Post traumatic stress disorder help for a friend's pup
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do with a dog that has PTSD? She would prefer not to use medications, but, she may need to go this route.... She lives in Mass. Thanks! |
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I would think there is some type of holistic vet or behavioralist that could help without drugs. Or pet counselors? Because there is so much specialization, is there a college or university of vet medicine near by that could refer? Just a suggestion.............  Poor Pup! I am very glad all got out ok and I hope all goes well |
| Probably best to consult with a behaviorist so she can get started on the right foot. Just what I would do... I would use medication early on... just until the dog can begin to be desensitized enough to trust the owner that it's ok... especially if the dog "convulses" (assuming this is out of control, out of his mind panic in an effort to escape). Take the edge off with meds and then start with a beeper that sounds similar or a combination of different sounds, that can be controlled by the owner. Maybe starting with the sound at a distance and bringing it closer as he starts to tolerate it. Don't coddle but work to instill confidence again. It will likely be a slow process... Now the emotional part... that's just so sad because we cannot reason with them. We know it' ok but we can't convey to the dog that it is. So we show him repeatedly that the sound is not the signal for his world to fall apart again... over and over until he finally understands and trusts that if we aren't reacting, he doesn't need to either. Wishing everyone success in getting past this. |
Jaci has great advice, as always.  I wholeheartedly agree that this situation sounds severe enough to warrant some meds in order to calm the dog enough to begin the desensitization process. Based upon the description of what is happening, it sounds like the dog would benefit greatly from a pharmaceutical "chilling out", in order to make him receptive to the sounds that have produced such anxiety. There are some situations where people jump quickly to a pharma solution, as they expect meds to be a quick fix to an issue while never addressing the underlying cause. In this case, I think meds will be a humane and necessary component of his rehab. Laurie and Oscar |
Forgot to say that I love those fireman!!!  Laurie and Oscar |
| I want to thank you all for contributing your help here. This is a very serious situation and I feel terrible for him. He is an older adult dog ---and so this is really been traumatic for him. I will pass along this advice. If anyone happens to know a behaviorist that they could recommend in Mass, that would be great! Otherwise, she will probably just ask her vet for suggestions etc. |
| oh shari, some links to help find behaviorist/trainer often trainers have the skill set necessary to fix problems, so please don't rule out a trainer. besides, some behaviorists are dreadful. if you get a behaviorist, make sure the person has a background/degree in behaviorial science. http://www.apdt.com http://www.ccpdt.org http://www.trulydogfriendly.com http://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org http://www.iaabc.org http://www.iiacab.com http://www.ipdta.org/ http://doggonesafe.shuttlepod.org/Defau ... eId=504000  |
| Just this week, there was an article on dogs having PTS after rturning from the war. Service dogs and rescue dogs, etc. It unfortunately is more common than we think. Did she consult her Vet? The article said dogs can even ahve flashbacks. If its an older dog, she may hae to give him some anxiety meds for a while and keep note of the volume of the TV, etc. Perhaps that thundershirt/anxiety dog shirt will help? My prayers go out to all of them. Having had a major fire myself this year, I can understand. Fortunately my dogs were already outside when the fire broke out and I quickly got them into the van and into their crates, away from the house. Thank God everyone was saved in your friend's fire - including the dog. |
| My friend had a trainer come in and evaluate the dog. She thinks he will be able to be helped. She did suggest the thunder-shirt, lots of mind-stimulus games, using a harness for him, and puzzles. She has them on a 6 lesson program to start. She is really focusing on self-confidence building and coping skills. She suggested waiting on the meds to see if they can make some environmental changes and training changes first. Since he hasn't had any formal training except for Basic Obed. when he was a puppy, she is incorporating some basic skills training as well since my friend is pregnant with her 1st child and that will obviously be another change in 2012. Poor pup gets so scared and shakes/panics that he will actually throw up. I hope they can help him soon! |
Oh, I hope they can help him soon too! Poor baby! I know the fear of a fire and can only imagine what a dog must think! Keep us posted....My prayers go out to them  |
| Sending good wishes for the poor baby! Sounds like they are at least on the right track. This is very interesting--learning some things here. |
| That is good news. I hope that time and hard work can turn this around. |
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