a non-profit whose goal is to help keep dogs out of shelters 
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Our Next Free Workshop

Help, My Dog Is Reactive! – advice from veterinary behaviorist & trainer Dr. Leslie Sinn
Sat, March 16, 1:30 – 3:30pm; St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD

Does Sam become Satan at the sight of another dog? Dr. Leslie Sinn offers insights into what’s going on with our dogs in these dramatic moments, as well as handling techniques, behavior modification, and the long-term effects of reactivity. Speaker: Dr. Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA, Behavior Solutions for Pets
 

Fearful Dog Video Added
We have been able to tape three workshops already with our Maddie's Fund® grant:

"PTSD in Pets" with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB of Animal Behavior Wellness Center (https://youtu.be/AyXUuVY9LVk)
What if your dog were tied outside and left defenseless, was abused, or attacked? Would that explain the sudden rage we see in our otherwise lovable pets?

"Fun, Enriching Activities for Your Dog" with Eager Beagle trainer, Karen Baragona, CPDT-KA (https://youtu.be/_59ZMj252Yc)
Learn fun, creative ways to satisfy your dog’s need for physical exercise and mental stimulation.

JUST ADDED! "Helping Your Fearful Dog Navigate the World" with Dog Latin dog trainer, Juliana Willems, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA (https://bit.ly/2IKV6Xl)
Understand what signs to watch for, how to help your dog feel safe, and what you can do to reduce your dog’s fears.

You can see these workshop videos at the links above or on our new video section under Free Workshops at https://yourdogsfriend.org/videos/ #ThanksToMaddie 
 


The Medication Dilemma: One Woman's Story  
November 16, 2016 by 
                    published on the website of Malena DeMartini       

I knew that Monkey (and I) had a problem when I came home from a short dinner one night, and there were nine notes on my door – from my landlord, from my neighbor (five of them were from her), from the police (they were doing a welfare check and could I call them ASAP?), and the fire department (who were going to have to break down the door if I didn’t respond to the police about the welfare check).

Monkey, at that time, had been living with me for three months and I had never heard her bark or howl before. I had never received complaints from anyone before. So I thought something unusual must have happened – a car backfiring, someone shooting off fireworks, kids playing loudly in the carport. I asked my completely exhausted neighbor the next day if anything had happened, but she couldn’t think of anything. As I was leaving I said, “It’s just so strange that this started all of a sudden, last night.” I remember the dread in my stomach when she replied, “Well, I have been away for three months.” Oh no! Could this have been happening every time I left Monkey, and I hadn’t known? I was overwhelmed by the suffering Monkey had already faced, as well as the long and arduous behavior modification process I knew was likely in front of us

In order to confirm my suspicions, the next time I went out I left a camcorder running with a view of the front door and patio, the only two places where Monkey might try to get out. When I watched the video, my fears were validated. The howling and barking started within five minutes, and were preceded by clawing at the door, drooling, and panting. Watching the recording was absolutely brutal and heartbreaking. To know Monkey had been experiencing hours and hours of panic, repeatedly, was honestly not even something I could take in.

After a lot of research on the internet, and speaking with skilled trainers in the positive reinforcement community, nearly everyone who saw the video encouraged me to seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist. Yesterday. Most said that Monkey would need to be put on psychiatric medication. At that time I was more than a little resistant to the idea of medicating Monkey. Psych meds? For dogs? I rolled my eyes at the idea. I didn’t want a “doped up” or “loopy” dog. I loved Monkey’s personality, and didn’t want her to become a zombie. Wasn’t that abusive? Possibly even cruel? I was willing to try supplements and “natural remedies,” but I would not make Monkey a member of Prozac Nation! Surely if I loved Monkey enough, and was determined enough, I could guide us together through one of the behavior modification programs.

Several very long and exhausting months later I had changed my tune. The truth was that no amount of my efforts and love could get Monkey past even 10 seconds of absence without her displaying signs of uncontrollable anxiety.  The second I left the house she was drooling and panting, pacing back and forth in front of the door. It was very, very painful to watch, and was obviously even more painful for Monkey to experience.

