Toby's violence isn't just for groomers

[Opium88]

So Toby was doing this awful awful hard continuous hiccupping thing that freaked me out all night long, and acted like he was gonna throw up violently except nothing ever came up... so when he was still doing it off and on the next morning I took him to see the vet. The instant we walked into the waiting room he was s**tty to every other dog, so we sat alone so he'd stay calm. And the instant we got into the room he turned violent and wouldn't let the vet do anything other than barely check his heart and lungs. Nothing else. Wouldn't let anyone but me even touch him. I'm so frustrated because the only vet he ever really let get near him retired. So this is frustrating. I told them he needed his shots and I ended up leaving there with him still needing them because they couldn't deal with his temperament to give them to him. Uugh! And I do have sedatives to give him before grooming and they don't work. He gets all defensive and doesn't relax and is just as aggressive on them. I don't know what to do.

[Lovetodream88]

You really need to contact and trainer and or behaviorist.

[gemy]

Yes and teach your dog a muzzle in the interim

[Opium88]

We have to use a muzzle for grooming. But he won't hold his body still. He thrashes like a fish. I'm gonna end up having to give him his shots myself. He is the sweetest most loving dog, unless he's being groomed or at the vet. Then a demon takes over.

[Opium88]

And scott and i are the only people in the entire world that he trusts. It sucks...Cause if I don't know what's wrong or how to fix it, he's gonna be s**t out of luck. And I don't know much of anything.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Opium88

We have to use a muzzle for grooming. But he won't hold his body still. He thrashes like a fish. I'm gonna end up having to give him his shots myself. He is the sweetest most loving dog, unless he's being groomed or at the vet. Then a demon takes over.

I don't recommend doing the shots yourself, you need to contact a trainer, it's not a joke.

[gracielove]

A dog that reacts like this is usually fearful. Do you take him for walks? Socialization at an early age is really important especially for a dog that has anxiety issues.
Finding someone who knows how to deal with small dog temperament issues isn't always easy. Many trainers are accustomed to working with large dogs. Just be selective if that is the route you take.
Since he trusts you, getting him used to combing at home is really important. If he resists then do short sessions. You may have to trim any matts in his fur so you don't have to do a lot of tugging and pulling. No Yorkie is going to accept grooming happily by a stranger that is not groomed at home first.
Try continually taking him out and exposing him to unfamiliar places. Take him to the groomers regularly just so he becomes accustomed to the sights and sounds. Isolating him will only encourage his fear. You don't want to push him too fast but he must slowly be encouraged to realize he is safe in other places and situations. Just take it very slowly.
Some dogs have genetic temperament problems. I hope that is not the case with your little one. It would take a breed expert to determine that. For now just give him lots of love and try getting him slowly introduced to the outside world and other people.
As for his shots....I don't understand why your vet didn't know how to restrain a small dog for the few minutes necessary to do some injections......unless you didn't want them done just then. I have taken both feral cats and dogs for shots. I always work with the dogs before their first trip to the vet. They respond much more quickly than feral cats. It's not a pleasant experience but it can be done. There are a few different ways to restrain them without anyone getting hurt. A muzzle and a small blanket are usually all that is necessary for a small animal. If you can't watch that is OK. Wait in the waiting room.
It's not going to hurt him to wait on the shots but if you are going to take him out he really should have them. You need a vet who will work with you on this.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Opium88

And scott and i are the only people in the entire world that he trusts. It sucks...Cause if I don't know what's wrong or how to fix it, he's gonna be s**t out of luck. And I don't know much of anything.

Then all the more reason to take him for training. I understand that you are rightfully worried but you have not yet filled us in on what if any formal obedience training, socialization you have done and how you have introduced him to grooming at home.

[Opium88]

I take him on walks with my other two and also my friend Keith comes with his Yorkie-poo. We go to dog parks about twice a week on average and he does great with most other dogs. I've done this continually since he was 5 months old. He's 2.5 now. I did have him in training when he was about a year old, ...he listens really well and knows his commands and he's a really good dog. I've only found one groomer who will actually work with him all the way through to the end, with or without him being sedated. Every other groomer refuses. And sherry ( the one groomer I work with now) also comes to my home to groom him, and I help her the best I can. We both end up scratched up and it's a nightmare. But I don't trust anyone else with him . At home he will let me wash him now. That took some work, but he no longer fights me. I have to use a washcloth on his face or he fights me. He's scared of water on his face. He let's me brush him everywhere but his face. Then he bites at the brush. I work on it all the time with him. As violent as he gets, he actually has gotten a lot better from when I first got him. When I bought him (secondhand) the previous owners had taken him to get a puppy cut right before I picked him up (without asking me if I wanted that) and the groomer EMBEDDED a little bow tie on him and I don't know what they did to him, but he has never ever forgotten it, because he has hated grooming ( and now vet visits as well) ever since. If he's sleepy I can sneak scissors and trim his face a little bit, but after a few quick snips he will start snapping at the scissors. He will barely tolerate clippers, but the sound of scissors sets him off. Then once it's all done he pranced around like he's a stud and it was his idea. He'll even give sherry kisses like he forgives her. We've made a lot of progress with him, but not nearly enough to make it easier on him. I sit by him and pet him with scissors in sessions , hoping hell get used to it and calm down about it. But the minute he feels his hair actually move from it, he loses it. You can go through and read the posts I've posted about this from before. Most of my posts are about toby. Believe me, I try my damnedest to find what works with him, and to work through his fears. I socialize him. I do this with all my dogs. He's the only one with these issues.

[Opium88]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

You really need to contact and trainer and or behaviorist.

Also, I've looked into this, but I'm going to have to come up with a lot of money I don't have right now for that. Because I've had four different dog trainers meet him and they've all said it would take extensive work with him and they all wanted a good amount each session. I don't make as much as I used to so that isn't an option right now. Between all the training I've already done I've spent close to $2000. Just on him. But yes, I think a behavioral specialist would be best cause training hasn't helped that problem at all.

[Opium88]

And while I've given the dogs in my past all their shots, so I am used to doing it, that was also on bigger dogs. Bigger dogs that didn't twist and fight , so I'm not wanting to do it with toby.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Opium88

And while I've given the dogs in my past all their shots, so I am used to doing it, that was also on bigger dogs. Bigger dogs that didn't twist and fight , so I'm not wanting to do it with toby.

Vet's techs and assistant's should know how to restrain him because it is learned in school if they don't you might need to try a different vet. It is also very important how the vaccine is handled and where it is put to make sure it even works just one little mess up could effect the vaccine.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Opium88

Also, I've looked into this, but I'm going to have to come up with a lot of money I don't have right now for that. Because I've had four different dog trainers meet him and they've all said it would take extensive work with him and they all wanted a good amount each session. I don't make as much as I used to so that isn't an option right now. Between all the training I've already done I've spent close to $2000. Just on him. But yes, I think a behavioral specialist would be best cause training hasn't helped that problem at all.

A dog acting like that is not a happy dog but a stressed dog so its really important you help him by looking at a behaviorist.