Ryker (1.5 years old) is on prozac for severe SA. I'm totally fine with this and realize that he really does need it. Before we went to the veterinary behaviorist he was a mess (destroying the front door, pooping inside, barking, etc.). Since then his issues are almost 0, except when we go somewhere on the weekends because it's out of his normal routine he will usually poop inside. Okay this is fine, just something we need to work on.
NOW, we adopted Gypsy at approx 4 years old. No SA (thank god!) BUT she's VERY reactive towards the sight of other dogs and generally anxious (hard to settle or relax inside). Her reactivity consists of barking at other dogs no matter the distance and being very anxious after the incidents of seeing the other dog. No aggression towards other dogs. Here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBbXfJBtWY the other dog was measured to be 500ft away.
This creates an issues because it's difficult to exercise her. She is also reactive to the sight of people from a distance and we live in a suburban area so even night walking doesn't eliminate these triggers.
We have been working with a trainer and behaviorist for Gypsy. The trainer said that they do not think they can make any progress with her unless we get her on medication which lead me to contact the veterinary behaviorist that we used for Ryker.
This behaviorist who I hold to very high standards and respect her opinion completely recommends that we use Prozac on Gypsy as well because "we don't have any where to start" when it comes to working with her on her reactivity.
I get where she's coming from, but I feel completely ridiculous having TWO dogs on Prozac. Is there really not a better solution? I'm not against pharmaceuticals to help with dog behavior, but I have never met anyone with a dog on Prozac, never mind 2!
NOW, we adopted Gypsy at approx 4 years old. No SA (thank god!) BUT she's VERY reactive towards the sight of other dogs and generally anxious (hard to settle or relax inside). Her reactivity consists of barking at other dogs no matter the distance and being very anxious after the incidents of seeing the other dog. No aggression towards other dogs. Here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBbXfJBtWY the other dog was measured to be 500ft away.
This creates an issues because it's difficult to exercise her. She is also reactive to the sight of people from a distance and we live in a suburban area so even night walking doesn't eliminate these triggers.
We have been working with a trainer and behaviorist for Gypsy. The trainer said that they do not think they can make any progress with her unless we get her on medication which lead me to contact the veterinary behaviorist that we used for Ryker.
This behaviorist who I hold to very high standards and respect her opinion completely recommends that we use Prozac on Gypsy as well because "we don't have any where to start" when it comes to working with her on her reactivity.
I get where she's coming from, but I feel completely ridiculous having TWO dogs on Prozac. Is there really not a better solution? I'm not against pharmaceuticals to help with dog behavior, but I have never met anyone with a dog on Prozac, never mind 2!