Aggression at vet but fine at home

frash

We got a rescue collie-mix at the weekend. He's around 5 and is the most chilled out dog around the house - great with the kids and no sign of any aggression.
He had his booster shot at the rescue centre on the day we collected him & I think maybe as it was out in the open & he was distracted there wasn't much of a reaction out of him.

Anyway last night the whole family went to the vet for him to get micro-chipped but as soon as we went into the room he was hiding behind me and didn't want to go near the vet. The vet gave him treats to ease the mood but eventually we had to get my wife & kids to leave the room as he became agitated.

He had to be muzzled and held firmly by me while he got the shot.

Afterwards he was grand again - more treats & a rub from the vet.
Back out to the waiting room & happy to see the kids again.

Vet said it's not uncommon & wouldn't really base anything on it when he's fine in the home.

Anyone any thoughts apart from the obvious that he must have been in a nasty situation with a vet in the past.

Thanks

p.s. vet was lovely & came recommended in this thread

Arbiter of Good Taste

frash wrote: »

We got a rescue collie-mix at the weekend. He's around 5 and is the most chilled out dog around the house - great with the kids and no sign of any aggression.
He had his booster shot at the rescue centre on the day we collected him & I think maybe as it was out in the open & he was distracted there wasn't much of a reaction out of him.

Anyway last night the whole family went to the vet for him to get micro-chipped but as soon as we went into the room he was hiding behind me and didn't want to go near the vet. The vet gave him treats to ease the mood but eventually we had to get my wife & kids to leave the room as he became agitated.

He had to be muzzled and held firmly by me while he got the shot.

Afterwards he was grand again - more treats & a rub from the vet.
Back out to the waiting room & happy to see the kids again.

Vet said it's not uncommon & wouldn't really base anything on it when he's fine in the home.

Anyone any thoughts apart from the obvious that he must have been in a nasty situation with a vet in the past.

Thanks

p.s. vet was lovely & came recommended in this thread

I wouldn't worry. One of ours gets very upset going to the vet and snapped at him the last time. Normally she wouldn't hurt a fly.

When I was a child we had a jack Russell, the gentlest little thing. But if we walked past the vet's she would go crazy, trying to run in to attack him.

Dogs don't like vets. Similar to how humans hate the dentist

stoneill

Pets rarely have a nice experience in a vets and associate the the environment with a place they just don't want to be!

BabysCoffee

Our dog hates the vet too.....does any dog like it?!

georgewickstaff

We have a German Shepherd. Something almost identical happened and our now X vet offered to put the dog down for us. We couldn't believe it. We got so freaked out by the offer we had a dog behaviourist come round and have a look. Said he was a good dog!

Your vet seemed to handle the dog very well.

kylith

BabysCoffee wrote: »

Our dog hates the vet too.....does any dog like it?!

Tegan did. I used to go into the vet occasionally and just sit in the waiting room and feed treats, and get the staff to say hi, and if it was quiet I'd bring them into the surgery and up on the table for rubs and more treats. Tegan used to drag me into the vet's and get really stressed if we walked past without going in. It's definitely worth the effort.

cocker5

OP I wouldn’t worry too much this is quiet common with dogs.

My dog is extremely fearful of the vet.. while he doesn’t growl (he is a total baby) he gets very nervy, throws himself off of the counter and jumps 10 foot every time she tries to go near his neck… he know.. he just know.

What I found did helped a little was I no longer lift him onto the table, the vet examines him on the floor and also injects him there etc and he’s a bit better with that. Although he is still very upset by the whole thing.

I have had dogs as a child who were amazing dogs no aggression at al.. until hey went to the vets then they were possessed and had to be muzzled etc… but all other times they were perfect.

It’s just one of these things OP… and fair play to you for giving a 5 year old rescue a new home!! He is very lucky I’m sure!

Rubberchikken

i think most dogs hate the vets. kinda like the dentist with humans:)
our rescue westie is an absolute dote, but does she drag her heels when she realises the door she's entering is the vet's. and they're absolutely brilliant too.

carav10

Wouldn't worry about it. One of mine is the best natured dog normally but step into the Vets and she turns into this growling, barking, hiding creature, especially when she sees my Vet. He gave her a fright standing up suddenly as a young pup (he's a big man) and not sure she ever forgot. The last visit was the worst ever, put a muzzle on her and we both just laughed it off. Poor dog...she just doesn't like the vets, think of all the smells that are in there that must affect their poor noses as well. And it's rarely pleasant why they go there.

Might be better to limit the people going with your dog to the vet the next time, the less excitement and fuss made, the better.

Remember years ago, we had a springer spaniel when I was growing up, and as soon as we entered the Vets, she would turn around and sit facing the door in a silent protest. They all have their own way of expressing their displeasure....

frash

Thanks for all the replies - glad nobody is saying to worry about it.

