@chuckc249 Yeah, VBs are not cheap, and while there are several advantages in seeing a VB, Prozac is usually the first med to be tested either way, so hopefully it is going to be a good fit for your dog and you will get the results you are looking for.
If it doesn’t work, then you might run out of options with a regular vet, as they typically are not as comfortable with the less common behavior meds. But hopefully you won’t run into that issue!
My dog’s issue is also noise anxiety.
Here are a few other things I learned from our VB:
- during vet visits, have them check for any potential pain sources, as pain can increase anxiety. This applies even more to older dogs that have more sources of chronic pain, like dental, joints, etc.
-work on calming protocol (advanced mat work) to teach relaxation on command
-feed all meals in enrichment form for confidence building (this has been my absolute favorite thing we picked up)
-while waiting for the medication and behavior modification to kick in, try to manage stress, for example providing a quiet, cozy closet, white noise, pheromones, avoiding unnecessary exposure, etc.
The more you allow stress to build up, the worse the reaction.
-teaching hand targeting (we also use high five) with lots of treats, so that if your dog hears a concerning noise, you can engage your dog and they can find comfort in the familiar task and reward. So, every time I go outside, I carry a cup of boiled meat bits, and when she hears something scary, she now looks to me, and I start stuffing her with meat, excitedly asking her for hand touches and high fives. This has helped her so much with recovery. She used to completely shut down or even throw herself on the ground, oftentimes I had to carry her home and she is really too heavy for me for that. With the meat and simple tasks, she now often recovers enough to continue and enjoy her walk, or at the very least walk back home (My back is very thankful for that!)
