Help with a dog

mullert · 05-03-2008, 06:38 AM

I'm thinking if anyone is going to have some ideas it's going to be someone here....

I have a 9 year old yellow lab that has serious anxiety problems. He was abused as a pup before we rescued him and has been a little high strung all his life. Since January he has been going "on point" an hour or so after the house goes to bed.

We've been medicating him, but it only works for a couple nights. At this point he gets to start his prozac (no lie) tonight. That is in conjunction with the sedative.

So here's the question, have any of you had to deal with this? How did you get over it? I'm starting to have the "quality of life" thoughts. My wife and I haven't had a stretch of decent sleep since the beginning of the year.

Any ideas?

Tom

STGRule · 05-03-2008, 07:30 AM

Maybe a kennel. Don't lock him in it, just have it be the place he goes to to lay down and to get treats. After he has gotten used to it then lock him in at night.

We have a roamer too and the kennel helps immensely. There will be some whining at first, but it can't be any worse than it is now.

Good luck.

Silver Hilton · 05-03-2008, 07:26 PM

That sounds tough. A 9 yr old dog is getting long in the tooth, and the old saying that it's hard to train an old dog has some basis in fact.

We had a chesapeake that had serious issues with loud noises as she got old, and we dealt with it through valium, from the vet. It's a common problem.

It may be the case that you are somehow rewarding the behavior by paying more attention to the dog when he gets anxious. This can be a tough cycle, because how do you not pay attention to a dog when he's freaking out? I think kenneling him might not be a bad idea. Putting him in the kennel before he starts freaking, and just leaving there for the night won't hurt. I wouldn't kennel him after he starts doing his thing, because you're not trying to punish him, you're just trying to change his habit.

On the 'quality of life thoughts', don't feel bad about that. I think you're correct to be having them. 9 yrs isn't a short life for a lab, you've done your job, and if the dog can't be happy, it may be time for that last trip.

duckboy · 05-03-2008, 07:49 PM

Perhaps Hydroxyzine.
A lab could take 20- 30 mg in rough spots, and it would tone it down.

It is an older antihistamine, and also has potent anti anxiety properties too and is not habit forming.

I think prozac would be a last resort, because of the other effects it has to the personality of whomever takes it.

A guy I know was able to get his md to write a script for it for him (a man) but he gives it to his dog, so it is covered on his insurance!

Makes em sleepy too, but very much helps with anxiousness (moreso than benadryl) more like meprobamate but without the addiction potential

A dog can take a whopping dose of sedative in comparison to a man,
What did they give you to make him sleepy ? phenobarbitol?

Bag that stuff and try the hydroxyzine (Atarax) you can get your md to write it for 50 mg and then split em in half ... make sure they wash it down with food, because if it gets caught in their throat or sublingually, it will burn a hole... I reckon it is highly alkaline..

Check it out on wikipedia...

jnicholson · 05-03-2008, 08:26 PM

The dog needs a safe place. Start kennel "crate" training him now. Forget the old dogs can't learn adage because it's not tru. Line
the bottom of the crate with lots of fleece and some clothes or something with the person he likes the most scent on it.
Crate training works the same for older dogs. It's a little tough at first but it will be worth it. Good luck.

mullert · 05-04-2008, 04:14 AM

Thanks for the comments. We started day one with the prozac. He did pretty good. It's 5am and he just woke up and started to pace. I like these ideas, and want to try some of them. We are also thinking that he is going deaf, and that is adding to the mix. Not sure what to do about that one.....

Here's another thought we had yesterday after I did some online research. We had to put our golden down a few years ago. Do any of you think it's possible part of his anxiety could also be because he is lonely? My wife and I were thinking that if we got this behavior under control we would get him a companion. If George (our lab) is coming to the end of it, it might make him happier. It would also make the transition if we have to eventually have him put down easier for our 5 year old.

Thanks again to all of you. This is why I come to this sight for answers!

Go_Getter · 05-04-2008, 05:28 AM

We have an Australian shepherd that had almost the same issues. We were thinking she was getting close. we bought 2 little blue heelers 2 years ago and she is a new dog now that they are around. She is doing great key off them and sticks close to them. I think she too is loosing her hearing but as long as she has her buddies she is fne...safety in numbers? A friend is a good idea I think. Sound like she get nervous because you all are sleeping and she is all alone. good luck!

mullert · 05-04-2008, 05:54 AM

That is exactly what we were thinking! Thanks for the reinforcement!

jnicholson · 05-04-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go_Getter

We have an Australian shepherd that had almost the same issues. We were thinking she was getting close. we bought 2 little blue heelers 2 years ago and she is a new dog now that they are around. She is doing great key off them and sticks close to them. I think she too is loosing her hearing but as long as she has her buddies she is fne...safety in numbers? A friend is a good idea I think. Sound like she get nervous because you all are sleeping and she is all alone. good luck!

I absolutely agree! Good suggestion!!!!!!

mullert · 05-04-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go_Getter

We have an Australian shepherd that had almost the same issues. We were thinking she was getting close. we bought 2 little blue heelers 2 years ago and she is a new dog now that they are around. She is doing great key off them and sticks close to them. I think she too is loosing her hearing but as long as she has her buddies she is fne...safety in numbers? A friend is a good idea I think. Sound like she get nervous because you all are sleeping and she is all alone. good luck!

Well it looks like old George is going to get a lady friend. My wife and I are both teachers and don't want to move on this until the summer. We've been looking at the Oregon Humane Society's website and are excited about the dogs listed. That gives us time to use some meds to get this under control and a new batch of blood work to make sure there's nothing else causing this.

A big thanks to all of you.

Tom

7pointbull · 05-05-2008, 07:25 AM

Have the dogs eyes checked. My chocolate lab did something similar a that age, turns out he was going blind.

mullert · 05-05-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7pointbull

Have the dogs eyes checked. My chocolate lab did something similar a that age, turns out he was going blind.

He has to go in for a recheck of his meds next week. I think they are ok, the vet looked at them last Wednesday, but I'll have him look at them again.

Thanks!

Angler of Repose · 05-05-2008, 09:08 AM

What's "on point"?

jnicholson · 05-05-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angler of Repose

What's "on point"?

I think he means protecting the house, pacing, listening, barking at noises ...

correct me if I'm wrong

mullert · 05-05-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnicholson

I think he means protecting the house, pacing, listening, barking at noises ...

correct me if I'm wrong

Nope, you are right on the money.