Dodman & Dunbar Discuss Drugs & Dogs
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.
