Dog Prozac aggression can mean two things. 1) It might be that your dog has become aggressive because of Prozac (rare) 2) It can also mean that your dog is being treated for aggressive behavior.
If you are afraid your dog is going to hurt someone, you need to take control. The first thing to do is take your dog to the veterinarian. Underlying disease or pain could be at the root of the problem.
Your second option might be a dog trainer or behaviorist, and your third option might be Prozac.
If you’re reading this post, I’ll assume you’re having difficulties with your companion animal’s behavior. This post answers the most frequently asked questions on the topic of dog Prozac aggression.
#1 How Can I Tell if My Dog Has Dog Prozac Aggression?
Dog aggression can come from learned behavior. It can also be a response to fear and anxiety. Unprovoked dog aggression can also be genetic.
Ask yourself the following two questions:
a) Has my dog attempted to bite or attack someone in the last month?
Certain dogs like Cocker Spaniels develop a condition known as Rage Syndrome. The dog can be perfectly fine one minute and biting the next.
b) Do I feel safe with my dog 100% of the time?
Everyone thinks their own dog would never turn on them, but it can happen. Brain injury and disease can contribute to unprovoked aggression. Pain can make a dog bite. You might not know that your dog is in pain or is suffering from an illness.
A veterinarian can do a full examination to see if there is an underlying health condition. Certain health conditions like thyroid disorders, diabetes, rabies, etc., can contribute to that aggression.
You might be interested in: Calming Music for Dogs
2. Should My Dog Be Euthanized For Aggression?
If your large dog were to maul and kill another person, your dog could be put down, and you would likely face charges.
A much smaller dog might not maim or kill a person, but he/she is still a risk to children, other animals, etc. In this case, it would depend on the severity of the situation. Ultimately, the decision is in the hands of the law.
Don’t Take Too Long!
Reconditioning an aggressive dog takes time. However, at some point you have to consider other options. Give it six to eight weeks at the most. If you don’t see any improvement, it might be time to consider Prozac. Let’s assume a veterinarian as already determined there is no physical condition causing the aggression. In that case, it might be in the dog’s best interest to take Prozac.
3. Can Dog Aggression, Fear, and Anxiety be treated with Antidepressants?
Yes. dogs have been successfully treated with antidepressants like Prozac. It’s designed as a temporary measure long enough to get your dog back on track.
Prozac for dogs helps to manage signals in the brain. It takes up to six weeks to work (or longer), but it could put your dog in the right frame of mind for reconditioning.
That means socializing your dog in a variety of situations involving other people and animals. It might mean trying your dog on a new diet, and it will definitely include regular exercise.
Serotonin works as a neurotransmitter, sending messages to the brain. It’s known as the “feel good” hormone and it is released during moderate exercise. In as few as 15 minutes, both you and your dog could be feeling better.
Did you know that some breeds are prone to rage syndrome? Rage syndrome, or Sudden Onset Idiopathic Aggression, is a genetic condition that affects certain breeds, like Cocker Spaniels.
4. Is Dog Prozac Aggression a Side Effect of the Anti-Depressant?
In extremely rare cases, yes. Work with a veterinarian who has experience treating dogs with Prozac and make sure to attend all follow-up appointments. The doctor will assess any side-effects and adjust dosage accordingly.
5. Can I Manage Fear Aggression in My Dog Without Help?
If you want to try to correct the problem on your own, it’s important to take a lot of precautions. Make sure to put a “Beware of Dogs” sign on your property. Muzzle your dog when you take him/her outside.
It’s in your best interest, however, to talk to a dog trainer/ behaviorist. You could learn a few useful techniques in just one visit.
6. My Companion Animal Cornered and Attacked Me. What Should I do?
First, look after yourself. The love for your dog shouldn’t get in the way of common sense. Bring your dog to a veterinarian for an assessment.
Disease, pain, or genetic conditions could be causing the problem. Do not wait for someone to get seriously injured.
MAKE SURE TO READ: 5 NO FAIL STEPS TO WEAN YOUR DOG OFF PROZAC
7. What Else Does Prozac Treat?
Prozac helps a number of conditions including dog aggression, noise anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and separation anxiety.
It’s not easy, but you may have to look within yourself before you can help your dog. Is your home overly noisy and chaotic? Do you reward your dog to try to get him to stop jumping, barking, or lunging? In your mind, you might be trying to calm your dog by speaking softly and patting him. Your dog, however, just sees it as a reward.
8. Can Prozac Replace Behavioral Modification?
In order to see the behavior you want, it’s going to take time and effort. Prozac isn’t designed to solve the problem, however. Prozac is a tool to help calm your dog while you “fix” the real issue.
