Comments on: Behaviour: Some Thoughts and Tips

By: Aine Seavers

Sun, 26 May 2019 05:40:35 +0000

Tanya :Would you be able to share your time table for the wondrous Luna here so we can show others some of the things that are needed to keep these dogs in good emotional and mental health. You can’t name the drugs as they are S4s and there are funny rules about mentioning medications by name so maybe just cover over and say-Behaviour med, stomach meds etc. For anyone who would like to know more about Luna, we have some videos on our youtube channel where you can see Luna learn to experience life and love in the Lockharts rescue home.

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By: Aine Seavers

Sun, 26 May 2019 02:45:33 +0000

In reply to Aine Seavers.

Exactly and if we don’t spread the word then more dogs will die from behaviour issues and mental & emotional health woes than just about any other physical health problem they could suffer from. Often ‘aggressive’ dogs have other health and pain issues so a full medical investigation always needed. Proper socialisation can help but genetics play a huge part. Proper informed matings and proper breeding can prevent a lot of issues. Early recognition by owners and vets even at the first puppy visit is also vital.We have been trying to get owners to understand even at the first puppy visit that in about 1 in 5 pups, we see issues of mental and emotional health concerns already. ‘Training’ doesn’t fix those pups:they need correct behaviour intervention that sets the pup up to not fail but also set them up to succeed. Some pets need medication and often it takes a trial of a number of different medications before you find the one that settles the brain so the dog can learn. However, despite all of that, no matter how much an owner loves and cares and tries their best with a particular dog, some mental illness is so severe in a particular dog that it lives a life of global fear 24/7 and is in total misery, yet to all outsiders it looks perfectly normal. Their owners then feel ‘judged’ by wider society. I weep when I see dogs on their 9th year in a rescue society because it has failed 5 or 7 homes. At what point do we stop and say-for whom and for why do we continue to do this to this animal? We can help the vast majority of pets to lead a normal life but some will not be able to be helped. The Vet profession is trying to have mental health added to all Quality of Life Questionnaires we use to help clients make a decision about euthanasia.

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By: Aine Seavers

Sun, 26 May 2019 02:44:59 +0000

Carol Lewis:Thank you for this, this is easily read and understood.
May I offer a resource for those who have fought the battle for their pet’s mental health and lost it because of behavioural issues?
There is a FB Group named Losing Lulu, named in honour of a pup named Lulu who was eventually euthanised for her aggressive behaviour. Anyone who has had to do this is welcome to share their Lulu when and if they wish. It is a very supportive Group, and we have all been in that unenviable position.
Sadly, like human mental health issues, doggy mental health is still pretty much behind closed doors, but no less real.

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By: Aine Seavers

Sun, 26 May 2019 02:38:35 +0000

Tanya Lockhart: It’s amazing how after having a dog with a mental issue (anxiety) for a year, thinking we had it mostly controlled, we hit a bump by simply buying new furniture. To us it was just new furniture. To our girl, it was overwhelming new smells and a loss of familiarity and it took us a couple of weeks to work out what had upset her and a few more weeks of reassurance to get her to accept it. Remembering that a step back is not a failure can be difficult, but even if we go two steps forward and one back, we are still getting ahead. If your dog has a behavioural problem, listen to the specialists and give them a chance. Luna has never given up on us. We can’t give up on her.

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