Aggressive with the Vet

[Debbie Haman]

I am so disappointed with out 5 month old rottie. While at the vet yesterday he snapped and growled when he was having his ears checked. (His ears were fine) He has never exhibited any aggressive behavior, in fact I had just finished telling the vet that I might postpone neutering! He had to be muzzled to continue. I know this might be just an excuse but right before going into the exam room, a big 100lb shepard went after Zeus, I had to pull him away very quickly. Could this have triggered the aggression towards the vet?

[DonnaJo]

Hi,

Would it be possible for you to take your dog to the vets just for social visits? That is take him in have the staff feed him a cookie and pet him a bit then take him home. Do this a few times and I'm sure he will feel much less threatened at the vets after that.

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Donna Holloway
www.telusplanet.net/public/donnah/HOME.HTM

[Titan]

I agree with DonnaJo. When Titan was a pup we had a similar experience with the vet. I did not like the fact that they immediately muzzled him without even trying to make friends. I went to another vet. Titan refused to even go into the exam room. Until Titan felt comfortable with the new ver, our vet would get on the floor in the hallway with him and give him his exams and shots there!! When we moved out of state, I knew Titan wouldn't be thrilled with a new vet. I took him to the vet for three Tuesdays in a row before his actual appointment. The vet and staff would simply pet him and give him treats. By the time for his appointment came he was fine. If you could do this, your pup would be familiar with his surroundings at the vets and less likely to react out of fear.

[AngelBunny]

Debbie:

You were given good advice. Your dog acted aggressive because he was frightened. Time to desensitize him to the vet's office.

Every now & again, I take Riga and Tula to their vet for what really is a social call. I put them on the scale, the front desk people feed them treats and make a fuss over them, we sit in the waiting area, watching all the other patients and their families come & go. My vet is nice in that he treats them on the floor--they don't have to be picked up to be put on that scary, cold metal table.

While Riga and Tula don't love their vet, the fact that they go there periodically (as opposed to once a year for their spring tune-ups) has made the vet a less threatening place.

[Rottie Mom]

I have a 5 year old Rottie, who is not vet-friendly at all. He was a rescue pup and at 8 months old, went to the vet for the first time and it was not fun. I did the friendly social calls to the vet and he would take the treats, and then growl! If you can avoid this trauma, I would very much suggest doing everything you can to turn this around. I DREAD going to the vet for annual shots -- it is such a fiasco. Muzzle, etc. I don't sleep the night before! My vet assures me that he is not the worse dog at all and I am a good responsible owner but it is traumatic for the two of us. Good for your for trying to nip this in the bud!! Good luck, from someone who lost the battle!!

jodi and rosco from Portland, OR

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