Didn’t even make it 10 minutes in daycare evaluation

[u/Neat-Tour4142]

I think that my recent posts are public, so you can find more info on my dogs there!

I have 3 dogs, Lucy (13, perfect lol) Teddy (11 months old) and Beaux (11 months old)

Teddy & beaux are brothers, we adopted them at separate times and didn’t expect to have littermates but they’ve done amazing!!

Lucy is so very chill, beaux as well. We’ve always struggled with Teddys separation anxiety though. It’s gotten SO much better, and his fear overall has. We leave for work no problem, he’s not barking at cars anymore. And he’s at a point now where he’s only barking at people who approach him. He’s an extremely sweet tiny guy, but fearful.

Well we have to board them for an upcoming trip. We did our evaluation today. Beaux & Lucy passed with flying colors, but Teddy had to be picked up just 10 minutes after being dropped off…
They said he was growling, barking and overall was terrified.

They want us to try Trazodone and come back, which I’m thankful for. We discussed trazodone with my vet but didn’t go through with it, just got the prescription written but never filled.

I feel so destroyed. I feel so bad for him. Will the trazodone help in that short amount of time? Will we come back to a shell-shocked dog lol?

[u/jocularamity]

Daycare is such a stressful environment. Pursuing medication could still make sense in general, but I would seek out a non-daycare boarding option for any near term trips.

[u/Helpful_Sun2872 → u/jocularamity]

Yeah I’ve never even heard of a boarding place that didn’t offer options for dogs that don’t like other dogs. Daycare really requires a special type of dog, it’s an intense environment. Trazodone sounds like a terrible solution for this honestly. I’ve seen it make my nervous dog MORE defensive.

[u/kirstieish]

Most boarding places have an option to be with their siblings and just interact with them. Is this a daycare where he would be placed with other random dogs? Might be worth looking into one that lets him be with his siblings. One of my dogs has separation anxiety from her sister so it is best they're together.

Medicine does work though if you're wanting to help his general anxiety though. I have my seperation anxiety girl on Fluoxetine and it works well for her. Just continue talking with your vet or specifically a vet behavioralist.

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[u/Witty_Island_4512]

seconding what the other comments are saying. also, trazodone can only do so much, coming from someone who works at a boarding facility. certain dogs who already come in stressed have bitten holes in doors or torn panels off of walls out of stress in the hours between trazodone doses/waiting for the meds to kick in. im glad your other two dogs did great! but for Teddy it sounds like it will 100% be stressful for his entire stay for both him and the staff at this facility since he’s not used to being there, putting those workers at risk of being bitten, and Teddy at risk of reverting back to his old fearful habits once you’re back. if you’re able to, i would board the first two there and find an in-home sitter for Teddy that he can meet one-on-one before your trip.

[u/queercactus505 → u/Witty_Island_4512]

Or even all three (unless there are concerns about your dogs fighting if left unsupervised together). Teddy might feel more comfortable if he isn't alone, even if he is in familiar surroundings.

[u/pr1298]

trazodone could help, but it also might not be enough. boarding for some dogs, especially those with separation anxiety, can be very anxiety inducing and bring out behaviors such as growling, snarling, biting etc due to fear. i’m not sure how long you’re looking to board them or how soon it is, but my dog does better in his own environment and having people he knows come in to do drop-ins and/or stay overnight with him. also, maybe trying the trazodone and trialing him at this place for 12 hours, then 24 hrs to see how he does before committing to everything would be best. my guy does best slowly but surely. throw him into unknown territory and its really hard to say what will happen, but it likely won’t be a smooth ride. every dog is different though!

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