I've been an avid reader of the forum since collecting my pup, Killah, 20 months ago now (actually, since even before then!) and the advice and support I've taken from here have been invaluable! As a first time owner, I didn't feel I had much to contribute, but I've lately seen a few posts that resonated and I'm ready to start jumping in! Here's a bit about my life with Killah so far - a list of some of the things we’ve been through for which I’ve found excellent advice on the forum. He was an extreme crocopup (and even now can get a bit mouthy) but house-training and crate training were unexpectedly drama-free and he's never been a destructive chewer (or much of a chewer at all - maybe he's naturally generally soft-mouthed due to his good hunting dog lineage, or maybe it’s just luck!) We had a bad experience at puppy class, which we started just after I collected him at 8 weeks old. I don't know why I persisted through the whole six weeks. He contracted parvo aged 6 months, despite having had all his vaccinations on the recommended schedule. Thankfully, the vaccine manufacturer ended up paying for 90% of the cost of his treatment (a week on a drip in isolation at the vet hospital). He now has health insurance. From the day I brought him home, Killah has been intensely interested in the environment, easily distracted, always restless. After trying everything to help him generally chill and be able to focus on training and just be happier with life - more socialisation, less interaction with dogs and people, copious exercise, less-boisterous exercise, Thundershirt, Adaptil, Zylkene - with much trepidation (and guilt) I discussed medication with our vet. Killah’s been on Clomicalm (clomipramine) for three months now and I am so relieved and happy with the effects. We’re finally able to go out and about and calmly meet other people and dogs. For the first time this week he was able to do some agility training with two other dogs in the room! If all continues to go well we’ll wean him off the drug in another 3 months or so. So far it’s a virtuous cycle - the clomipramine means he can get out and have more and diverse positive experiences which will hopefully just reinforce his calm, content, behaviour. And I’m finally able to spend some time in the evenings doing things like posting to this forum while he just relaxes in the front room. I’m hoping to eventually be able to hunt over him (waterfowl) and maybe get him a Working Certificate or Junior Hunter - or more - title (we’re in Canada) and was on the verge of giving up those aspirations. He’s a cracking natural retriever in the backyard and it was so sad to think that he’d never put his inherited talents to good use just because he’d completely lose his head in the field or when other dogs were around. But on Clomicalm, I can finally see that he’ll be able to do it. He’s currently feeling sorry for himself with a case of limber tail - a bit too long of a hike and too much swimming for the first time this year over the weekend. He’s enriched my life in a way I never expected and made a huge difference for my elderly father who lives with us and has mobility issues. I love him to bits.
A really warm welcome to you both. It sounds like you have been through a heck of a lot together and your experience I am sure will enrich the forum. Good for you introducing yourself at long last. If you are a lurker.....you will know we need a photo....... Jac
Hello and a warm welcome to the forum from me and my tribe. It sounds like you've certainly been through a lot together. I understand the trepidation associated with medicating a dog for behavioural issues, as Willow is on anti-anxiety drugs at the moment, which felt like a real failure on my part. It's always good to know you're not alone. Actually, one of the other members (@Beanwood) sent me this video on Facebook the other day. It may be of some comfort or interest to you. https://www.ted.com/talks/laurel_br....com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedspread I look forward to hearing more about your journey with Killah - and, of course, seeing plenty of photos of him!
A warm welcome from me too.Killah sounds to have found himself a wonderful family with owners committed to helping him overcome some of his issues,I believe you are going to get that Working Certificate together for sure. Best Wishes Angela
Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie from Manchester UK Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's three years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab who is six months old. ,,,
My first Lab pup was the same, 6 months and everything, on drip at the Vet's for nearly a week. She matured to a small Lab, with big parents and I worried the Parvo had affected her growth but all the Vets thought she was just meant to be small. Otherwise she had a long and healthy life. WElcome to the board, work hard and get your WC, spring is nearly here, only a few feet of snow to melt and you can get out on that training. Oh, wait, officially spring is here. Did I forget because it was -12C and snowing?
Thank you for the warm welcome! I feel I know most of you already, having read so many of your posts . Here's a video apropos of nothing from about a year ago when I first tried to use cones to teach Killah directional casts. I think there was a pile of sausage pieces by one of them, which he completely ignored! No collar let alone a long line! What was I thinking? The Cones! The Cones!
Welcome from me and my two, Wispa (5) and Tuppence (3). It will be interesting to see if you can eventually wean Killah off the medication (and Willow too, Fiona). Wispa has anxiety/protective issues, but I've not discussed medication with the vet. She can be unpredictable, sometimes being spooked by anything unusual but at other times taking things in her stride, and is generally more relaxed on off-lead walks.
Willow will be on the clonazepam for a couple more weeks, being weaned off it slowly once the fluoxetine kicks in. She'll be on that then for at least six months, and we'll review after that whether we feel she can have her dose reduced. If she remains on it long term, we'll have to have regular checks of her liver and kidneys to ensure there's no damage.
Is the snow blasting still continuing? Is she improving and showing less anxiety outside? I hope she's feeling more settled and will be able to come off the medication, at least until next winter.
Hi and welcome from me and 3 year old girl, Harley. I love the video Sounds like you have all had a lot to ideal with but you sound really dedicated to him which is fantastic. I never realised how much love you can feel for a pet.
There has been no blasting recently, because there hasn't been any significant snowfall. However, it's snowing heavily now and we're expecting quite a lot overnight, so I fear we'll have blasting in the morning. The drugs are definitely having a positive effect, but she still has ups and downs. Yesterday, she refused to go out at all, but today she's been eager to. I'm logging daily: https://thelabradorforum.com/thread...a-medication-journal.18456/page-2#post-284652 The off season isn't without its hazards for her - spring means birds swooping at her, and when we're in Spain, there are the bird scarers and hunting to contend with. So, whatever the season, there's always something that can affect her, poor girl.
Poor Willow. She's still obviously very wobbly, but at least she's got the other two to distract her when she's not so bothered by the scary things! It's fascinating to observe their different characters, but it's also frustrating at times, isn't it!
