Pogue’s Puppy Psychiatrist Appointment
Yesterday Pogue went to see the behaviorist. He does not have separation anxiety, she thinks he has something more akin to an attachment disorder. His anxiety is so severe that he’s on two psych meds to try to help him, but she views it as an emergency situation and said that if meds do not seem to help him the kindest thing may be to consider euthanasia. She thinks a board and train could be catastrophic for a dog like him. He took his meds last night, and we happened to have a big thunderstorm. He was clearly doped up, but didn’t react to the loud sounds so we will consider that a win for now. She said he was well ahead of most dogs that she sees as well as training and how well he listens, and he’s also EXCEPTIONALLY food motivated she he can be convinced to do things as long as his fear doesn’t overwhelm him. He has to learn to wear a basket muzzle most of the time in order to be around the cats, and we had already been working with him on that.
So cross your fingers for him I guess!