This is a placeholder text
Group text
by Flamethower on 06 December 2011 - 02:12
Hi all,
my guys are 14 month old German Shepherd. He's reasonably well trained, just young and strong willed.
I took him to the Vet today for his vaccination updates and the Vet had to muzzle him. My dog was scared and hard to control. I was very surprised, he's not like this, usually very friendly with others when I'm around (ofcourse people don't normally poke and prode him!).
Should I be concerned, I have heard from other Shepherd owners that they normally muzzle to go to the Vet. I have taken my animals to this Vet for awhile but to be truthful I've never been happy with him. Maybe I should have changed Vets awhile ago.
Any similar issues out there?
my guys are 14 month old German Shepherd. He's reasonably well trained, just young and strong willed.
I took him to the Vet today for his vaccination updates and the Vet had to muzzle him. My dog was scared and hard to control. I was very surprised, he's not like this, usually very friendly with others when I'm around (ofcourse people don't normally poke and prode him!).
Should I be concerned, I have heard from other Shepherd owners that they normally muzzle to go to the Vet. I have taken my animals to this Vet for awhile but to be truthful I've never been happy with him. Maybe I should have changed Vets awhile ago.
Any similar issues out there?
by trixx on 06 December 2011 - 02:12
my dogs are great at the vet never had any problems, how much socailizing has he had?
by GSDguy08 on 06 December 2011 - 03:12
I think for some dogs, fear at the vet goes back to nervousness towards other dogs......When you think about how many smells from however many thousands of dogs go into that vet..... Some dogs get really nervous by it, and react differently towards people, when normally they're buddy buddy with people. I've seen a difference from my dogs though at youth, and now as adults..... Somewhat nervous there when they were around your dogs age, but now totally confident, care free, and outgoing. I took Buck in today to get his rabies, (he turns 3 in less than a month) and he was glad to shake everyones hand (seriously). The only thing bad he did there was give a cat a stare down. Our vets have a bad habit of letting cats sleep on the counters or walk all over the place. And there was a new woman working there, who had a very, very young cat who was on my side of the counter. Well, it was walking towards us, and I told them to pick it up before it ends up dead.
I'm curious as to how much daily exercise your dog gets too though? The more anxious they are, and the more energy built up, can affect how the dog is there as well. You might consider going for a long bike ride right before your next vet visit. I've worked with dogs who were so fearful of men......Took them on a long, long run along side a "gator" and they could actually sit around men that normally they were scared to death of. It was a good way to start in the dogs rehabilitation in getting him to not be fearful of men.
I'm curious as to how much daily exercise your dog gets too though? The more anxious they are, and the more energy built up, can affect how the dog is there as well. You might consider going for a long bike ride right before your next vet visit. I've worked with dogs who were so fearful of men......Took them on a long, long run along side a "gator" and they could actually sit around men that normally they were scared to death of. It was a good way to start in the dogs rehabilitation in getting him to not be fearful of men.
by phrannie on 06 December 2011 - 03:12
MoJo has been terrified at the Vets from the first time he ever went (well, I didn't take him when he was still with him mom)...and I always had a feeling that something very scary "to HIM" happened at that time. The Vet had to muzzle him at 9 weeks old. I did everything I could think of to make a Vet visit less traumatic. We'd go and spend time there, sit in the waiting room...let the ladies give him treats...then leave. Go back day after day doing this...all was well, until the day we actually had an appointment, and went into the back...no way was he going to let them touch him.
Skip ahead to now....he's 8 years old, is loving and kind to his family....wonderfully social with people who come to visit....great with little animals....I mean he's a GREAT dog....but take him to the Vet, and he red zones....SO SO fearful we have muzzle him and knock him out just for a check up.
All I can tell ya, is to try the spending time at the Vets without an appointment.....going in, sitting around....getting treats from office staff....and leaving....and repeating this....it didn't work for MoJo, but I hear it does work for many dogs.
p
Skip ahead to now....he's 8 years old, is loving and kind to his family....wonderfully social with people who come to visit....great with little animals....I mean he's a GREAT dog....but take him to the Vet, and he red zones....SO SO fearful we have muzzle him and knock him out just for a check up.
All I can tell ya, is to try the spending time at the Vets without an appointment.....going in, sitting around....getting treats from office staff....and leaving....and repeating this....it didn't work for MoJo, but I hear it does work for many dogs.
p
by amysavesjacks on 06 December 2011 - 04:12
I work at two different Veterinarians... I take my dogs (I own three shepherds) to both... And took them to work with me when they were pups (so you think they would be used to things).
