Effects of orally administered psychotropic drugs on dog conditioned avoidance responses

Orally administered haloperidol, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, clozapine, and diazepam blocked a conditioned avoidance response in male beagle dogs. All compounds except diazepam also inhibited escape behavior. Avoidance blocking does of haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and thioridazine in dogs were similar o human therapeutic dosage ranges for these drugs. The usefulness of shock avoidance by dogs as a predictor of human dosage and side effects for major tranquilizers is discussed.