need suggestions on upcoming vet visit - Page 1

Used to be my now 7 yr old male would follow me inside the vet's office no problem. That all changed last year when halfway through the front entrance he suddenly slammed on the brakes and tried to back out of his collar. When he couldn't back out of his collar he started making such a big fuss that a couple of vet techs had to came out of the back  to help get him inside. The dog wasn't being aggressive, growling or biting in any way, just fighting tooth anf nail not to go inside. Once we got him inside he was fine, I handed his leash to one of the vet techs and he followed her in the back no problem. I was really embarrased to say the least.

I have another vet appointment for this dog on Wednesday and am hoping I can get him indide the vet this time without a scene. I spent several months this past summer working on his obedience so I'm hoping it will help. My only plan right now is to load my pockets with treats and try to get him through the doors as quickly as possible. Any other suggestions? This dog weighs 100 + lbs and can be stubborn as a mule when he doesn't want to cooperate.

Hmmnnnn? I would say nothing to be embarressed about. Without knowing the real whys maybe an animal died that day or had to be put to sleep? And he smelled/sensed it and was relunctant for that reason? If it was me I would just try it normal and see what happens. If it doesn't work take his favorite toy or treat and see if that helps? If there's still a problem or major problem I'd check and see if "something" happened last visit. Other than those thoughts I would have to wonder? Maybe those who work at the offices have some insight?

Agree with Alboe on acting normal. You may trigger another response if you're all stressed out about him being stressed out.

I wondered if maybe my dog smelled something like maybe an animal had died.  I also thought about changing vets as I only have routine shots and bloodtests done there. Guess I'll give it one more shot and see what happens. There's something to be said for a little ankle biter you can just pick up and tuck under your arm.

If you possibly can I would go before your scheduled appointment;  go inside and just sit with him/her for a little while, give treat if good;  then leave,  all done without stress, quietly.  Don't ask anything of the dog at this time.  Then when you have the appointment go inside early if possible, just sit, then see vet.  Best of luck, hope it helps.  Nan  This is how I condition my service dogs to a large hectic place like Wal-Mart or Sams Club or Costco.  No one gets to pet them;  i am just there for them to take in their surroundings.  Who knows what your dog smelled at your prior visit but you now need to move on past that.  BOL  Nan

I agree with nans gsd,

maybe,just maybe you should get the vet's techs
to come out and take the dog,while you walk in front into the front entrance of the clinic
and take a seat, while the dog is brought to you inside.

trying to help

I will sure be reading all response on this topic. I have same problem with my girl Kes. I'll go ahead and note first, she has been taken to this vet as an emergency twice, and was hospitalized there for snake bite. (Year apart) So of course, I am assuming this is what started this problem.
When I take her now, I literally have to pick her up and carry her inside the doors. I have taken her by there with really good cookies, and have taken/carried her in just to say hello and get feed cookies. I've went by to buy heartgard or something and parked at the front door so she could see and have left her in the car.
One time we went, I got her out of the car and walked the opposite direction of the office and just walked the grassy perimeter of the building, then when we got up close to the side of the building turned towards pavement hoping to get her in front door. Not a chance. Her brakes locked up and in reverse she went.
Kes is not a girl that gets spooked easy, but she refuses to go in the vets office willingly.
Last trip was embarrassing, I was going to drop her off for grooming appointment since we were headed out of town that day for a dog show. They weren't open yet when I got there so figured we would stand in line at front door. I walked her out front first in grass, she was fine. Start heading back and she was fine up until we reached where the car was parked, she then refused to go any further. I fought her all the way to the front door. Then as we are standing there and trying to keep her from heading back to the car, another lady standing there says oh no, poor baby. She doesn't want to get her shots. I explained to the lady that she wasn't there for shots, just a bath because we were heading to a dog show. That as unbelievable as it looked, this was my obedience dog! I almost choked saying that one. The lady laughed.

If you have a good relationship with the vet/clinic I would ask if you can just stop by with your dog for weigh-ins. I do this periodically with our dogs its more just to get them into the building get lots of treats or play with their toys get weighed/attention from tech or receptionist and we're out of there.  I can't say my dogs like the vet but they deal with it just fine.  We started this after our female pup got spayed, a couple months afterward went to the vet for something and thought I would just run her in, she did the same thing no way she wanted to go back in there.  After a visit or two she was fine, still cautious but does her obedience/tricks and pays attention to me all I want from her. It takes a little more effort to do but certainly worth it in the end.
Amy

Well, the vet appointment was early this morning and this time the dog refused to get out of the car. By the time I got out of the car and opened the door to the back seat he had wedged himself in tighter than a prairie dog's ass in a dust bowl and there was no  prying him loose. So much for walking him in normally.

No vet techs to help this time and I had another appointment I needed to be at so I threw in the towel and left. I did bring some treats and a few of the dog's favorite toys and tried to be as relaxed as possible but no dice. I'm thinking the dog must have been looking over my shoulder reading this thread making some of his own plans.

I'm feeling a little sorry for the dog now wondering what happened when I dropped him off for grooming last year. And the dog, I'm sure, is very relieved. He's all sprawled out  next to my chair riight now snoring like a lumberjack.

Just shot yourself in the foot on that one.