This is a really great article written by a veterinarian who is also a dog trainer: Behavior Medication: First-Line Therapy Or Last Resort?
I have a lot of experience working with anxious dogs and medication can be absolutely essential for them to succeed. Each dog is different, of course. Here are some general things to keep in mind.
-Medication will not suddenly solve your problem. A dog that is fearful or anxious will ALWAYS be that way, to some degree, for the rest of their life. The goals with medication are to improve their quality of life to the greatest potential, and to reduce their anxiety to the point where behavior modification will be most effective.
-Medication is not a one size fits all thing. It is common to have to adjust dosage or even try different medication.
-Medication is safe. Yeah there are a list of potential side effects, as there are for every drug on the planet. But side effects are very rare. I have seen certain meds be ineffective for certain dogs at times (again, doesn't mean 'meds don't work'. That med, on that dose, for that dog, didn't work). But in 5+ years I have never seen a truly negative side effect. This is hundreds of dogs, and seeing multiple dogs (and cats!) daily that are on meds for fear or anxiety.
-Medication should go hand in hand with a behavior modification protocol. Meds alone are rarely ever the solution. However, for extremely anxious dogs it is useful to have some fast acting, short term anti-anxiety meds for situations that might be extra stressful.
I have a lot of experience working with anxious dogs and medication can be absolutely essential for them to succeed. Each dog is different, of course. Here are some general things to keep in mind.
-Medication will not suddenly solve your problem. A dog that is fearful or anxious will ALWAYS be that way, to some degree, for the rest of their life. The goals with medication are to improve their quality of life to the greatest potential, and to reduce their anxiety to the point where behavior modification will be most effective.
-Medication is not a one size fits all thing. It is common to have to adjust dosage or even try different medication.
-Medication is safe. Yeah there are a list of potential side effects, as there are for every drug on the planet. But side effects are very rare. I have seen certain meds be ineffective for certain dogs at times (again, doesn't mean 'meds don't work'. That med, on that dose, for that dog, didn't work). But in 5+ years I have never seen a truly negative side effect. This is hundreds of dogs, and seeing multiple dogs (and cats!) daily that are on meds for fear or anxiety.
-Medication should go hand in hand with a behavior modification protocol. Meds alone are rarely ever the solution. However, for extremely anxious dogs it is useful to have some fast acting, short term anti-anxiety meds for situations that might be extra stressful.
