Do Behavior Medications Work for Fearful and Aggressive Dogs?

What if you could significantly reduce your dog's anxiety and aggression with just a little help from science? Find out how behavior medications, particularly anxiolytics, can be the game-changer you've been searching for.

In today's episode of the Grumpy Dogs podcast, I dive into the nuances of how these medications work, why they aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, and how they can play a crucial role in your dog's behavior modification journey.

You'll learn that these medications can provide about a 20% improvement, but the real magic happens with consistent behavior modification efforts. Tune in to discover how these tools can aid in desensitization and counter-conditioning exercises, helping your dog reveal its true personality by alleviating chronic anxiety.

As we wrap up the episode, don't forget to stay connected with the Grumpy Dogs community. Subscribe to keep yourself updated on future episodes and visit grumpydogspodcast.com for more information, to leave messages, and to follow us on social media.

View this Episode on YouTube:
Ep. 41 Do Behavior Medications Work for Fearful and Aggressive Dogs?

Episode Link(s):
Information about behavior medications:
1) American Kennel Club
2) PetMD

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Resources:
Scott Sheaffer's Free & Premium Training Videos
Scott Sheaffer's Dog Behavior Articles
Book an Online or In-Person Session with Scott

About Scott Sheaffer
Scott Sheaffer, CCBC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is a certified dog behavior consultant who has worked with thousands of dog owners and their aggressive dogs. Scott specializes in the assessment and treatment of fear, anxiety, aggression, and phobias in dogs six months and older. For more information about Scott, see USADogBehavior.com.

Disclaimer
If your dog is aggressive toward humans, consult an experienced, certified canine behavior consultant immediately and ensure your dog cannot harm anyone. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional guidance. Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not liable for outcomes resulting from the advice provided.

Episode Transcript

Scott Sheaffer (00:00):
Hi everyone and welcome back to the Grumpy Dogs
podcast.
I've titled today's episode.
Do Behavior Medications Workfor Fearful and Aggressive Dogs?
This is a question I get askedall the time and it's an
important one, so let's get intoit.
Are you struggling with a dogthat is anxious or aggressive?

(00:23):
You're at the right place,because in this podcast series,
we educate dog owners,veterinary practices and dog
trainers on how to overcome dogfear and aggression using humane
methods.
My name is Scott Sheaffer andit's my mission to help you
better understand your dog'sbehavior dog's behavior.

(00:51):
Before we get started, I justwant to mention that you can
watch the full video version ofthis episode on YouTube.
I provided a link in theepisode notes that takes you
directly to the video at theGrumpy Dog's channel.
You can also search for theGrumpy Dogs channel on YouTube.
All right, let's get back tothe topic.
Can behavior medications helpyour dog with their fear and

(01:11):
aggression?
Another question is can a dogowner use these medications in
place of behavior modificationexercises?
Before I go any further, it'simportant for me to know to you
that the vast majority of caninebehavior issues do not require
medication.
As some proof of that, mypractice is exclusively focused

(01:33):
on dogs with significant andserious behavior issues, and
only a small percentage of thesedogs are taking behavioral
medication.
The behavior medications thatare used for dogs when we use
them, normally fall into what'scalled the anxiolytic or
anti-anxiety category.

(01:54):
The goal of the medication isto reduce anxiety in the dog.
That's typically what we'regoing for.
There are a handful of thesemedications that are used for
this, and I find there are threethat are frequently prescribed
by vets for this purpose.
These medications are commonlyavailable and are known and

(02:15):
understood by veterinarians.
Interestingly, all of thesemedications were originally made
for humans and are now usedsuccessfully in dogs as well as
other animals.
There is a wealth ofinformation available online
about these medications andtheir use in dogs.
If you do your own research,make sure to consult, of course,

(02:38):
reputable sources.
It's always true on theInternet always true on the
internet.
I've included some links in thedescription below for this
episode that provide resourceswith information on these
medications if you want to dosome research on your own.
When dealing with dogs that havesignificant behavior issues
like fear and aggression,medications can often be a part

(03:00):
of the treatment plan.
However, it's important tounderstand that behavior
medications are not a cure-allCan't say that enough.
It would be great if they were.
But I found with my clientsthat these medications might
anecdotally provide about a 20%improvement with the dog's fear

(03:21):
and aggression issues, withbehavior modification providing
the balance, meaning about 80%,and everybody's mileage varies
on this, but if I were toaverage them out over thousands
of clients I would say thesewere pretty reliable numbers.
An important thing to keep inmind is that every dog responds
differently to these medications.

