Two of Dog Star Daily’s bloggers, Dr. Nicholas Dodman and Dr. Ian Dunbar, were featured in yesterday’s New York Times Magazine cover story, Animal Pharm, about the role of pharmacology in treating behavior problems in dogs. It is a little known fact that Dodman and Dunbar are old pals who bonded more than 30 years ago over their mutual interest in resolving animal behavior problems. Interestingly, the two men went about their work from different perspectives and have met up again in the middle where intervention via medication and training intersects.
Dr. Dodman’s early training and research led him to focus on resolving behavior problems via his knowledge of behavioral pharmacology with tremendous success. He founded the Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic, the first of it’s kind, in 1986.
Dr. Dunbar’s early training and research led him to focus on resolving behavior problems via his knowledge of behaviorism also with tremendous success. He founded SIRIUS® Puppy Training, the first puppy school of it’s kind, in 1982.
The old friends agree there is no magic pill or protocol. To address severe behavioral problems Dr. Dodman prescribes behavior modification plans and exercise in addition to prescription drugs; and in the article Dr. Dunbar concedes, “pharmacological aids are helpful in extreme circumstances”.
Both men are pioneers in the field of animal behavior modification and training and we are very honored to have their insight and experience available to us here at Dog Star Daily. Read the entire Animal Pharm article to learn more about Dodman & Dunbar’s views of the roles of both training and drug therapy in changing dog behavior.
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The new prozac nation...
I read the article in the NYT magazine. It was quite informative, though I thought a bit negative in it's attitude towards medication for conditions in the animals that may be neurochemically based.
I am a fan of both Dr. Dodman and Dr. Dunbar so it was certainly interesting to hear they are on different sides of the equation.
Personally, I think that if you can manage behaviour modification sans medication that is the best way to go. That is a big IF though, knowing what we do now about human neurochemical functions and how medication can assist (with cognitive behavioural therapy)in alleviating or modifying mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders or clinical depression, it is not such a big leap to assume that these medications can assist in cases where the symptoms are severe enough to prevent behaviour modification from working on it's own.
It would be a sin to see pet owners jump on the medication bandwagon thinking that a pill will solve all their pet's issues, but I believe that more and more people in society today have had their own experiences with some of these drugs and are better informed as to how they work and in which cases they do not.
I think if we all took the attitude that medication should be used only with careful thought and thorough assessment of the needs of the pet, without promoting it as a panacaea for all behavioural issues (as Big Pharma is wont to do),that all can benefit from the information and products available.
Maggi Burtt
Dodman & Dunbar
Hi there Maggi
I certainly wouldn’t say, that Dr. Dodman and I “are on opposite sides of the equation”. On the contrary, I would say that Nick and I are pretty much in agreement in terms of how drugs generally and specifically affect the behavior and emotions of animals. (Obviously,) anxiolytic drugs reduce anxiety in people and appear to reduce anxiety in animals (on which they were first tested). Reducing anxiety makes the animal more amenable to training by “pouring oil on troubled waters” as Nick puts it. The animal becomes calmer and generally less active, such that all specific behaviors (including the problem ones) decrease in frequency. However, in his many books and lectures, Nick has always advocated basic training as the first line of treatment and even after prescribing medication for the more extreme cases, that specific training is further necessary to alter the frequency or nature of specific behaviors. Nick tries to develop more effective drugs and I try to develop more effective training techniques — specific retraining techniques that are as quick and easy and as effortless as possible, so that owners will at least give it a go and then, relish in their success. Owners just want “a pill” because it presents an easy solution, but also because advertising and promotion has lead them to believe that the pill will work specifically and absolutely.
Thanks
Hi Dr. Dunbar,
Thank you for responding. I stand corrected. I appreciate the clarification as I found the article was "clear as mud" pertaining to yours and Dr. Dodman's philosophies on the subject. And yes, our quick fix society is a large part of the equation.
Take care.
Maggi Burtt
Tailspin Petworx
Example of a "pill"
Owners just want “a pill” because it presents an easy solution, but also because advertising and promotion has lead them to believe that the pill will work specifically and absolutely.
A 42 lb. 3yo nm Springer comes into rescue for "misbehaving" and it's discovered that the dog is on the highest daily dosage of Clomicalm (ie stoned!) AND the owner was using an electronic shock collar as training tool... both recommended by professionals who weren't aware of the combination. We weaned him off the drug (under vet supervision) and started lure-reward training where he has blossomed into a biddable and relaxed dog in a new home.
Thank you for continuing to educate those who work with animals so we can all find the right combinations that lead to success.
Respectfully
Donna Toews
Put a springer in your step!
www.esracanada.org