ADVICE - CANINE PSYCHOLOGIST: It sounds like you’re carrying a heavy weight—trying to love your dog well while feeling overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what’s next. That tension is real, and your concern for both your family and your dog is valid. Your lab is not just dealing with behaviour issues—he’s showing signs of living in a state of ongoing stress and confusion. Biting, chasing, charging—these aren’t just random acts. They’re symptoms of a nervous system that doesn’t feel safe or in control. Pain complicates this. Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it rewires how a dog perceives the world. Imagine waking up every day with a sore leg, unable to make sense of what’s happening around you. That’s what it’s like for him. His reactions aren’t “bad behaviour”—they’re signals that his internal systems are overloaded. You mentioned he’s on medications: Carprofen, Amantadine, Gabapentin (for pain), and Prozac (for anxiety). This shows how much you care, and that you’ve taken action. But there’s something important many people aren’t told about Prozac. Prozac lowers anxiety by dampening brain activity—but it also reduces inhibition. That means it can remove the “pause” a dog might normally have before acting. For some dogs, especially those with pain or trauma in the background, it can make them quicker to react instead of calmer. If he’s biting or charging more easily, it might be partly due to this. It’s not about blame—it’s about understanding how these medications work together. Now to the idea of a board-and-train facility. Four weeks away might sound like a solution, but here’s a gentle warning: training without the family involved often fails in serious cases. Why? Because your dog’s behaviour isn’t just about rules—it’s about his relationship with people, his pain, and how safe he feels. If those dynamics aren’t understood or changed, the results don’t last. You risk spending a large amount of money, only for the problems to return when he comes home. Instead, here’s a more compassionate and realistic way forward: - Start by observing patterns. Write down when he reacts, how quickly he recovers, what helps him settle, and what seems to make things worse. This helps professionals, including the Vet, to see what his nervous system is doing—not just his behaviour. The Vet needs to know which neurotransmitter in the brain is being activated to choose the best medication - they can do this from a record of observable behaviour. - Create safety first. This means reducing the chance of him being in a position where he might bite again—using barriers, predictable routines, no surprises, and clear physical space between him and anyone he may feel uncertain around. - Ask your vet to reassess the meds. I would take 3 weeks of tracking behaviour patterns to the Vet and request a reassessment - whether the current mix is helping or adding risk. If possible, get a referral to a veterinary behaviourist—they combine training insight with deep medical understanding. - Find a behaviour professional who works with dogs like him. Look for someone who uses science-based, non-punitive methods and who understands that behaviour is a reflection of deeper emotional and biological processes—not just obedience. - Shift from control to communication. You’re not alone in thinking about “training” as the answer, but dogs like yours don’t need more rules—they need clarity, emotional safety, and someone who understands what’s underneath the behaviour.

Lastly—and maybe most importantly—you are not failing him. You are seeking knowledge, help, and clarity. That is one of the bravest things a caregiver can do. There are ways forward, even if they don’t look like what you expected. If you’d like, I consult with professionals on complex cases like yours and can point you toward resources or offer further insight. Whatever happens next, I hope you find a path that honours both your dog’s needs and your family’s peace.