The verdict is in...

My dog is a nutbag Not that I didn't already know that!

The answer, for now, is daily Prozac and situational Clonidine (whenever we have to break routine and run the risk of a separation based reaction), yay drugs! She said that he is a perfect candidate for behavioral medication and that she thinks he will really respond well, which makes me happy.

The doctor was amazing, seriously amazing. I felt so comfortable and she was able to give me some great feedback. We are going to be doing A LOT of really boring relaxation work and screwing up things that he may be using as cues that we are leaving (like picking up the keys, and then sitting down on the couch with them instead of leaving. Putting shoes on, then taking them back off, or wearing them around the house, etc.).

We also have to start ignoring him before we leave and right after we come home. I know that I should have started this a long time ago, I tell customers all the time that it can help with dogs with mild SA, but gah! That's when he is cutest!! And most interactive, and adorable! This is by far going to be the most difficult part for both Ryan and I. :/

She pointed out a lot of things that I feel like I should have put together myself a long time ago, like that his issues in the car are SA based, even though I'm IN the car.

This post is probably pretty scattered, lol, but my brain hurts from braining so hard at the appointment and I need sleep

YAY for awesome educated people to help our crazy dogs.

I just want to point out to Chazhound that Frodo and Bailey are samesies in the medication department... that means they're really, really cool, right?

So glad you guys got the help you needed!! Hopefully the meds help Frodo and you start to see massive amounts of improvement!

Hopefully!! Maybe he could even, like, take a walk with Classic or something

Gambit would love to join the party, too! He has three of the four issues you mentioned (no thunder/rain fear), and nothings more fun then a pack of crazy dogs, right?

Frodo's storm/rain issue is by FAR the least of his issues. Most times he doesn't even care, occasionally he gets stressed when the rain hits the windows really hard. All I have to do though it stick him in his Thundershirt and he goes to sleep behind the couch. So, in comparison to his other crazies, it's definitely his most mild

What medication is Gambit taking?

Hahahahahah let's not push it.

I know, though I *am* hoping he can be comfortable just seeing ginormo dogs so that we can eventually compete!

Classic's more than willing to help him get past his issues! Luckily of all of Classic's problems, dog reactivity isn't one of them. (as long as they arn't behind a fence that is. LOL)

Enzo was on Prozac for like, 6 months I think? It helped a LOT with her SA at home, but it didn't do anything for her at work with me where she was the worst. It took the edge off a little bit, but being at daycare was too stressful for her. She was weaned off and is still a ton better at home, and I just don't bring her to work with me.

The difference it made for a friends dog though, was amazing. He went from agoraphobic pretty much to being able to handle moving across the city, being able to go on walks, settling down in the car better and being able to greet people. He was never dog reactive or aggressive, just scared witless of people and the change is just flooring. He was on Prozac for nine months and was weaned off and is still doing wonderfully.

Sounds like Chloe. LOL She just started on Prozac, too. I'm hoping it will help.

Glad you finally got to see the doc.

I wish you and Frodo the best of luck!

I'm so glad you found someone great to help you. I'm not familiar with Frodo's story much, but I know that you have been trying to help him.

It's cool though - Kimma has 3 out of 4, too (again, no rain/thunder issues), but I don't think she's quite as bad as Frodo seems to be. She was on meds (I honestly can't remember what, but it wasn't Prozac, though that was one we considered) but we were able to ween her off after I think like 4 months and just do lots of behavior mod.

Keep us updated on your journey

I know the plan isn't to wean Bailey off. It would concern me I'd be seeing what I wanted to see, rather than what's actually happening if I were to wean Bailey off.

Those of you who've done it, or plan to... do you think it really worked?

My Bailey's been on Prozac for a couple of months now. I haven't seen a positive improvement -- in fact, he's had some episodes that were even worse (eg he developed a fear of the back lawn) -- *but* he also had a couple of broken teeth I didn't know about (I am an awesome mom), so, hopefully, now that they're out he'll start to feel better and less anxious.

I understand that some people can use meds to take the edge off so behavior modification has a chance to work. I know my gen vet did this with an adopted dog.

We've been doing behavior modification for a long time. I really think that, with my Bailey, it's a case of an anxiety disorder (like with people), and I don't necessarily have the long term goal of taking him off medication.

But first we need to find meds that work. Just submitted a veterinary consult request to Dr Dodman, so here's hoping that helps!

Coyboy takes Clomipramine, plus an L-Threonine (I think I just butchered taht) supplament.

All of the crazy dogs of Chaz can get together and have a pill party.

Update: heard back from Dr. Dodman (via the veterinary consult w/my vet), and now he and Frodo are (soon to be) officially medication twinsies! He recommended upping B's Prozac dose and adding in Clonidine for situational anxiety for the next few months.

He also said that there is a connection between low and borderline low T4 levels and anxiety, and suggested that test B's thyroid function via Dr. Dodds and possibly get his thyroid levels boosted. Thought that was interesting. We'll do it, of course, and hopefully that helps, too.

He also reiterated that I have to do all of the "hard" behavioral training that I really don't like because it makes me sad (bc it makes B anxious).

Yay for new meds for B!

What behavioral work do you guys do? We are working towards tier 2 of protocol for relaxation, which is geared for SA dogs.