theway2631
New member
I just realised that this is quite long and I hope it makes sense.
Sirius is my 6 month old Border Collie x 1/4 Cattle Dog. Named after Sirius Black from Harry Potter and also the constellation.
We lost our 12 year old Cattle Dog X Luna in May.
Luna was abandoned underneath my SIL car in 2011 after someone did a puppy drop in the neighbourhood. I claimed her and she was extremely anxious, reactive and scared of unknown males, especially those wearing hats.
I trained Luna with every single thing she knew. Spent hours underneath my bed with her because she was scared to come out from underneath there. With a tonne of love, time, dedication and more, Luna became a one of a kind dog.
So, when I chose Sirius, I had a really decent understanding about his breed and I've wanted a Border Collie since I was little. Endless research as well. I had a training plan. Carefully selected toys to encourage his scenes and abilities.
The day we got Sirius, he was petrified of everything. Cars especially. He would change his mind on a dime. Going from loving and caring to biting, attacking, losing his mind. Mouthing and chewing everything. From my bed to chairs to ceramic pots, fibro walls and even the metal table at the vets.
He'd love the water but then would start biting suddenly.
We did a behavioural plan with a behavioural specialist and she was shocked that he wasn't able to settle down the entire time we were in the room. Then started chewing on the metal table. Things that she'd never seen.
Behavioral plan was going ok. Then it wasn't.
He became obsessed with fetch. I'm talking about him not wanting to stop despite being exhausted and vomiting water he'd drunk. Even after hours of playing games, training and going for a walk and socialising with other dogs, it's still not enough for him.
Barking at everything. Even people who are close to me and my family.
Myself or my mum can't go anywhere without him losing his mind. Even if we're in our bedrooms or if I've gone into an appointment and Mum takes him for a walk. He'll lose his mind.
He loves my mum. He prefers to play fetch with her as well. But.
He's started to get in between myself and my mum and goes at her. Or he pulls and bites my hands to get me away from her. Loses his mind once we go out the gate for our walk twisting and jumping and barking.
He was desexed a fortnight ago and our vets were very shocked when he woke up from the anaesthesia, and instead of being droopy, he was barking straight away.
Post desexing there's been a bit of change. But not much. My hands are very, very sore. My favourite dress has been ripped.
Yesterday, he got his stitches out, and I brought up the need for medication. Thankfully, our vet agreed that he needs it.
Fluoxetine 30mg. Once a day.
How long does it typically take for it to start working or to start to see a difference? What signs should we look for? Should we change routines while he's adjusting to it?
We have a professional trainer booked for the end of the week, should we keep this appointment? Or would it be too much while he adjusts to the medication?
I know how long it takes to work on humans but not dogs.
Also, to anyone who is thinking of getting a Border Collie, Cattle Dog, or any working dog,
Not all working dogs or breeds have the same temperament or behaviours. Even if you've had the same breed before.
Sirius is the perfect example. I absolutely love him and he can be the sweetest, kindest, loving, affectionate dog. He's automatically altered to when I've been ill and faint or when I've been crying.
You can also come across working dogs who are very casual and relaxed and don't like working. My brothers pure bred German Shepherd is like that. She only wants cuddles, pats and food. She hides from Sirius during play dates and goes to have a sleep when she's had enough.
Sirius is my 6 month old Border Collie x 1/4 Cattle Dog. Named after Sirius Black from Harry Potter and also the constellation.
We lost our 12 year old Cattle Dog X Luna in May.
Luna was abandoned underneath my SIL car in 2011 after someone did a puppy drop in the neighbourhood. I claimed her and she was extremely anxious, reactive and scared of unknown males, especially those wearing hats.
I trained Luna with every single thing she knew. Spent hours underneath my bed with her because she was scared to come out from underneath there. With a tonne of love, time, dedication and more, Luna became a one of a kind dog.
So, when I chose Sirius, I had a really decent understanding about his breed and I've wanted a Border Collie since I was little. Endless research as well. I had a training plan. Carefully selected toys to encourage his scenes and abilities.
The day we got Sirius, he was petrified of everything. Cars especially. He would change his mind on a dime. Going from loving and caring to biting, attacking, losing his mind. Mouthing and chewing everything. From my bed to chairs to ceramic pots, fibro walls and even the metal table at the vets.
He'd love the water but then would start biting suddenly.
We did a behavioural plan with a behavioural specialist and she was shocked that he wasn't able to settle down the entire time we were in the room. Then started chewing on the metal table. Things that she'd never seen.
Behavioral plan was going ok. Then it wasn't.
He became obsessed with fetch. I'm talking about him not wanting to stop despite being exhausted and vomiting water he'd drunk. Even after hours of playing games, training and going for a walk and socialising with other dogs, it's still not enough for him.
Barking at everything. Even people who are close to me and my family.
Myself or my mum can't go anywhere without him losing his mind. Even if we're in our bedrooms or if I've gone into an appointment and Mum takes him for a walk. He'll lose his mind.
He loves my mum. He prefers to play fetch with her as well. But.
He's started to get in between myself and my mum and goes at her. Or he pulls and bites my hands to get me away from her. Loses his mind once we go out the gate for our walk twisting and jumping and barking.
He was desexed a fortnight ago and our vets were very shocked when he woke up from the anaesthesia, and instead of being droopy, he was barking straight away.
Post desexing there's been a bit of change. But not much. My hands are very, very sore. My favourite dress has been ripped.
Yesterday, he got his stitches out, and I brought up the need for medication. Thankfully, our vet agreed that he needs it.
Fluoxetine 30mg. Once a day.
How long does it typically take for it to start working or to start to see a difference? What signs should we look for? Should we change routines while he's adjusting to it?
We have a professional trainer booked for the end of the week, should we keep this appointment? Or would it be too much while he adjusts to the medication?
I know how long it takes to work on humans but not dogs.
Also, to anyone who is thinking of getting a Border Collie, Cattle Dog, or any working dog,
Not all working dogs or breeds have the same temperament or behaviours. Even if you've had the same breed before.
Sirius is the perfect example. I absolutely love him and he can be the sweetest, kindest, loving, affectionate dog. He's automatically altered to when I've been ill and faint or when I've been crying.
You can also come across working dogs who are very casual and relaxed and don't like working. My brothers pure bred German Shepherd is like that. She only wants cuddles, pats and food. She hides from Sirius during play dates and goes to have a sleep when she's had enough.