When Behavior isn’t Just Behavior: Medicating the Anxious or Aggressive Dog
I once read that behavioral medication should not be a last resort for dogs. I couldn’t agree more.
The dogs whose behavior problems are reducing quality of life (for dog and humans!) should receive all the help they can get as soon as they can get it.
Families can be reluctant to pursue medication for their dog—they don’t want to take that step unless they’ve already worked as hard as they can on just the training.
Is that you? Has your dog trainer mentioned medication, but you’re hesitant and feeling guilty for not already practicing as much as you should?
I want you to know that changing your dog’s behavior shouldn’t be a part-time job. You shouldn’t have to devote three hours a day to training just to see progress. If it feels like you’re giving 150% to practice and the dog is only giving you 25% back, something is wrong.
Sometimes behavior isn’t just behavior. Sometimes it’s greatly influenced by a chemical or physical component, and all the training in the world cannot overcome a medical problem.
Is My Dog a Candidate for Behavior Medication?
The decision to utilize behavioral medication is ultimately up to you and your vet. Dog trainers cannot tell you to medicate or tell which kind of medication to use.* They can encourage you to initiate the conversation with your vet, though, based on their observations.
These are some of the factors that might lead your trainer to recommend you talk about medication with your vet:
Many things that trigger the problem behavior
A lifestyle or living situation in which the dog is frequently put over threshold because management is not feasible
Exceptional difficulty creating a successful training scenario due to the dog’s extremely low threshold
Dogs who take a long time to recover when they go over threshold
Dogs with one or more of these factors make slow progress with training and it can be frustrating and defeating to try and work with them. With the appropriate medication on board, these dogs can actually learn and make progress at a normal rate.
Just as you wouldn’t teach someone the intricacies of running track when their leg is broken, some dogs need their physical problems addressed for training to be effective. You could be the best instructor in the world and devote 8 hours a day to coaching your runner, but if the leg is broken, your skills and dedication mean nothing.
Medication Misconceptions
Medication is not a magic wand. Behavior doesn’t usually change just because the dog goes on medication. Change happens as a result of appropriate behavior medication + training.
The medications used to support training plans do not sedate your dog 24/7. Medication is meant to help your dog learn; sleeping dogs cannot participate in training sessions.
Medication doesn’t have to be forever. Some dogs are put on meds for a time and then weaned off at a later date. Always discuss with your vet before changing medications or dosing schedule
For more on this topic, check out this resource from Debbie Jacobs, author of “A Guide to Living with and Training a Fearful Dog.”
*Although dog trainers cannot tell owners which kind of medication to use for their dog, we can recommend against Acepromazine. This medication was frequently prescribed for behavior problems in the past, but it’s not a good choice at this point. It functions like a chemical straight-jacket; the dog may appear calm on the outside, but still experiences all the negative emotions on the inside.