What's you dog like at the vet?

[Ruby Red]

I read Sally's quote on the other thread and thought it might be an interesting one to develop

Originally Posted by Spyglass Sally

Buddy is not cool with going to the vet. He's really not very nice there - kinda embarrassing.

Roddy HATES our vet - we did so much work with him trying to get him used to the vet and the surgery - so many treats and fuss from all the staff and he is fine up to a point. The trouble starts the second he thinks someone is going to do something to him, then he kicks off mega BIG time.

[Spyglass Sally]

Yeah, I'm interested in hearing what others experience too. Good idea Stephanie.

Buddy growls and will even "air nip" at the vet & tech. I say "air nip" because I'm certain he could bite down if he wants to, and he hasn't actually done that. But it's still unacceptable, threatening behavior. So we muzzled him when he was getting his nails trimmed and the torn one initially looked at.

This last time, for the checkup, I just held his muzzle, while Mike held his body, and the vet picked up his paw and looked his nail. No big deal, right? After the vet got back up, I let go of Buddy's muzzle and he immediately lashed out at ME with an air nip. I got right back in his face, holding his muzzle, and scolded him. I couldn't believe it!!!

The vet just laughed and said, "You know, I've notice boxers are kind of vindictive." and went on to tell us a story about another boxer.

We have another appointment for the vet to look at his nail this Saturday but the nail has fallen off. We decided this morning that we're going to take him in anyway, just to try to get him used to it. The last time he not only did what I described above, but growled constantly at other dogs and people in the waiting room. It really was embarrassing!

I hope we're not the only one with a otherwise nice dog who turns into a completely different dog at the vet. I hope we can get him past this. It's not like we go very often, but still, his behavior isn't good.

[Erin251]

bo loves the vet, all he wants to do is sniff play with the other dogs and people get lots of treats and investigate the kitty cage that is usually full of kittens up for adoption... but that was before his big chop.. i dont know what he will do next time.

[Doreen]

Rex LOVES going to the vet. He loves being in the waiting room with every one and all the other dogs. He doesn't realize there are cats in their carriers yet, since I don't let him go exploring. I never like him to scare others or in case they are sick, don't need Rex picking up anything. Although the girl at the desk will warn me to keep Rex away from such and such dog as she knows I would keep mine away from others if mine has something infectious as when I had taken Coco that time I thought she might have had ringworm, but turned out negative.

Rex will put his paws up on the counter as soon as we go in since he knows there is a basket of treats up there and he will get one, LOL. He loves all the techs and the vet too. He'll follow them anywhere they need to take him. Go on the scale to get weighed. No problems.

Each person behind the desk will come out to pet and talk to Rex, give him kisses since they've known all that he has been through since I got him. He has been there so often in the past.

Coco likes being in the vet too, but not as much as Rex. She too will do anything they ask her to do, go anywhere they want her to go. She is very good.

I always get good responses from everyone behind the scenes telling me what good dogs they've been after they've been taken in back for bloodwork.

[superpimp]

I've been at the vet with my lab when a boxer has come in to the waiting room. Pure insanity ensued, lol!

[Spyglass Sally]

We took Buddy to the vet today for his torn nail checkup and he got the okay to do "whatever the hell he wants." But the really good news was he didn't growl at anyone in the waiting area and the worst thing that happened was when the vet walked in the treatment room Buddy growled a little - as he wagged his tail. But even that little growl passed quickly and everything went fine.

We told the vet we thought his nail was fine but we mostly took him in to get him used to the place. He agreed that was a good idea and said that Buddy acted fine. "Nothing bad happened to him." he said. Which is exactly what he needed.

I don't think I mentioned on previous posts, but about a year ago at another vet, Buddy as pinned down and repeatedly jabbed with a needle as a student tried to draw blood for his heart worm test. When he was released he jumped up and "air bit" (again, no contact although he clearly could have) at the people which is the first I'd seen him act that way at the vet. We haven't been back there since, but I think that's where this started.

I understand students need to learn, but I think that the vet should have stepped in on that sooner. What really was the tipping point for me with her was she said that showed aggression/anger issues with Buddy. I thought "he's just been pinned down, by his perspective for no reason, and repeatedly stuck with a sharp needle - is anger really so unexpected?"

Anyway, hopefully we're moving past that. Today went very well.

[purplelori]

Glad to hear it. Wally loves going to the ver, mostly because his 'girlfriend' (one of the techs there) and he have a THING about each other. She even offered to come over to the house and take care of his 'hygene issues' while I was laid up after my rotator cuff surgery in January-that's going above and beyond, I think! But, Wally really loves everyone there, wants to greet the dogs and people who come in, and is VERY curious about the cat carriers. Once a lady was there with a cat in a bag (I know, weird!) and she said 'oh, she loves dogs, here' and opened the bag. Wally stuck his nose up to the opening, and 'HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS'--and a long arm with claws extended lashes out! Wally didn't think that was very hospitable, and decided he didn't want to meet whatever that was! Now he will sniff at the carrier, but stays a safe distance away!

[Ruby Red]

I am glad to read Buddy was ok at the vets this time round. What a horrible experiance he went through - explains alot of his behaviour. Obviously we have no idea why Roddy is as he is, even muzzling him isn't enough - he goes crazy trying to get it off - although he is fine wearing it around the house and even walking down the road with it on, no problem, it's just at the vets.... Earlier this year we took him to a different vets to have his teeth cleaned and some epuli removed, and it was just the worst experiance ever - took 4 of us to hold Roddy down on the table so the vet could anaethitise [sp?] him ....it was complete nightmare to put it politely.

Jakey is abit like Roddy, and he will go for the vet too, but over the years he has mellowed out abit and whilst he doesn't like them, if we hold his head and talk softly and reassure him, he will let the vet do what needs to be done as long as s/he is quick about it.

Ruby is a little dream - she loves anyone and has licks and kisses for everyone, vet, assistant, whoever, they all get lots of Ruby loving. It bugs me so much that I cannot put her up for a therapy dog - she loves humans and fuss and would be really good at it I'm sure. PAT had a stand at Crufts and I went and spoke to them, but they absolutely insist that the dogs are vaccinated and I refuse to do this when her titre results show there is no need. I asked one of the members why they insisted on vaccination - she said well the dog can bring disease to the residents - erm? I have never heard of humans catching parvo, distemper, etc from a dog before............ has anyone else? I asked her why titre results wouldn't be sufficent - she had no clue what titre testing was and wasn't interested in hearing about it either.

[Spyglass Sally]

Although I don't think the bad experience at the vet helped, I do think Buddy is just more aggressive or energetic or whatever you want to call it than many other dogs. Certainly more so than any dog we've ever had before.

Interesting conversation with the PAT people, Stephanie. We can all get locked into our paradigms and not really question them, but if someone comes up asking good questions, it would have been encouraging if she would have acknowledged you had some excellent points.

[Ruby Red]

I agree about us being locked into paradigms Sally. I sometimes think I am too, lol. Raw feeding, no vacs, no flea/worm treatments.............I think some people must think I am very locked in my ideas too!