The treatment of phobias in the dog

Since 1992 the authors have been compiling a casebook of detailed histories of canine phobia. As the work progressed modifications were made to the diagnostic criteria of anxiety in the dog. A combination of phenobarbitone with propranolol has been employed with perceived success supported by anecdotal evidence from the owners, behaviorists and veterinarians involved. An attempt is made here to set out a rational system of diagnosis with regard to published work on the neuropsychology of fear. Tentative suggestions as to the efficacy of the treatment and interpretation of results are made. It is hoped that such an appraisal might be the ground work for compilation of suitable protocols for more rigorous assessment of such cases. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.