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Learn about best practices, get how-to’s and more for Social Media, Marketing and Web Design from Digital-Melissa. Plus an occasional article about pet care and training, and even some favorite recipes.

Prozac for Dogs: Try It

Emme on the Deck

Prozac for dogs is a miracle, and more people should consider it. Yes, MY dog is on Prozac (Fluoxetine). She has been on Prozac since she was just over two, and had I done it earlier, life would have been a lot easier and simpler.

I urge all pet owners who have extreme behavior problems (reactive, anxiety, etc., ruling out health issues first) to consider medication such as Prozac for dogs as early as possible. The thought of medicating my dog scared me at first – I mean, what sort of failure of a pet owner would I be to need Prozac for my dog? Sure, drug her up! Had I not had this stigma in my head about putting my dog on medication, we could have gotten on a path to happy lives a lot faster.

Our Prozac Story

Emme is as well bred as dogs get. She is from world-class lines who have health and behavior history for years and years. But she has a screw loose. Or maybe three or four screws loose!

Her reactive and guarding behaviors started as early as 16 weeks old. She bit me after I tried to take a chew away from her. At six months old she started viciously attacking my partner. We could not identify what was causing this behavior. Likely it was escalated resource guarding gone wrong. These traumatic months for us turned into years. I tried every “natural” remedy I could find. We tried training. Nothing worked.

Finally I caved, and started her on Prozac for dogs. And it changed our lives.

Were it not for the Prozac, she may have been euthanized. That’s right. Euthanized. Let that sink in. That is how dire our situation was.

And now – because of the Prozac, she’s an awesome dog. I often wonder how many other dogs could be saved if their owners knew the options open to them?

Close friends & family know my dog is on Prozac. But when I tell others not within our close circle, I usually get funny looks, or an eye roll. I’m told I should train my dog better instead. These people do not have our experiences. They do not know. All the training in the world won’t help. The medication helps Emme’s brain allow her to be receptive to the right behaviors. It helps “take the edge off” her anxiety and helps her be able to redirect to proper behaviors. It helps her learn. With the right dosage (and no ill effects), we are issue-free for years.

Prozac Saved Our Lives

Prozac for DogsWe still have our issues: dog reactivity, leash reactivity, general crazy sometimes. But I know how to work through them, and with the help of the Prozac, Emme is able to calm down quicker and redirect to me and yummy treats. If we see you on the street with your dog, don’t be offended when we spin around and go the other way without any word – I just can’t take my focus off her and redirecting her. We try to avoid situations where she may feel threatened or confused, we avoid putting her into a position to guard me (she loves me so much, lucky me). Without the Prozac I’m not sure any of this could have occurred.

Now we get to enjoy all the things we love:

  • Agility competitions
  • Dock diving
  • Barn hunt
  • Rally
  • Walks and visiting her favorite people!

She is a happy dog and lives life to the fullest!

Talk to Your Veterinarian

Putting your dog on medication is not something you should do without first ruling out any other medical issue. Take your dog to the veterinarian for a full physical exam. This should include: behavior history, thyroid panel, and any blood work your vet recommends. If possible, consult a Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. They are best equipped to help you with behavior modification exercises and the right type of medication. (Sometimes several different medications need to be tried to see what works best). We did all of this and MUCH, MUCH more before finally settling on this medication.

I hope this post helps out some other dogs and dog owners who may not know where to turn next.

Recommended Behavior Training Reading:

*This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Learning to Be at Home

The dog on the dock

I have officially been unemployed for six weeks! That seems like a long time now that I type it out, but it has not FELT like a long time.

The first two weeks I was home was like a mini-break from work. I did all kinds of things around the house, yard, garage. Spent lots of time with the dog, cats, visited my parents, had lunch and breakfast with friends. Then I had a quick getaway for a long weekend, and back to the grind of being home for a few days. Then I departed for an 11-day trip to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Denver, CO for my 3rd Denver Pop Culture Con, along with time spent working on my sister-in-law’s public art project, the Selfie Sofa. (Check it out!)

And now I am home again.

And starting to go a little crazy.

In fact, I just watched a video on YouTube of Pugs on video during the day while their owner was at work. And found the cat her own YouTube channel to watch. See what I mean? Crazy.

How to fight the crazy though?

Well, I need to find a job. That would solve so many things. But, my goal is a remote job, so what it won’t solve is the being alone all day factor. So I need to work on that. I also need to get in a better schedule.

I do currently get up between 6 and 6:30am, and take care of the pets as well as some cleanup in the kitchen and get some food ready for Kevin. But after that… I really need to lay down the law for myself. This week I have been taking the dog for a morning walk, which has been really great I am going to continue to do.

Then I think I need to schedule in more time for job hunting, and preparing for interviews. I am not as prepared there as I should be. I do a lot of job hunting, and usually all of it on Monday, but this week I have been plugging away all week long because, like I said, I am starting to go a little crazy.

And write more blog posts! Maybe more informative blog-posts which would inspire somebody to hire me. But for, we’ll just have fun.

Off to walk the dog!

Job Dreaming (Not So Serious)

Over the last couple weeks, I have been occasionally drifting off into a line of though about a “Dream Job”. And when I say “Dream”, I mean Dream!

First off, is a Fashion Designer. Because really, did you ever see what I did to my Barbie Dolls? (Have you watched this? Fascinating.) I have some skills! But plus it would be fun, and I could dress myself however I like and it would be OK. And then maybe I could be on Project Runway. I would be so good for that show. #goals

Next, is a Podcaster of some sort. I recently discovered I have an “Entertainment Weekly” channel on my Sirius Radio. There appears to be an hour or more dedicated to every show or movie known to man. Surely there is room for more, and it would give me a legitimate excuse to binge watch Working Moms and Dead to Me. #netflix

A little different now – what companies would just be plain COOL to work for? Surely they would hire remote, because they are COOL? Something like Space X, or NASA. NASA might even be a government job, so HOORAY for great benefits and half the year off. Or how about Formula One? I bet they need a UX expert for their website. And then maybe we can get free first-class tickets to Monaco. Or Sephora, for you know, free makeup!#bettergoals

Last, a Fiction Writer. Now, I don’t mean a little something here or there. A blog post or two. No, I mean a full on, hardcore LITERARY SAGA. MIND-BLOWING WORLD BUILDING! One that is 15 novels long perhaps? I’m thinking Tolkien, Jordan, Martin. Or even Robin Hobb level. But I’d like my SAGA to get made into movies, or a series on HBO of course, so I probably should get started on this #dreamjob soon.

For now though, I’ll keep dreaming while I head out west for Denver Pop Culture Con next week and some #art with my brother and sister-in-law. Maybe I will find some more cool Dream Jobs!