Bad boy at the vet!

[Rosy1013]

Max is generally such a sweet, loving dog. I just don't know how to make him behave better at the vet and groomer's. Today we went to get his yearly rabies shot. He panicked and tried to bite the vet so many times she had to put a muzzle on him! Every single vet, groomer, or boarder who has handled Max has described him to us as "feisty." This is was the worst though.

Any suggestions on what I should do? How can I train him to not bite when his biting is only an issue during extreme stress?

[gracielove]

There are all natural herbal remedies available for your pet that work well. The one I have experience with is called rescue remedy. It comes as a liquid with a dropper. Some people put it in their water and others directly in the mouth. It really calms highly excitable animals. My sister gave it to her two cats that are the most nervous creatures I have ever seen when exposed to unusual circumstances. She had to travel 1000 miles with those cats in her car. They were quiet and didn't get scared or anything. Usually they would howl all the way to the vet without being treated first.

It is always best to expose a young animal to the vet and groomer as much as possible throughout the first year so they don't freak out when suddenly taken to a strange place. Some high strung animals never adjust so Rescue Remedy is a good option. I would recommend trying it ahead of time so you know how much to use and how your pet will react. They make a few different types for animals and humans. It's all natural and you do not need a prescription.

[Rosy1013]

Oh wow, I've never heard of that. Thanks, I will look into it! Max is about a year and a half, and he's been boarded twice, to the vet about 8 times, and groomed about 5. He just still hates it all. So I may have to try this!

[pstinard]

Each dog is different. Our Bella whines nervously on the way to the vet, but once she is there, she showers the vet and the technicians with Yorkie kisses (and the vet and techs also shower Bella with love and praise). You might try bringing along a high value treat and give him treats and praise all during the process. He might learn that going to the vet is a pleasant experience. (Putting a muzzle on Max is just going to make the experience more unpleasant for him, so I wouldn't do that except as a last resort for the safety of the staff.)

[Rosy1013]

I agree, the vet tech didn't ask, just told me she would muzzle him. I was sort of shocked, no one has ever done that before. But I've never seen him trying to bite before, so I didn't argue. I'm wondering if I should find a different vet, or if Max would be the same everywhere.

[pstinard]

Here's a link for the Rescue Remedy mentioned in Gracielove's post: Rescue Remedy Pet Calming Aid .

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Rosy1013

I agree, the vet tech didn't ask, just told me she would muzzle him. I was sort of shocked, no one has ever done that before. But I've never seen him trying to bite before, so I didn't argue. I'm wondering if I should find a different vet, or if Max would be the same everywhere.

It could be the vet. Bella's vet and vet techs are all female, and they shower her with love. If your vet is more cold and clinical, that could have a negative effect. How is Max at the groomer?

[Rosy1013]

Well he apparently was terrible at the first one we tried. She said he would be calmer if I were not in the room, so I didn't witness it. Max was shaved way too closely by her, he even bled a little. Of course, we never went back.

The second groomer also said he was hard to handle, even requiring an extra hour to get the job done. I understood though, he had such a bad experience prior. But I could tell Steph was good to him, and she's the only one we use now. She's told me he improves every time, so at least he's making progress there.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Rosy1013

Well he apparently was terrible at the first one we tried. She said he would be calmer if I were not in the room, so I didn't witness it. Max was shaved way too closely by her, he even bled a little. Of course, we never went back.

The second groomer also said he was hard to handle, even requiring an extra hour to get the job done. I understood though, he had such a bad experience prior. But I could tell Steph was good to him, and she's the only one we use now. She's told me he improves every time, so at least he's making progress there.

It's good news that you have an understanding groomer and that Max is improving. For the vet, I'd try the Rescue Remedy and bring along treats (or change vets if you think your vet is too stern).

[Rosy1013]

Thank you, I will try that!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Rosy1013

Max is generally such a sweet, loving dog. I just don't know how to make him behave better at the vet and groomer's. Today we went to get his yearly rabies shot. He panicked and tried to bite the vet so many times she had to put a muzzle on him! Every single vet, groomer, or boarder who has handled Max has described him to us as "feisty." This is was the worst though.

