I'm so tired of this. Zack is 4 years old. I've worked with private trainers, who employed everything from e-collars (not good) to cookies. We've done Control Unleashed- I even attended a workshop to learn more. We play the "look at that" game constantly & he is usually good if the situation is under control, i.e., he's on leash & I'm machine-gunning treats to him. BUT, if another dog stares at him and I'm not right there to handle the situation- he's lunging, growling, etc. He's from working lines - Czech border dogs - and some of his siblings are also constantly keyed up.
I take him out a lot (he's terrible in the car too - barking, whining, jumping - always has been. I have the "Through a Dog's Ear" cd's & they didn't help either.)
I cook for him. I've had his thyroid checked and he gets complete blood panels every year. I use the Click to Calm methods. We do NILIF. He's on a no-pull harness. He gets tons of exercise - both ball playing and long walks. In short, there is nothing I haven't done. Last night we went to a park where a club trains (for more socialization.) He got loose due to me fumbling with the leash, ran across the park & started sniffing a rottweiler. Within seconds it turned into a fight - no blood, just noise. The owner is in a wheelchair. I wanted to die right there. We left immediately.
He's a GREAT obedience dog, learns quickly, loves to work with me. But I cannot trust him off leash. This rott was just standing there - and Zack got into prey drive & took off. I called him & he hesitated but apparently my very high value cookies were not as enticing as this dog minding his own business.
At home, he can be a pain. If another dog barks in the neighborhood, he chimes in. The UPS man? Forget it - he's lunging & barking & cannot be stopped. In most cases, I can get him to "quiet" (except UPS) but that sharp-out-of-nowhere bark is rattling. Sometimes, I swear, he barks at leaves that are falling. He's always been keyed up.
He suffers from allergies & is on antihistamines. They don't calm him down. They don't key him up either - they have basically no effect on his mood & little on his allergies. We've done holistic vets, allopathic vets & everybody in between. I have an allopathic vet now who is great & we're controlling his allergies through shots, baths, etc. Do I need to tell you I've spent, literally, tens of thousands of dollars on this guy? I still love him dearly & would spend another kings ransom.
So, now I'm wondering if he has a chemical imbalance in his brain. Has anybody ever tried Prozac or other types of SSRI's? I absolutely HATE going this route - but we aren't happy around here. I got him to accompany my husband & myself on trips - but that doesn't happen. I can give him "ace" - but that seems extreme. I can't even take him to a farmer's market because I have to constantly watch him. It seems the minute I take my eye off of him - a blue eyed BC comes around the corner and he's nuts.
I guess I'm asking if anybody has ever used an SSRI or even an older fashioned tricyclic (they have sedating tendencies) to keep their dogs under threshold?
I take him out a lot (he's terrible in the car too - barking, whining, jumping - always has been. I have the "Through a Dog's Ear" cd's & they didn't help either.)
I cook for him. I've had his thyroid checked and he gets complete blood panels every year. I use the Click to Calm methods. We do NILIF. He's on a no-pull harness. He gets tons of exercise - both ball playing and long walks. In short, there is nothing I haven't done. Last night we went to a park where a club trains (for more socialization.) He got loose due to me fumbling with the leash, ran across the park & started sniffing a rottweiler. Within seconds it turned into a fight - no blood, just noise. The owner is in a wheelchair. I wanted to die right there. We left immediately.
He's a GREAT obedience dog, learns quickly, loves to work with me. But I cannot trust him off leash. This rott was just standing there - and Zack got into prey drive & took off. I called him & he hesitated but apparently my very high value cookies were not as enticing as this dog minding his own business.
At home, he can be a pain. If another dog barks in the neighborhood, he chimes in. The UPS man? Forget it - he's lunging & barking & cannot be stopped. In most cases, I can get him to "quiet" (except UPS) but that sharp-out-of-nowhere bark is rattling. Sometimes, I swear, he barks at leaves that are falling. He's always been keyed up.
He suffers from allergies & is on antihistamines. They don't calm him down. They don't key him up either - they have basically no effect on his mood & little on his allergies. We've done holistic vets, allopathic vets & everybody in between. I have an allopathic vet now who is great & we're controlling his allergies through shots, baths, etc. Do I need to tell you I've spent, literally, tens of thousands of dollars on this guy? I still love him dearly & would spend another kings ransom.
So, now I'm wondering if he has a chemical imbalance in his brain. Has anybody ever tried Prozac or other types of SSRI's? I absolutely HATE going this route - but we aren't happy around here. I got him to accompany my husband & myself on trips - but that doesn't happen. I can give him "ace" - but that seems extreme. I can't even take him to a farmer's market because I have to constantly watch him. It seems the minute I take my eye off of him - a blue eyed BC comes around the corner and he's nuts.
I guess I'm asking if anybody has ever used an SSRI or even an older fashioned tricyclic (they have sedating tendencies) to keep their dogs under threshold?