This Rescue Dog’s PTSD Almost Tore His Family Apart—But They Found a Way to Help Him Thrive
Ever wondered, “ Can dogs get PTSD?”
The short answer is yes, they can. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) isn’t a condition limited only to humans; it can affect our furry friends, too, particularly those who’ve been through traumatic experiences. (Watch the video below)
One such case is Gilbert, an adopted Pitbull who battled canine PTSD for months. You see, Gilbert’s past wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. This handsome Pittie spent many months tied up to a shed all alone, living off scraps. Plus, sweet Gilbert was also used for dogfighting. When Gilbert found a forever home shortly after his rescue, his deep-seated trauma did not magically disappear; rather, it followed him into his new home. Gilbert would have multiple PTSD episodes in a single day, and they’d all start with what seemed like playful zoomies. Then, all of a sudden, he would bite his humans or anyone around him, unprovoked.
@gilbert.the.pit Replying to @MxFrizzle I had a lot of general questions about Gilbert’s anxiety and experience getting on Prozac. I wanted to share our experience to give others hope & bring comfort to those looking to make a similar decision. Rehoming was NEVER an option. Gilbert’s behaviors took control of our lives & even caused some uncertainty in the in the relationships closest to us due to their opinions. I’m begging a lot of you to gain perspective & understand that most shelter dogs come with a lot of unimaginable trauma and pain that we will never understand. If “exercising” Gilbert would’ve fixed his anxiety, we would be incredibly privileged. Most of all I wanna shout out all the dog parents advocating for their pets physical and mental health. If nobody had told you, you are doing great and I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing! 🫶🏻❤️🩹 #dogsoftiktok #pittiesoftiktok #adoptdontshop ♬ original sound – Noah Kahan
“Within 24 hours of adoption, he already started having PTSD episodes. They’d always start with zoomies, and end with him fearfully biting us….they were random & we couldn’t identify consistent triggers,” Gilbert’s owner captioned in an emotional video posted on her TikTok account @gilbert.the.pit.
The Breakthrough
It wasn’t that Gilbert wanted to hurt those around him. He was (and still is) full of love, but the trauma inside him was so loud that it drowned out all his good intentions. Despite Gilbert’s struggle with PTSD, his owners did not at any point think of rehoming him. They knew Gilbert wasn’t a bad dog; he just needed help and tons of patience.
After consulting a trusted vet and multiple trainers, Gilbert’s owners finally decided to take the medication route. They got Gilbert started on Prozac, a drug used to effectively manage dog PTSD as well as other fear and anxiety-related conditions in dogs.
Slowly, Gilbert’s playful zoomies stopped being a ticking time bomb. His fearful bites stopped being a regular occurrence, and he began to enjoy life without the terror of PTSD. Today, Gilbert is no longer the “troubled PTSD dog” who poses a danger to everyone around him; he has risen above his traumatic past. What makes Gilbert’s healing journey even more beautiful is that during his first few months in his adoptive home, he couldn’t hug his owners without resorting to biting out of fear. Nowadays, he curls up so close and dishes out the biggest hugs, as though making up for all the bonding time he lost to PTSD.
Thanks to medication and consistent support from his loving owners, Gilbert isn’t just surviving; he’s thriving. His progress is, without a doubt, proof that no dog— no matter their past — is too broken to heal.
Since it’s uploading, several TikTok users have flooded the video’s comments section applauding Gilbert’s owners for their patience and dedication.
“As a fellow Prozac puppy momma, thank you for not giving up on him and for helping him live his best, happiest life,” one user wrote.
“He’s so happy to have you. So many people wouldn’t be able to give these many chances. I wish him (and you) a beautiful life together,” a second person added.
“He couldn’t have found better owners! Our rescue is also on Prozac. So frustrating when people judge, even though it makes these dogs just so much happier. So happy for Gilbert,” another commented.
