Vet dilema....what would you do?

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I think you are over reacting.

I'm sure it was not a smack hard enough to hurt him, most likely more of a tap with one or two fingers, just enough to let him know this is not acceptable behavior.

I propbably would have done the same thing if I were trying to give one of mine a shot and they were barking and growling.

It's called discipline, and highly recommended, because if you ignore the behavior, it will only get worse.

I was going to say before we hang the vet out to dry was it tap or was it smack? I mean I myself have been like oh stop it and gave a little tap. I mean a tap that is of no harm what so ever, if it was a smack then yea I would have went off, can you please clarify?
Not you Jeanie I mean the OP.

[daylee]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

I totally agree. If a doctor ever laid a hand on one of my children in an innapropriate way I would just freak out... the same should be applied to a vet with your pup. These individuals are there to care for the well being of your animals, not to lay a hand on them in a negative way. That's ridiculous, don't take your baby back to him. There was probably a reason that your baby was growling at him, you know they say that dogs can sense evil lol. Would you go back to a doctor that hit you?

I totally agree! Find a new vet!

[Lolli_lah]

I agree with anyone asking on how exactly the dog was "smacked". Because I don't think it was a smack as in, he really smacked it hard. Because you would have definitely said something if the vet had done that. Because that would be abuse..

But just a tap, that's not so bad. Because what he was doing was getting the dogs attention to stop being angry and be curious what the vet wants. I clap my hands really loud sometimes to get Lolli's attention when she is going crazy barking at people walking in the back yard. Sometimes I grab her by her face hair to get her to look at me without looking away and say NO BARKING.

It would be the same if I tapped her nose and said 'stop'.

But like others said we don't know what exactly the vet did, if he really smacked the dog or if it was more of a tap..

[Miss Behavin]

You say your dog flipped out, followed by "lol" it was too funny". Viciousness, nno matter the size of the dog, is NOT humerous and should NOT be tolerated. A tap on the nose was warranted. I am quite new here, but notice many people are far too tolerant of bad behavior b/c of the dogs' size. Would you be LOL-ing had it been a 100 pound Husky?

If your dog displays aggression once, he's likely to display aggression twice (even if he's "the sweetest dog" out there most of the time. And, let me assure you, if he turns on someone in the general public, the consequence will be far more severe.

People who tolerate viciousness in their small dogs b/c they think it's cute are abundant, and it is NOT adorable to others ( just as someone's "adorable" bratty child is not). Your vetrinarian did not overstep his boundries.

[KimberlySRN]

Originally Posted by KelMchel

Ok, so this morning I take Rylie to the vet for his worming, and last shots for now....This is only our second time with this new vet. Well.....Rylie tripped out lol he was all fierce and growling and even snapped, something he doesnt do! I mean he does the normal barking at strangers and stuff but this was too funny. Anyway as Rylie was barking the guy (vet) smacks Rylie on the nose...... is this normal? Have you all had this happen before? I was shocked.....I didnt know what to say? As he did it he said oh stop that....hmmm do I need a new vet or am I over reacting?

I don't think it was right of the vet to smack your Riley, but I also don't find it very funny for a dog to be growling and snapping. I understand that he was probably stressed out and was acting out because of it...but I still don't see that being too funny. JMHO

[KelMchel]

Wow, I never imagined I would get the responses I have on this post.....lets see, Im trying to remember some of the posts......as for the "smack" he didnt use 2 fingers, it was more like 4 fingers and he "popped" Rylie on the nose, enough for Ryile to sorta cower a little? I guess you could say. As for someone saying that I would have spoken up if it had been hard, in all honesty, I guess you would have to know my personality, Im a bit shy, or as my grandfather used to say "backwards". I did not know what to say? And as we are standing there, he laughs and says, thats why they pay me the big bucks, to get barked at.....I guess Im one of the people I used to think was silly for loving their baby so much, this little boy is a part of my family and if I over reacted, oh well I guess I did, but I just felt it was a little inappropriate, I thought that spanking or smacking a dog left the wrong impression on an animal? I dont know Rylie to ever be afraid of me....so I would smack him......anyway, thanks so much for the replies

[katy-yorkie]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I think you are over reacting.