The seven year old female... she was always great... would jump right on the table... until we did an A.I. with her... now she get on... but whines the whole time (and its been 3 years since she had that done!).
The two year old... no problem whatsoever. However, she gets VERY nervous if standing on the stainless steel table. If we put a pad down she's fine.
Now... I have a pup... who is almost 16 weeks old. And though he is friendly and outgoing. I KNOW I will have a problem with him when he is an adult. I am already having issues putting my fingers in his ears/mouth and picking him up. (He is very dominant and he fights it).
We have WAY MORE THAN 10 German Shepherds that come into our offices collectively that are overly anxious and require muzzling (though if at all possible we try to avoid that).
We tell owners that have fearful dogs to bring them in periodically for a HAPPY VISIT... we ask them to come in... put the dog in the room, and possibly on the table... give it a treat... and leave. No stress... just a happy visit. The more often they come in... the easier it is on the dog... especially if they know the outcome (that super special treat you saved just for that occasion).
The seven year old female... she was always great... would jump right on the table... until we did an A.I. with her... now she get on... but whines the whole time (and its been 3 years since she had that done!).
The two year old... no problem whatsoever. However, she gets VERY nervous if standing on the stainless steel table. If we put a pad down she's fine.
Now... I have a pup... who is almost 16 weeks old. And though he is friendly and outgoing. I KNOW I will have a problem with him when he is an adult. I am already having issues putting my fingers in his ears/mouth and picking him up. (He is very dominant and he fights it).
We have WAY MORE THAN 10 German Shepherds that come into our offices collectively that are overly anxious and require muzzling (though if at all possible we try to avoid that).
We tell owners that have fearful dogs to bring them in periodically for a HAPPY VISIT... we ask them to come in... put the dog in the room, and possibly on the table... give it a treat... and leave. No stress... just a happy visit. The more often they come in... the easier it is on the dog... especially if they know the outcome (that super special treat you saved just for that occasion).
by Judy P on 06 December 2011 - 04:12
I have both GSD's and Malinois - I take them both to te vet and never have any problems. I can put my male Mal in a sit and he will allow the vet to draw blood, give shots or anything. However we never put them on the table once they get past puppy size, my vet gets on the floor with them.
by Flamethower on 06 December 2011 - 04:12
Thanks for your replies guys.
I will definatly take your advice re Vet visits and exercise. I have also found a Vet who see's most of the dogs at the local GSD Club. Hate to see my fella scared, its not like him.
I will definatly take your advice re Vet visits and exercise. I have also found a Vet who see's most of the dogs at the local GSD Club. Hate to see my fella scared, its not like him.
by Two Moons on 06 December 2011 - 05:12
FlameT,
Why did the vet muzzle your dog?
Did the vet put it on, or did you?
Do you, did you, and can you handle your dog?
Or does a vet tech do it?
If you don't like the vet your dog probably doesn't like him either, if it's a him.
He will remember the incident by the way so perhaps switching vets would be a good idea.
Moons.
Why did the vet muzzle your dog?
Did the vet put it on, or did you?
Do you, did you, and can you handle your dog?
Or does a vet tech do it?
If you don't like the vet your dog probably doesn't like him either, if it's a him.
He will remember the incident by the way so perhaps switching vets would be a good idea.
Moons.
by Rass on 06 December 2011 - 13:12
My dogs AND my cats are good at the vets. That being said, with 5 cats (two are on meds) and two dogs, I go to the vet frequently. I take the dog with me to pick up stuff for the other animals. I put the dog on the scale and update her weight (either dog) and hand out really high value treats. I even have the VET give them treats and normally NO ONE gives my dogs any food.
My vets are skilled surgeons. I care about them and I surely care about their hands. No dog bites and no cat bites is my philosophy.
Two months ago my young dog twisted a toe and it was VERY painful.. apparently she jammed it and dislocated it and it went back on its own. Normally I would not have gone to the vet but she was due to be in a show in 3 weeks.. so off to the vet we went. Because she had raised a lip at me at home when I checked her lameness I told them to muzzle her. She was fine.. but why risk it. The vet took her muzzle off and then they had a little happy dog party with treats. All was forgiven.
My older dog goes to the vet with me too and she LOOKS for her vet. She will seak him out to say Hi and get petted.
