doing everything you have done with and for him. So many people wouldn't have bothered and he's a lucky boy to have you. Just thinking about you tonight and sending hugs to you and your family, four-legged and otherwise.
Wow, thank you Jen.
Dear Jane,
I am praying for you, DH and Tim as you negotiate this difficult territory with your dear Murphy. I admire your strength, loving heart and wisdom as you have invested so heavily into the care and training of your beloved Murphy. May this new methodology be just what is needed to make Murphy's life and all of yours more manageable.
many blessings, hugs and doodlekisses, bonnie and Kona
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