I'm sure it was not a smack hard enough to hurt him, most likely more of a tap with one or two fingers, just enough to let him know this is not acceptable behavior.

I propbably would have done the same thing if I were trying to give one of mine a shot and they were barking and growling.

It's called discipline, and highly recommended, because if you ignore the behavior, it will only get worse.

I would be shocked if my vet did this but you want your dog to be comfortable going to the vet, not barking at him. They are a lot like small children, you need to teach/discipline them when they are young. I have issues with one of mine and as much as it kills me I have to teach her what is acceptable behavior. She doesn't get hit but she is learning what is acceptable.

[KelMchel]

Originally Posted by KimberlySRN

I don't think it was right of the vet to smack your Riley, but I also don't find it very funny for a dog to be growling and snapping. I understand that he was probably stressed out and was acting out because of it...but I still don't see that being too funny. JMHO

Well I didnt mean that I was roflol....I just found it cute because it so isnt Rylie....he is a sweetie and loves people so it literally shocked me and I found it sorta cute! Didnt mean to imply that I condone his snapping at people, he is only 4 months old.....

[AprilLove]

Your vet was out of line. Period.
A professional would have told you (his owner) that that was unacceptable behavior and to get your dog under control. The vet could have refused to treat, examine, etc, your dog until you had him under control, or he could have asked you to leave. He did not have to hit him. Because it is your job and responsibility to teach your dog manners, not the vets.

I would get another vet. Doesn't matter whether the tap was a light tap or not, he should not have tried to discipline unless he was in fear for him self, which doesn't seem to be the case.

bottom line, it is your choice where you take your furbaby for care. But it is also your responsibility to train, socialize and raise him to be a good canine citizen

[KelMchel]

Originally Posted by Miss Behavin

You say your dog flipped out, followed by "lol" it was too funny". Viciousness, nno matter the size of the dog, is NOT humerous and should NOT be tolerated. A tap on the nose was warranted. I am quite new here, but notice many people are far too tolerant of bad behavior b/c of the dogs' size. Would you be LOL-ing had it been a 100 pound Husky?

If your dog displays aggression once, he's likely to display aggression twice (even if he's "the sweetest dog" out there most of the time. And, let me assure you, if he turns on someone in the general public, the consequence will be far more severe.

People who tolerate viciousness in their small dogs b/c they think it's cute are abundant, and it is NOT adorable to others ( just as someone's "adorable" bratty child is not). Your vetrinarian did not overstep his boundries.

I always ask myself "Kelly, are you SURE you want to post this on this forum" and again I said yes this time, surely I see now I shouldnt have....I see why so many are run off of this forum, you come here LOOKING for advice and you get torn apart. Thank you for your words of advice on Rylies behavior, first of all, I dont tolerate this behavior, it is the FIRST time ever he has done this, I believe that someone on here said perhaps it was the fact of WHERE he was and perhaps even he remembered that last time he was there, he got poked in the back with a very sharp thing that left him hurting several days....I for one believe that animals are very smart and that they can and do remember things. I want to thank those of you that felt that vet was a bit harsh.....I also want to say that this might be my last post, I dont come on this forum to have my feelings hurt, or have people say ugly things, true, your opinion is your opinion but sometimes that opinion shouldnt be spoken......

[KimberlySRN]

Originally Posted by KelMchel

Well I didnt mean that I was roflol....I just found it cute because it so isnt Rylie....he is a sweetie and loves people so it literally shocked me and I found it sorta cute! Didnt mean to imply that I condone his snapping at people, he is only 4 months old.....

