Behaviourial Medication- Clomipramine

[Seamus & Haidee]

After a visit to our dog trainer and animal behaviorist, he recommended that Seamus try anti anxiety medication.  he recently bit me on two occasions due to an event when he reacts towards skateboards and razor scooters.  I was just wondering if any one else has had their doodles on meds for this and if so what your thoughts were on the medication.  Our trainer also recommended more training with skateboards and scooters.  Thanks for your thoughts on this. xx

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, I had a wonderful dog who suffered so much and she was placed on Clomipramine.  Her final dosage was 100mg.  75mg in the morning and 25mg at night.  

This medication has been around since the 60s with a lot of documentation and you can search the web for more information on this medication.

Truth-it was a lifesaver for her.  I cant speak for all dogs, but we were so happy to see her play once again and love life.

No, it was not a cure all. She still had issues but she no longer stayed under a table for days without voiding or going outside. Really long story with a lot of heartache but in the long run we could feel her relief. We could see her actually enjoy some days.

I am so glad that you are both working with a trainer and a vet. It does take both

Give it a month

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thank you Joanne for your thoughts on Clomipramine.  at first i was saddened to hear about the drug suggestion, but I think it may help Seamus with his anxiety. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sure you are saddened. No one wants to see this happen.  But, if it were you--you did not enjoy your days, simple pleasures could not be felt, fears were overwhelming and you could not deal with them..... you would seek help. Or, if you knew someone like this, you would suggest it to a human.  With dogs, the same thing.  

I know you understand this.

My husband was really against any medication. A  month later, he took on the task of making sure she got her meds, a hug, and a cookie to wash it all down with.  I was so surprised at his complete turn around of opinion. He certainly was convinced.    He too was so concerned at her continued diminished outlook on life. If you would ask him today, he says he would do it again in a heartbeat.  

You will get some nasty feed back on this, but you know  what is good for your dog.   You will also get a lot who applaud you for helping your dog.  You will also be a good example and a voice for other dogs who have no voice. No peace.

Once we started the meds, training flourished. I have never been able to train a dog to this level.  What a success story.

Good luck and please update this discussion in a month 

[Seamus & Haidee]

thank you Joanne. Im having a chat with my vet this week. like you husband, Rob is also against medication and feels we should work more with the trainer before meds.  I just want to avoid being bitten again and it happening to an innocent child.  this is my worst nightmare.

[Stella]

If the medications help, you will find the training more effective. I found that Chase just wasn't able to focus well enough, he was just too overstimulated, before the medication. Once it began working he was able to concentrate and all his old obedience skills returned. We were then able to begin working with his reactivity, and to see results.

[Charlotte and Bo]

Clomipramine has helped Bo considerably with his separation anxiety.  There is nothing wrong with helping a dog or a human for that matter to cope with fear and anxiety.

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thank you Charlotte!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

For the skateboard, scooter and bicycle exposure, we took our dogs to our local park where kids are flying by all the time. Our dogs were not particularly worried by these things but there was still a bit of anxiety.  We sat on a bench far away from the 'action'  and gradually moving closer until we did our practice training where the kids rode up and down the stairs. The kids were great if we asked them to help us by stopping near or riding by the dogs.

[Seamus & Haidee]

That is a great idea Nancy!  We have a skate park not far from us but i always avoided it because it was filled with so many children and teenagers.  I so was overwhelmed at our last visit.  Maybe as the weather gets colder, it may not be as busy. Thanks for your tips!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is another member's journey with  updates along the way.

You might be interested in reading

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

[Stella]

The link above is to the story of my Chase. I, like you, was upset about starting the medication. I felt I had failed Chase in some way, and I had tried everything else. It is only now that he is better that I can see how bad things had got with him. I had begun muzzle training him because he was so reactive towards other dogs when we tried to go anywhere, he was a nightmare to walk in public because he was so anxious and stressed - he would spin and whirl and twist his leash around me and my other dog, he had horrible separation anxiety even when home with my other dog, and he was in such a high state of arousal all the time at the slightest thing tipped him over the edge which led to him and my other dog having a few serious fights - leading vet visits and $$$$ for stitches to my other dog. I was worried what Chases future would be - pretty hard to rehome a dog with those issues and I was worried for my other dogs safety, in the back of my mind I was beginning to consider I might have to euthanize him. It isn't an easy road, but for us the medication has definitely helped. He was worse to begin with and we had to play around with his dose. But now that he is more stable, training is much more effective because now he is able to focus better, all his obedience skills are back, we go to agility lessons and trials without him reacting to the other dogs. He still gets worried and unhappy in certain situations, but I know his triggers and try to avoid putting him in situations where he would feel the need to react. I always have to be alert to what is going on around us and there are some things we just can't do, but he is so much happier, and as a result so am I and my other dog!! Hopefully the medication helps your boy, once it kicks in (I would give it at least a couple of months) you should find that working with the trainer is more successful. I took Chase to classes that were based on Control Unleashed, which helped us to work on his impulse control, and helped me to tighten up my timing with acknowledging and rewarding correct behaviours.

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thank you Stella for sharing your Chase' story with us.  It gives me hope for Seamus.