(03:42):
Some dogs respond fairly well,while others have no response
whatsoever.
Unfortunately, and in rarecases and this is pretty rare,
I've seen only a handful it canmake the dog's behavior issues
and anxiety worse, and this iscalled a paradoxical reaction.
So you always want to be awareof the side effects and be

(04:04):
looking for that check with yourvet on what they might be.
So how can these medicationsreally help?
Essentially, they help give usmore headspace to work with the
dog.
By that I mean the medicationscan help a dog tolerate more
stress during behaviormodification exercises, which

(04:25):
gives us more room to do thingswith the dog in the areas of
desensitization and counterconditioning.
As an example, it can also helpthe dog try new behaviors in
their normal environment theymay otherwise not try.
This is called habituation.
An example of this might bemoving a little closer to an

(04:47):
unfamiliar person in their home.
So where this dog hadpreviously in his home kept a
large distance from unfamiliarpeople coming into the home, the
dog is willing to maybe moveinto the living room with the
person, although still keeping a20-foot distance.

(05:08):
But that's better than goingand hiding back in the bedroom.
This is showing that themedication is probably having an
effect, especially if this isrepeated over and over in the
environment.
These medications rarely, veryrarely in my experience, remedy
a dog's fear and aggression ontheir own, just by themselves,
but they can make the dog morereceptive to training and other

(05:31):
behavior modification techniquesthat are being used.
A common concern I hear fromdog owners and I mean all the
time, just about every one ofthem, and it's legitimate is
they don't want to start theirdog on behavior medication
because it might change thedog's personality.
And, as I said, this is alegitimate worry.
But it's important for theowner to reframe how they see it

(05:55):
, the dog's owner.
Actually, what we're aiming foris to change the dog's
personality, but in a positiveway.
When prescribed and dosedproperly by a vet.
These medications primarilyaddress the dog's anxiety and
seem to have very minimal impacton the dog's personality.

(06:15):
Medications simply help reduceyour dog's anxiety, which is
frequently the root cause of theproblematic behaviors.
When these issues are mitigatedthrough behavior modification
and medication, both your dogcan become calmer and more
confident, allowing their truepersonality to shine through.

(06:36):
That's the irony.
As frequently as medications,let us see what the real
personality is versus actuallychanging it.
Think about that and remember.
Chronic anxiety takes its tollon human beings that are
chronically anxious, and yourdog.
We need to use all reasonableand appropriate tools to help in

(06:57):
that regard, including behaviormedication, if it's called for.
When prescribed and dosedproperly, medications don't
fundamentally change who yourdog is.
In fact, they can improve yourdog, of course.
That's the idea.
Rather, they can help alleviatethe anxiety that is masking
their true personality.

(07:18):
Think of it like a fog liftingto reveal the sunny day.
The sunny day was always there,just hidden by the fog.
Broader treatment plan thatincludes behavior modification,
because medications are a tool,not a crutch.
They are not meant to sedateyour dog into submission, but

(07:43):
make it easier for them to learnand cope with their environment
.
This is why collaboration withyour veterinarian is crucial.
Your vet can help determine theright medication and dosage for
your dog and adjust as isneeded.
If you do elect to start yourdog on behavioral medication,
it's important that you monitorthe dosage of these medications

(08:04):
and stop them when and if theyare no longer needed.
This is a real hot button forme, because I see a lot of
clients come in whose dog hasbeen on medication behavioral
medication for years and theowner exclaims to me that there
is no apparent benefit and thebehavior has not changed
whatsoever.
One has to ask why would you dothat?

(08:25):
We need to make a change.
This kind of medication has tobe managed carefully between you
and your vet.
If a medication does not appearto be working, ask your vet
about changing the dose,changing to a different
medication or even stopping it.
Each dog is unique and whatworks for one dog might not work

(08:46):
for another.
On these medications, as istrue with humans taking behavior
medication, your vet can helpmonitor your dog's progress and
make necessary adjustments tothese meds.
It's important for yourbehavior specialist that you're
working with to stay in touchwith your vet and vice versa,
regarding these meds Before anyof my clients this is just a

(09:08):
practice that I have always hadask their vet about behavior
medication for their dog, theirvet about behavior medication
for their dog.
I'm always careful to havealready sent to their vet
information about the behavioralissues that I'm seeing in the
dog, providing them moreinformation to make a medication
decision.
To wrap up, let's circle back tothe primary question Do

(09:31):
behavior medications work forfearful and aggressive dogs?
Yes, but not always.
They can work and can be partof a successful treatment plan.
Sometimes it doesn't hurt totry if you have a serious case.
However, they are not astandalone solution.
They are most effective this isshown with a lot of animal

(09:55):
behavioral science, by the waywhen used in conjunction with a
professional behaviormodification expert and training
.
If you're considering behaviormedications for your dog,
consult with your vet and aprofessional canine behavior
consultant to develop acomprehensive plan tailored to
your dog's needs.
Remember, the goal is toimprove your dog's quality of

(10:17):
life and help them become thebest version of themselves.
That's all for today's episodeof the Grumpy Dogs podcast.
If you have any questions orneed more information, feel free
to visit my website,grumpydogspodcastcom, where you
can also leave me a message andfind our social media links.
Don't forget to subscribe soyou won't miss any future

(10:40):
episodes that provide tips andinsights into dog behavior.
Thanks for listening.
Thank you for joining me today.
Don't forget to subscribe andshare this podcast with other
dog lovers.
Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll continue our dive

(11:01):
into the world of dog behavior.