Even the cats are good. They walk on leash and allow the vets and techs to handle them. They sit and stay or lay down on the table and stay and never offer to do anything cat evil, even through blood draws and needle sticks.
Maybe I have special animals. I don't know. All my pet animals have always been good with the vet. The livestock (when I had them) not always so much.. but that was altogether differnt.
If a dog or cat seemed at all unreliable we just muzzled and life went on. My last dog was routinely muzzled because she could be a bit sharp.. but she was never fearful. She happily went into the vet's office. We used to go and get the mulitiple animal discount. One dog (off leash.. Kazi never work a collar of a leash and was always under control) and 4 cats on leash. Walked over to the scale and one by one would "hop on" and then "have a seat" to get weighed, and then go in the room and lie down and stay to wait for everyone to be weighed in. door open. Even with the cats. door closed after all were present and we waited for the vet. Each would be examined and so forth in turn and then wait for the rest to be examined. No growling, No running away, no fear. The techs used to come out and watch.
I always thought that was how everyone's animals behaved.. because that was how mine behaved.
I think I would take your 14 month old dog to a LOT of different places and set up food association with new situations. Different places should INCLUDE your vet's office. Just go in, Feed Feed Feed, and walk out and leave. Go back and repeat another day. Act like it is nothing except an opportunity to give the dog lots of happy and great treats. Use very high value treats like bits of cooked beef, bits of cooked liver, and so forth.
Good luck.
My vets are skilled surgeons. I care about them and I surely care about their hands. No dog bites and no cat bites is my philosophy.
Two months ago my young dog twisted a toe and it was VERY painful.. apparently she jammed it and dislocated it and it went back on its own. Normally I would not have gone to the vet but she was due to be in a show in 3 weeks.. so off to the vet we went. Because she had raised a lip at me at home when I checked her lameness I told them to muzzle her. She was fine.. but why risk it. The vet took her muzzle off and then they had a little happy dog party with treats. All was forgiven.
My older dog goes to the vet with me too and she LOOKS for her vet. She will seak him out to say Hi and get petted.
Even the cats are good. They walk on leash and allow the vets and techs to handle them. They sit and stay or lay down on the table and stay and never offer to do anything cat evil, even through blood draws and needle sticks.
Maybe I have special animals. I don't know. All my pet animals have always been good with the vet. The livestock (when I had them) not always so much.. but that was altogether differnt.
If a dog or cat seemed at all unreliable we just muzzled and life went on. My last dog was routinely muzzled because she could be a bit sharp.. but she was never fearful. She happily went into the vet's office. We used to go and get the mulitiple animal discount. One dog (off leash.. Kazi never work a collar of a leash and was always under control) and 4 cats on leash. Walked over to the scale and one by one would "hop on" and then "have a seat" to get weighed, and then go in the room and lie down and stay to wait for everyone to be weighed in. door open. Even with the cats. door closed after all were present and we waited for the vet. Each would be examined and so forth in turn and then wait for the rest to be examined. No growling, No running away, no fear. The techs used to come out and watch.
I always thought that was how everyone's animals behaved.. because that was how mine behaved.
I think I would take your 14 month old dog to a LOT of different places and set up food association with new situations. Different places should INCLUDE your vet's office. Just go in, Feed Feed Feed, and walk out and leave. Go back and repeat another day. Act like it is nothing except an opportunity to give the dog lots of happy and great treats. Use very high value treats like bits of cooked beef, bits of cooked liver, and so forth.
Good luck.
by GSDguy08 on 06 December 2011 - 13:12
Rass post reminded me........ I did take Buck, very often to the vet just to weigh him........Nothing else. There would be many times I'd just walk in, say I'm coming to weigh him, and I'd go back and weigh him on the scale. Then I'd just talk to the vet for a minute, or one of the vet techs. I'm sure that helped Buck as well through his youth. (I did that just to help him get more and more use to going there since that was his only nervous place) Yesterday after his rabies, the tech held out her hand for him to shake "hands" and then she gave him a treat afterwards as well. Buck would have been fine without that, but it's still a good positive experience after getting a needle in you. My youngest pup, Little Dude is slightly fearful at the vet as of now, but honestly.....I don't worry about it. He seems to be right where Buck was at that age when it comes to the vet......Buck now is fantastic. Not to mention I can always take Buck with me and Little Dude acts just like Buck, it's funny. He forgets everything when big brother is there with him.
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top