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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Fear reactive - Zylkene

9 replies

PatterdalePatty · 20/03/2023 13:27

Just been to vet for physical examination ahead of looking for a behaviourist as my almost 3 year old has become (and getting worse ) fear reactive after a couple of attacks/ incidences
He's fine - vet was quite dismissive and said he's likely a typical "psychotic Patterdale " (nice) and prescribed Zylkene and said to order online if they work.

He rolled his eyes at his age as he knows that means he's a lockdown dog (albeit we have been at home with him the whole time - not that the vet knows that ) and thoroughly soul searched before getting him.
I don't know if he's always like that - seemed way friendlier when he was a pup but I felt really judged and dismissed as a bad owner. I'm a worried about what people think by nature so maybe that doesn't help - maybe he's always like that with patients - but I'm a bit hmmm.
I guess I'm asking if you e experience with these tablets or indeed switching vets if you don't feel happy. Thank you !

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PatterdalePatty · 20/03/2023 13:35

Zylkene!! Need to ask for title to be changed. Xylene is nasty !

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Newpeep · 20/03/2023 14:53

Zylkene worked for our cat who was attacked by a dog to stop her overgrooming but really there is lots you can do with a young dog to help them with reactivity. You need a modern, reward based behaviourist. An over the counter drug rarely is enough on its own.

Patterdales are very high arousal dogs as they are pure workers and do need extra help with self control and socialisation. But a good behaviourist would be able to give you a wholistic approach to helping him.

PatterdalePatty · 20/03/2023 15:13

He's cross border terrier too so not pure and indeed I'm looking for a behaviourist as I do prefer holistic approach

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AppleZinger · 20/03/2023 16:17

I have used Zylkene for a few different dogs. For my highly strung, very anxious rescue Lurcher it was useful for giving before anything that might worry him and did seem to help (eg kennels, long car journeys etc). We only used it alongside a carefully managed behavioural programme though.

Another rescue had it daily to take the edge of his generalised anxiety and it seemed to help, but we used it alongside Dorwest Scullcap and Valerian eventually and that was better. He was always a worried little thing, but just coped with life a little better with the help of the above.

For our genuinely fear aggressive rescue it didn’t even touch the sides. He was put on Prozac by the vet and we worked through an intensive behavioural programme with a veterinary behaviourist alongside that to reach a point where he could cope with life and ignore things he was worried about.

There’s no harm in trying it, but as others have said, these things don’t really help on their own, if they do - and it seems to be a very individual thing, they work by bringing down arousal levels to the point you can do the behavioural work needed for them to learn effectively.

As an aside, if my vet was rude and rolled his eyes at something I was saying I would be looking for another vet. You need to have confidence in your vet and not feel too worried you will be judged to be able to explain the problem and ask for help when you need it. I’ve only every had something similar with a vet once in 35 years and although we stayed at the practice, we have never booked another appointment with that particular vet. We did have a vet for years that was very direct and not at all touchy feely, but they were also extremely professional and would never have been deliberately rude or judgy. They were lovely with the animals they saw, they just kept things very formal and professional with the owners. Lots of other people refused to see them, but they were actually our favourite vet, because it meant consultations were always professional and effective.

PatterdalePatty · 20/03/2023 20:31

To Ann's @AppleZinger It's very frustrating to be eye rolled as yes he may be a lockdown dog time wise but a much loved member of our family whom we care about and want to feel better. I didn't get to tell him the extent of the fear or anything. I think he's purely a physical vet. I need to find a behaviourist now- was going to ask for a recommendation but was bustled off. Pic for how cute he actually is - deserted beach where he had a happy run around. On the flip side tonight I saw a lovely chap at the park whose bulldog came towards him - shouted how friendly he was but immediately put his on lead when I said mine might react. He then took time to speak to me and was really quiet and gentle with mine and kept his (very calm and quiet ) dog at his side at a distance. He was a bit of a dog whisperer I think - I was a bit nervous but my little chap didn't react once the guy got his dog on the lead. I'm digressing but for every person who looks at me in disgust when he barks, there's someone like dog whisperer man who makes me feel better. .

Fear reactive - Zylkene
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Leafytrees · 20/03/2023 20:40

You can train a dog out of being reactive. Atm your dog is scared and his response is to react. You need to give him another 'job' to do when he sees a dog and create positive associations. Try taking treats (really good ones) out with you and feeding them to your dog every time you pass another dog. He'll start to anticipate good things when he sees another dog, so will be less fearful. Eventually he'll forget to be afraid and will look to you when he sees another dog.

If you do look for a trainer, look for one who has their own, nicely socialised dogs to practice off lead interactions. Or think about whether you have any friends with nice dogs you could carefully introduce him to.

PatterdalePatty · 20/03/2023 21:50

Leafytrees · 20/03/2023 20:40

You can train a dog out of being reactive. Atm your dog is scared and his response is to react. You need to give him another 'job' to do when he sees a dog and create positive associations. Try taking treats (really good ones) out with you and feeding them to your dog every time you pass another dog. He'll start to anticipate good things when he sees another dog, so will be less fearful. Eventually he'll forget to be afraid and will look to you when he sees another dog.

If you do look for a trainer, look for one who has their own, nicely socialised dogs to practice off lead interactions. Or think about whether you have any friends with nice dogs you could carefully introduce him to.

We've been working on this and through restricting walks to quiet places and crossing the road, treats etc. it's a bit one step forward then one back then two forwards one back. Im
Hoping the tablets might take the edge off a bit. I thought hot dogs were the ultimate treat but tonight not even they could sway him away from barking at a black lab with their smoky smell.

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timeforchampagne · 20/03/2023 22:17

Where are you perhaps people can recommend a decent behaviourist

Absolute dogs have some good resources that are free I’m not sure I’d pay for a course unless on offer tho but might be something to look at

PatterdalePatty · 20/03/2023 22:34

North west.

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