Any suggestions on what I should do? How can I train him to not bite when his biting is only an issue during extreme stress?

Is rabies require in your state yearly? At home to need to start touching everything like his paws and stuff to get him used to being examined and touched every where.

[Rosy1013]

It is required here yearly. Good advice about touching his paws more! Thanks!

[Britster]

In general, Jackson is a very well behaved good citizen. He's well behaved in public and is very good on vacations, in hotels, with people and dogs etc.

He is *terrified* of vets, groomers, etc. He does not get aggressive though so I think our issue is slightly different. Although maybe not -- the biting in your case sounds like it's likely fear-based but it's just shown in a different way. Jackson goes into flight mode where he just tries to get away from the situation or he just stands there and shakes and pants heavily.

He is very socialized, has been since a pup, so I think it's just his anxiety in these type of situations he obviously senses it's different or has something to fear. We tried sprays, Rescue Remedy, calming treats, etc. Nothing really worked to curb the anxiety. We tried Xanax first and that did nothing for him. Vet suggested Trazadone and it's been working great. It doesn't make him like "happy go lucky" or anything lol but it eases that anxiety enough to where he's not like in full blown panic mode anymore.

After some training and exposure, maybe you could speak to the vet about medications. We also found a vet that is really good with shy dogs... the office is very calming itself with spa music playing & a little water fountain in the lobby, non-slip floors, and they don't make Jackson get up on the table if he doesn't want and the vet will get on the floor with him to make him more comfortable. They also have diffusers plugged in from Adapatil that is supposed to create a calming sense.

[BayleighL]

Originally Posted by Rosy1013

Max is generally such a sweet, loving dog. I just don't know how to make him behave better at the vet and groomer's. Today we went to get his yearly rabies shot. He panicked and tried to bite the vet so many times she had to put a muzzle on him! Every single vet, groomer, or boarder who has handled Max has described him to us as "feisty." This is was the worst though.

Any suggestions on what I should do? How can I train him to not bite when his biting is only an issue during extreme stress?

Our pup is just two and is a one-and-only although we've had 2 dogs before. Somehow she knows when we are blocks from the vet's office and begins her little quiver. I found that she really disliked the slick vet table so I take her little dog bed with us to put on the table so she doesn't slip around and has her home-smell near. I tried her blanket first but that was still too slippery. Also, the vet comes into the room and talks to me and pets her and basically socializes her before beginning any exam. The thing she dislikes most is when the tech takes her temperature, so I adopted a reverse football hold so her head is nestled between my elbow and side so she can't see it coming! Our pup is not a nipper or biter so we have not had to deal with that but we had a previous dog who would and it turned out she had an eye-sight issue so it was defensive. I would recommend a few visits where nothing happens - just a walk through the office - and a treat here and there from a tech or vet and muzzling before any "invasive" treatment so it becomes routine. Letting him nip and then muzzling can become positive reinforcement. For grooming, we used an electric kids toothbrush to "pet" our pup so she got used to the buzzing without feeling threatened. She's not perfect, but she lets me groom her. Nail trimming is our little issue so I put her in an Outward Bound front pack and get it over with. She's slowly improving.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Rosy1013

It is required here yearly. Good advice about touching his paws more! Thanks!

I agree, great advice.

Do you work with him grooming at home? That helped Teddy a lot. He was bitey with me grooming when he had puppy coat. I gave him a chew bone to distract him while I gently groomed.

Eventually he got over it and didn't need the distractions.

I believe working on him at home on the counter, checking him daily from head to toe, acclimated him to being on a table for other people like the vet and techs to work on him. Talking helps too. I always tell the pups what I am doing, so they know keywords. I use those keywords at the vet's office.

Our first visit to the vet's office, the vet couldn't help himself and reached out to pet Teddy on the head at the end of the exam. At that time, Teddy was a bit of an imp and would use sparkling eyes and a look that said, "Come on, you know you want to pet me." Wham! Teddy snapped at him.

They put a note on the front of Teddy's chart: "Potential biter: Don't pet on head." I still have to remind everyone at the office, but we haven't had another incident.