It takes about six to eight weeks for the medication to really take effect. Once it does, use that time wisely. Your dog might seem to suddenly be “okay”, but without the supplemental training, that dangerous behavior is going to come back with a vengeance.
9. Where Can I Find a Good Behaviorist?
Check out this link to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
Locate certified trainers by clicking on “Locate a Trainer”. You will need to enter your zip code.
In Canada, go to the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers .
In the United Kingdom, go to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
10. Does Prozac for Dogs Have Side-Effects?
Thankfully, Prozac has very few serious side-effects. Dog Prozac aggression is a very rare occurrence.
In the first few weeks, your dog might experience some tummy upset and loss of appetite. This should clear up.
All medications have rare side effects and, in Prozac, they include aggressive behaviour (ironically), seizures, severe itch, diarrhea, and liver damage.
Keep regular follow-up appointments to ensure the best possible outcome.
11. How Do I Wean My Dog From Prozac?
Don’t even think of this until your dog has been on it for a while. The weaning process takes time and must be done very slowly to avoid discontinuation syndrome.
That said, you can find more information on how to wean your dog from Prozac on this website.
12. How Will I Know When It’s Time to Wean My Dog Off of Prozac?
The veterinarian will help you to decide when to wean your dog off of Prozac. Consult with a trained animal behaviorist, your family, and friends, before taking your dog off of Prozac.
Get an honest, unbiased opinion. The important thing is to have a healthy, happy dog.
To Sum It Up…
You should always take an aggressive dog to the veterinarian before he/she hurts someone. It’s possible that an underlying condition is causing the aggression.
Dog Prozac aggression is an extremely rare occurrence and should not stop you from considering an antidepressant.
If your veterinarian prescribes Prozac for your dog, make sure to follow the dosing instructions carefully. Weaning a dog too quickly could be dangerous. Work with your veterinarian when the time comes.
I’ve just given you a lot to consider. Have I missed something? Do you have an aggressive dog and, if so, how do you deal with it? I love hearing from readers.
Feel free to comment below or email me at: latheriault@hugspetproducts.com.
Lisa Jackman
Thursday 13th of January 2022
My friends dog is very aggressive and has bitten three people who came to the house in the last 2 months. The owner tells me that the dog has been on prozac daily for the last three years. I and others are actually scared to visit.
My friend is in complete denial that this is a problem and blames the people who come to the house for the dogs behaviour, and that they should adapt their behaviour, i.e. not leave food where he can get it
Should a dog be on prozac for this amount time. It gets very little exercise because it hardly ever leaves the house, only on the lead with the owner to relieve itself. She cannot let it off the leash, despite having a few acres of garden, because the dog runs off and does not respond to commands. It steals food from the counter tops and even the chicken off the table when their are guests, it was on this occasion after being chased around the house to retrieve the chicken, that a guest was bitten.
I am very worried, the lady is 75 years old and cannot control the dog, in fact the dog controls her.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Lisa
around the whole house with the chicken in its mouth it bit one of the guests.
Lisa Theriault
Friday 14th of January 2022
Thank you for your comment. That sounds like a very difficult situation. She obviously loves her dog very much and perhaps is in denial. Unfortunately, she could be setting herself up for a law suit if her dog bites people. It doesn't sound like you'll be able to convince her that her dog has severe behavioral problems. Instead of bringing up the dog's behavior (which puts her on the defensive), maybe you could suggest that you're concerned about the dog's health in general. I'm thinking if you can get her and the dog to a clinic, the veterinarian may be able to see the dynamics at work and may be able to offer advice. It's a long shot, but it could work.
If we're talking about a large dog who could potentially kill or maim someone, something needs to be done right away. She may not realize that if the dog seriously hurts another person, she could lose her dog permanently. I'm sure she wouldn't want to see children hurt or killed, or anyone else for that matter. It has to be very difficult for her to wrap her head around, but this sounds like a situation that will quickly escalate out of control (it might already be).
Other options might be to offer behavioral training lessons as a gift if she can't afford it. You may need to phone the SPCA to get their input on what to do next. Her denial is putting her dog at risk too. Ultimately, the risk of injury to others could cost her in many ways. You might want to look up the laws in your area on aggressive dogs to show her. It's hard to approach someone with blinders on. Ultimately, if she simply refuses to do anything, and you've done your due diligence, it might be best to stay away to protect yourself.
I hope this gives you a few ideas to get started. The full responsibility for the behavior of her dog is on her shoulders, regardless of how she thinks others are behaving in her house. It could cost her the dog, legal fees, or worse.