04/07/2025
I went to see a Border Collie today, owner reporting reactivity towards other dogs. This has been the case for four years.
No problem, fairly standard thing that we all deal with........
From the get go, the causation was clear, huge over stimulation. Wired. Everything at 100 mph along with a lack of rules, structure, and leadership in the home. As soon as they leave the house the dog pings the end of the lead , can't loose lead walk, loses his mind with triggers they encounter.
If you are working with behavioural issues in dogs, this is business as usual, standard, nothing out of the ordinary.
Now let's talk about the previous advice from a "veterinary behavioural expert".
A single phone call.........
No visit, no assessment of the dog in person or at least requesting videos.
The conclusion "He's clearly in pain, that's why he's reactive".
The owner puts his point across, rebuking this.....the next suggestion...........Prozac.
Yep. PROZAC.
Let's drug a dog that has fairly straightforward behavioural issues because if its not "pain" causing it, then it must just be wired wrong.
WITHOUT EVER SEEING THIS POOR DOG.
Two hours of putting different boundarys in place, working on lead skills, putting some calm walking in place, talking about how we are going to leave the house calmly. Playing with him appropriately, discussing outlets, this boy is actually a GREAT dog, he needs to do more in the way of breed fulfillment and Training related work, and learn to develop an off switch. That's all for starters, the work is far from over, this is the beginning.
What on earth is going on in this industry? These people are supposed to be the "smart" ones with their degrees and "higher knowledge".
A lot of them are not good handlers of dogs, they diagnose your dog based on an ideologically based matrix that is the holy grail when giving advice on a dogs behavioural issues.
Can , in a few cases, medication be a viable temporary option in severe cases?
YES of course.
But they are not a replacement for hands on, old fashioned practical steps and work.
Im appalled by what I was told today, and so should anybody with an ounce of decency.
