Do Not Use Laser Pointers With Dogs. Part 9

Part 9: Medication and Hiring a Behavioral Modification Trainer

Photo: https://montkush.com/hemp-vs-marijuana-whats-the-difference/

Since being informed that the laser pointer caused my precious puppy to develop OCD and why, I’ve watched numerous videos and read numerous articles regarding dogs with laser pointer syndrome/OCD.   There is only one trainer that I found on video that shows what they did to help the dog. That is Victoria Stillwell of the television program “It’s Me Or The Dog”.  

When a dog is having an OCD episode, the generic advice of “needing more exercise” is insufficient.  A good amount of written material by trainers gives nothing more than that generic advice. 

Before we can give a dog with laser pointer syndrome/OCD more exercise, we first have to get its attention.  We also need to identify triggers. 

According to Canine Behavioral Specialists in the Tampa Bay Area:

 “Behavioral Specialists focus on shaping behaviors in animals and tend to work with pets displaying behavior problems. They can recognize how and why your pet’s behavior is abnormal, and can effectively teach you how to understand and work with your pet. “

Gracie has two vets.  Both are aware of her behavior after the laser pointer.  Both recommended that I hire a behavioral modification trainer, but neither knows of one in our area that they could recommend.

Yes, I hired a local behavioral modification trainer who advertises on her website of being certified and experienced in behavioral modification training.   I was excited to have found her.   I agreed to  four sessions and paid her upfront, in-full as she required. She is the trainer that made me aware that Gracie’s behavior of searching for the elusive laser beam was a real, psychological condition caused by the laser pointer.

Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution

The only thing she did for two sessions was walk Gracie on loose-leash – once in the backyard and once on the lawns of my neighbors.    It didn’t work out well the second time — reminds me of the photo on the left.  Addressing Gracie’s anxiety just after the second session, that behavioral modification trainer first blamed the breeder.  Then she blamed the student, (Gracie). Then she made statements that I was too old to have a German Shepherd Dog and should have gotten a small dog.  But, she knew my age, my background owning large dogs, and Gracie’s breed before she agreed to train Gracie in the areas of focus that I requested.

At the conclusion of the second session, she advised me to hire a “team” including her and a vet that charges $475.00 for a phone call of one hour.  Gracie’s vets already prescribed her medication and treatment.  My immediate thought was that she lacked behavioral modification training and wanted me to pay for the vet she recommended to tell her what to do.  In the alternative, she suggested that I re-home Gracie.  If Gracie’s anxiety can be helped, why do I have to give her away for her to receive that help?  That’s why I hired a behavioral modification trainer.

Learn From My Desperation To Get Help For Gracie

That trainer quit after two sessions.   I essentially paid her for nothing. My suggestion is that if you seek to hire a behavioral modification trainer, make sure they know more than general obedience training and specifically, working with dogs who have obsessive, compulsive disorder. Get references that you can phone and ask if there are videos you can watch to see the trainer in action doing more than general obedience training.

Victoria Stillwell’s video in part 8 of this series contains logic that I’ve adopted.  That logic is that laser pointers cause dogs to rely solely on sight.  Having them change focus to the sense of smell is necessary.   (More on this in Part 10. )

In October, I began giving Gracie hemp treats.  Originally, I purchased them to keep her calm when riding in the car. 

In November after her surgery, I started giving her the hemp treats when she had an OCD episode and they did calm her down.  In November, her vet prescribed Prozac.  I did not immediately start her on the medication.  Later, I realized that I felt so guilty using the laser pointer that I felt it was my responsibility to correct the results without having to drug my pup.  

Because I had failed to research the laser pointer before using it, I developed my own obsession — researching everything that involves Gracie.  Melatonin is an ingredient in the Hemp Treats that I purchased.  Melatonin should not be taken when Prozac is also being taken.  They cancel each other out so Gracie would not have benefited from either.

It’s a good thing that I researched that matter because Gracie’s vet did not ask if I was already giving her anything.  I phoned him and gave him the dosage for the melatonin, and because it is small, he instructed me to wait 24 hours before starting the Prozac.  Also, because it takes several weeks before Prozac kicks-in, he said I could give her CBD as long as it does not contain anything else.

I called Gracie’s original vet and he gave me the name of the company his clinic uses for CBD.  Innovet makes hemp oil.  It is also called hemp CBD.   It is safe for dogs, having less than 0.03 % THC.   He prefers that Gracie is on hemp oil than Prozac and we are going to work on weaning her off of the Prozac.

I want to give a shout-out to Two Sides To A Story who commented on part 4.  She alerted me that hemp CBD is not the same as CBD that comes from the cannabis plant.  Hemp is rich in cannabidiol (CBD), which is a non-psychoactive compound that is believed to have a range of health benefits. 

If you use the internet to research hemp oil, you will find that the term is used interchangeably with CBD without presenting if it comes from the hemp or cannabis plant.  The following comes from Medical News Today;

“CBD can be derived from hemp or marijuana plants. For some people, the differences between the two can be confusing. In short, hemp plants generally contain more CBD, while marijuana plants contain more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).”

THC is what causes the high in marijuana products.  For dogs, it slows their respiration and changes their heart rate.  

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. CBD products with less than 0.3% THC is federally legal. CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana.   

Please check with your vet before starting your pooch on hemp oil.  Like Prozac, it changes liver enzymes.  The vet might want to do a blood test to establish a baseline and will schedule blood tests thereafter.  Additionally, if your pooch takes medication, it is pertinent that you check with your vet before giving it hemp oil.  There is one report that if giving Prozac and hemp CBD, to administer two hours before or two hours after the Prozac.  The liver uses the same enzymes to metabolize both. 

If you order through Innovet, they have a dosage chart based on weight to take the guess work out of things.  The price also differs based on the weight of the dog. (Note: I am not being paid to present information about Innovet.)  Additionally, you can change the dosage from one drop, to two or three drops which is the maximum amount.  It can be given every 6 hours.  A week ago, I started Gracie on two drops, twice a day.   I see a positive change.  With a call of her name, she is now able to stop herself from going into full pouncing, barking, digging episodes looking for the laser beam. 

This has come after 3 months of trying various distractions, additional exercise, and eliminating triggers.  If I only knew then what I know now. (Sigh) 

Next: Part 10, Trials and Trying.   What I’ve Done To Help Gracie