I started to think about the promise that I had made Monkey when I adopted her: I would do anything I could to protect her, give her a happy life, and relieve whatever pain or suffering she might experience. That was my job as her guardian, and my duty as her best friend. Monkey was suffering, and she was very unhappy at times. She was also experiencing chronic anxiety and stress, which was having untold negative effects on her body.

What if medication could help Monkey? If there was a chance of it helping at all, maybe giving it to her was actually the kind option, not the cruel one. And so, after struggling with my own biases against medicating dogs, I found a skilled veterinary behaviorist to discuss treatment options. After Monkey’s bloodwork was done, and I got the all-clear from my regular vet, I filled prescriptions for Prozac and a short-acting anti-anxiety medication. I’ve only used them for a week, but so far Monkey is showing no signs of side effects, and has not, as I feared, turned into a zombie!

Listen, I don’t think any dog parent enjoys giving medication for anything, let alone behavior and/or mental health issues. I’m not going into this naively; I do know that the medications alone won’t fix the problem. Monkey and I have a long, looonnnggg road ahead of us as far as behavior modification programs go. But I am starting to feel cautiously optimistic and hopeful for the first time in months. As for Monkey, she now gets a big dollop of peanut butter morning and night (shhhhh, I don’t think she’s noticed the pills hidden inside), so from her perspective things are already looking up!

Harriet Watson, M.Ed., is a content curator and researcher. She spent 3 long years researching what might be the perfect dog-match for her. Finally a dog came into her life who didn’t resemble the perfect dog at all – and Harriet eventually found in Monkey the dog she needed. Things were smooth sailing in their relationship, until Harriet came home to find an abundant array of notes about Monkey’s howling and barking. Since then, things haven’t been such smooth sailing, but their journey continues!

Malena DeMartini is the author of Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs (Dogwise Publishing) and the founder of the Separation Anxiety Certification Program. The website, www.malenademartini.com, is dedicated to helping guardians whose dogs are suffering with separation anxiety. Malena provides regular blogs on the treatment of separation anxiety and has trainer resources for those who need individualized help. Malena and her certified separation anxiety trainers work with clients in all over the world, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, South America, and Europe.
 



Highlighted Classes
12221 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD

THIS MONDAY! Vet Visit & Grooming Tricks: Monday, March 4, 1:30 - 3:30pm  (1 session)
Train your dog to do "tricks" useful for vet visits, bath time, and nail trims.
Dogs in this class must be friendly with other dogs and people.

JUST ADDED! Pet Tricks: Friday, Mar 8 - Apr 26 (no class on Mar 22 or Apr 19) @ 12:45 - 1:45pm
Teaching tricks is a great way to have fun with your dog, exercise her brain and body, build your bond, and practice the training skills you already have and learn new ones! You can also earn your way up the different levels of the AKC’s Trick Dog Titles. 
Prerequisite: Our Basic or Puppy K or other positive training, with instructor's permission.
Dogs in this class must be friendly with people and other dogs.

ONLINE Fearful Dog Class: Wednesday, Mar 13 - Apr 10 (no class on Apr 3)
Learn strategies to help your fearful (but not reactive) dog get over some of his fears. Four webinars plus access to a Facebook discussion group. 

Distracted Dog Class: Sat, March 16 - May 11 (no class on April 20) at 5:15pm
Learn to help your impulsive, impatient dog control his normal doggy impulses and pay more attention to you, even around distractions. 
Prerequisite: a positive training class or private instruction with a positive trainer.


Check our Basic MannersPuppy KindergartenPuppy Party (and more!) scheduled here.
 


FREE Spring Workshops
Workshops are from 1:30 - 3:30pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda. Only demo and service dogs are allowed. 

Advice for Adopters - guidance for adopters, potential adopters, and fosters
Sun, March 17, April 7 & May 19

Help! My Dog is Reactive! - advice from veterinary behaviorist Dr. Leslie Sinn
Sat, March 16
 
Children & Strangers & Men, Oh My! - with trainer & author Colleen Pelar 
Sat, March 30 

It Must be Magic - simple solutions to common problems
Sat, April 13 

On the Go - tips & tricks for bringing your dog out and about around distractions
Sat, May 4 

Learn to Speak Dog!
Sat, May 18

You can see all of our workshops and register at http://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/
 


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Training Center: 12221 Parklawn Dr, Rockville, MD 20852
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