I don't think it is funny any time a dog of any size/age shows aggression by snapping...because these little/young dogs turn into older/large dogs that show the same behavior that was once cute but isn't so much anymore. Riley is young but now is the time to nip that behavior in the bum (not saying you aren't, as you said it was the first time) As I said I wouldn't be happy with the vet, as this might make Riley afraid to go back. The vet should have allowed you to comfort him and calm him down as it clearly looks as though he was scared.

[KimberlySRN]

Originally Posted by AprilLove

Your vet was out of line. Period.
A professional would have told you (his owner) that that was unacceptable behavior and to get your dog under control. The vet could have refused to treat, examine, etc, your dog until you had him under control, or he could have asked you to leave. He did not have to hit him. Because it is your job and responsibility to teach your dog manners, not the vets.

I would get another vet. Doesn't matter whether the tap was a light tap or not, he should not have tried to discipline unless he was in fear for him self, which doesn't seem to be the case.

bottom line, it is your choice where you take your furbaby for care. But it is also your responsibility to train, socialize and raise him to be a good canine citizen

[Miss Behavin]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

I totally agree. If a doctor ever laid a hand on one of my children in an innapropriate way I would just freak out... the same should be applied to a vet with your pup. These individuals are there to care for the well being of your animals, not to lay a hand on them in a negative way. That's ridiculous, don't take your baby back to him. There was probably a reason that your baby was growling at him, you know they say that dogs can sense evil lol. Would you go back to a doctor that hit you?

I don't know how old you are, but this is called a false argument, and just wrong on so many levels. You are comparing apples to oranges. Dogs are not children (do your kids urinate on paper, in the lawn, or the corner of your living room?). Dogs do not learn, ration, or reason as children.
Of course you wouldn't take a kid, no matter how bratty, back to a Dr that abuses them! This is not the same situation.
I have not been here (on the forums) very long. But, it seems far too many people tolerate, accept, or encourage bad behavior simply b/c of size. What's cute to "mommy" is not cute to others.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by KelMchel

I always ask myself "Kelly, are you SURE you want to post this on this forum" and again I said yes this time, surely I see now I shouldnt have....I see why so many are run off of this forum, you come here LOOKING for advice and you get torn apart. Thank you for your words of advice on Rylies behavior, first of all, I dont tolerate this behavior, it is the FIRST time ever he has done this, I believe that someone on here said perhaps it was the fact of WHERE he was and perhaps even he remembered that last time he was there, he got poked in the back with a very sharp thing that left him hurting several days....I for one believe that animals are very smart and that they can and do remember things. I want to thank those of you that felt that vet was a bit harsh.....I also want to say that this might be my last post, I dont come on this forum to have my feelings hurt, or have people say ugly things, true, your opinion is your opinion but sometimes that opinion shouldnt be spoken......

Dont leave. Sometimes you have to have a thick skin on here. I dont care if your vet thought he was disciplining your dog he didnt have a right or good reason to do what he did. Its not the vets job to discipline your dog.

[Miss Behavin]

Originally Posted by KelMchel

I always ask myself "Kelly, are you SURE you want to post this on this forum" and again I said yes this time, surely I see now I shouldnt have....I see why so many are run off of this forum, you come here LOOKING for advice and you get torn apart. Thank you for your words of advice on Rylies behavior, first of all, I dont tolerate this behavior, it is the FIRST time ever he has done this, I believe that someone on here said perhaps it was the fact of WHERE he was and perhaps even he remembered that last time he was there, he got poked in the back with a very sharp thing that left him hurting several days....I for one believe that animals are very smart and that they can and do remember things. I want to thank those of you that felt that vet was a bit harsh.....I also want to say that this might be my last post, I dont come on this forum to have my feelings hurt, or have people say ugly things, true, your opinion is your opinion but sometimes that opinion shouldnt be spoken......

Sooo, b/c I expressed my opinion - which you came here for - I happen to think you are wrong and as such, expressed dissent, I am hurting your feelings? I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I voiced my opinion in a cordial, well-expressed manner. I'll say it again: viciousness, no matter the circumstance, is not funny. Get your puppy in obedience training ASAP if you would like to preclude such situations in the future