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Behavior Medication

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The purpose of medication is to improve your dog's quality of life, which includes their physical and mental health. Your dog deserves to experience life without freaking out or becoming frozen from fear. Dogs need to be emotionally stable, healthy, and free of pain to learn new behavior(s) and create healthy habits. Consult with a veterinarian behaviorist or your veterinarian and get help for your furry companion and family member.

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Find a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB)

DACVB can assess and treat your dog for behavioral issues, diagnose medical conditions, provide behavior modification plans, and prescribe pharmaceutical treatments.

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Consult with your veterinarian about supplements like L-theanine:

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Bucky's Story​

Bucky (pictured below) was easily aroused, frustrated, and passionate about getting his way. He expressed his feelings by bucking at the end of the leash or jumping, humping, biting and digging his paws into the handler's back. Ouch! Bucky was fortunate to train with Stephanie Peebles, CHAAMP's professional trainer at the time, and he really enjoyed training! Unfortunately, when placed in a new environment he could not adapt, and we worried he might hurt himself.  

 

We placed him a foster home with his volunteer of over a year who adopted him. He was over stimulated and suffering so much that he lost control of bladder. CHAAMP consulted with a vet behaviorist and Bucky was diagnosed with generalized anxiety. We did not want to medicate him (who wants a zombie?), but Dr. Sinn explained that Bucky's quality of life was poor. Imagine becoming so anxious at the slightest movement, noise, and smell that you freak out and defecate. Bucky was prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). The purpose of medication is to help a dog's mental state so that he/she can learn new behavior. 

 

Kelly Citrin, Trainer & Owner, 4 On The Floor Dog Training had Suzanne Clothier present, and our minds were blown! Bucky had a private consult with Suzanne who advised Bucky's mom to work on fading the treat lure and to monitor his right hip. Bucky & his family improved their communication skills and life was good!

 

When Bucky became a senior dog, he started to regress. Kelly Citrin hosted another presentation on behavior and Dr. Katie Malehorn, Veterinary Park Potomac who offer behavior consultation discussed the importance of a dog's mental health and the importance of ruling out physical issues. She presented on how behavior medication can improve a dog's quality of life. She became Bucky's family's new vet! When got his teeth cleaned, he had a hip x-ray too. Suzanne Clothier was right! Bucky had arthritis and was experiencing pain and frustration. Dr. Katie changed his behavior medication and added pain meds. Bucky was back to being the best boy in the neighborhood.

 

Today, instead of humping, Bucky sits on his favorite rug and looks at his mom to let her know that he wants to be enriched! Their relationship and two-way communication improved thanks to Suzanne Clothier, and his mental/physical health is closely monitored by Dr. Katie to keep him happy. We are grateful to Kelly Citrin who improved Bucky's life by way of 4 On The Floor Dog Training presentations.

 

If your dog is struggling, please get help.   

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