Quote:
Originally Posted by Britster  Self explanatory, how is your dog at the vet?
Jackson completely shuts down. We pull up and he immediately slinks his head down, but obliges when I put his leash on and he will jump out of the car voluntarily then proceeds to try and avoid the door as much as humanely possible.
He always keeps his ears back and tail under, and when we sit in the waiting room, he hides under the bench. Once someone tries to touch him, or pick him up, or whatever, he expresses his anal glands he is so scared. He lets them do whatever to him, but it's almost because he's frozen and just totally shut down. He never bites or shows any signs of aggression.
But to say the least it's very heart breaking to watch him at he vet and be so insecure and terribly frightened.
How are your dogs at the vet? |
Oh dear. I know that is a heartbreak for sure. All the pups I have had from pups have been really good at the vets, sometimes too good... lol
Magic walks in tail wagging happily, trusting of course that everyone will ooh and awh over him and give him treats. If he is ignored and I am not watchfull he will put his two paws on the tall counter and bark at the receptionship to pay attention to his Lordship.
He doesn't much like the slippery exam table that is electric and goes up and down. And I usually need to distract him while we take blood or he is given a needle. But a treat and he is happy again!
Razzle is always in his carrier when I take him into the office for a vet appt. Once out in the exam room he is very happy fellow too. Kisses for all, and too much wiggling going on. RAzzle submits to exam, tail down for the needle or blood draw, but oh how he loves to be touched by Dr Jack.
Zoey, was always scared. She I got at seven months old, and never had from young puppyhood, my many visits to the vets office just to say hi, get a treat, and go onto a play date of some nature. She would hide under my legs, especially if there were other dogs in the waiting room. That was hard to do as she was a big girl, and I have short legs
But once we went into the exam room she was pretty good. Liked to say Hi to the doc. Much quieter and easier on the exam table.
I don't know but I guess I suspect if I had had her from a young pup, she might have been different all around. Although I was told by two behavioural specialists that she was "genetically" wrong in the head. But that is another story.
I think the best we can do for our pups, is to be supportive and calm. Kind of find a place of peace with in us, as we take them to the vets.
I am not sure Brit, but would it be too much to take him there, on the way to something else exciting to do? And have the receptionist ooh and aah over him and give him a treat, and then you leave?