Agree that the next time I'll just go on my own.
Maybe time it better too so that it's after a big walk (although I'm hoping to bring him running too so that would be even better). This time was just after work and he hadn't had a walk since before lunch.

my3cents

OP if this becomes too much of an issue then you can reduce it a bit by doing any further yearly injections yourself. We have a couple of huge dogs that are OK at the vet but will not get into the car (we have to borrow a van) the vet knows this and just sells us the injections. We try and get them into the vet every second year for a checkup when the vet does the injections. The vet can show you how to do the injections.

awanderer

I do not know if my reply will be useful at all or if my 'solution' only applies to our dog but just in case : my dog loves going to our usual vet. However one day we couldn't go to that vet and brought him to another. The dog, who is usually very trusting, seemed to completely freak out. While the vet went to look for a muzzle, the vet nurse came in: the dog wasn't stressed by her at all. With our authorisation, she dealt with the dog (it was only ear cleaning and vaccination)who seemed delighted with the experience. We do not think there was anything wrong with the vet himself but our dog if left to himself would run towards 100 % of women to give them a 'chance' to pet him. While he really adores some men, there are about ten to fifteen percent of them that he either completely ignores or is even wary of. It is as if he was unable to associate women with anything negative while with some men he is somehow looking for signs before fully trusting them.

As said, it mighn't apply to your dog at all but with ours, we have reached the conclusion that a female vet is a safer bet for our dog.

Another possibility, if your vet has been recommanded by the rescue you got your dog from, is that your dog had a negative experience with that vet (was he for example spayed by him?)

I do not pretend to be in anyway a dog specialist and certainly do not imply that female vets are better than male ones. I just believe that sometimes, the answer to a dog problem is so simple we do not think about it.

CelticRambler

frash wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies - glad nobody is saying to worry about it.

It is something to worry about, and it's nonsense to think that "all dogs hate vets". They don't, no more than it would be to say all vets hate dogs.

There's obviously a problem and if you don't takes steps to manage it now, how is the vet supposed to carry out a proper examination when your dog has something wrong? Well, it'll mean muzzling him, and maybe sedation or anesthesia. What about if he needs treatment every few days - a dressing change, for example?

The way to deal with this is take him to the clinic as often as you can now, so that he meets the staff (and other clients/animals) without always being spiked with needle or hoisted up onto a table. Get him (and the rest of the family) used to the fact that going to the vet's is no more or less of a trauma than visiting any other place.

frash

awanderer wrote: »

I do not know if my reply will be useful at all or if my 'solution' only applies to our dog but just in case : my dog loves going to our usual vet. However one day we couldn't go to that vet and brought him to another. The dog, who is usually very trusting, seemed to completely freak out. While the vet went to look for a muzzle, the vet nurse came in: the dog wasn't stressed by her at all. With our authorisation, she dealt with the dog (it was only ear cleaning and vaccination)who seemed delighted with the experience. We do not think there was anything wrong with the vet himself but our dog if left to himself would run towards 100 % of women to give them a 'chance' to pet him. While he really adores some men, there are about ten to fifteen percent of them that he either completely ignores or is even wary of. It is as if he was unable to associate women with anything negative while with some men he is somehow looking for signs before fully trusting them.

As said, it mighn't apply to your dog at all but with ours, we have reached the conclusion that a female vet is a safer bet for our dog.

Another possibility, if your vet has been recommanded by the rescue you got your dog from, is that your dog had a negative experience with that vet (was he for example spayed by him?)

I do not pretend to be in anyway a dog specialist and certainly do not imply that female vets are better than male ones. I just believe that sometimes, the answer to a dog problem is so simple we do not think about it.

Thanks - will keep that in mind

frash

CelticRambler wrote: »

It is something to worry about, and it's nonsense to think that "all dogs hate vets". They don't, no more than it would be to say all vets hate dogs.

There's obviously a problem and if you don't takes steps to manage it now, how is the vet supposed to carry out a proper examination when your dog has something wrong? Well, it'll mean muzzling him, and maybe sedation or anesthesia. What about if he needs treatment every few days - a dressing change, for example?

The way to deal with this is take him to the clinic as often as you can now, so that he meets the staff (and other clients/animals) without always being spiked with needle or hoisted up onto a table. Get him (and the rest of the family) used to the fact that going to the vet's is no more or less of a trauma than visiting any other place.

Sorry I should have been clearer.
Yes I'll still be worried about how he will be the next time he needs to go to the vet and think I will start 'popping in' from time to time.
I guess I meant that how he reacted in the vets hopefully shouldn't mean that he'll start reacting like that in other situations.

muddypaws

my3cents wrote: »

OP if this becomes too much of an issue then you can reduce it a bit by doing any further yearly injections yourself. We have a couple of huge dogs that are OK at the vet but will not get into the car (we have to borrow a van) the vet knows this and just sells us the injections. We try and get them into the vet every second year for a checkup when the vet does the injections. The vet can show you how to do the injections.

This is illegal and the vet could be struck off. OP, the dog needs to see the vet for any boosters as they will check temp, heart rate etc to ensure your dog is fit to be vaccinated. Vaccinating an ill dog is pointless and could be dangerous.

The advice from other posters about taking him in, treating him etc is spot on. I took an 8 month old puppy to my vet this morning just for socialisation, he had lots of treats and fuss and thinks its just the best place in the world.

maggiepip

My collie snaps at the vet before a finger is even layed apon her, she absolutely hates the vet. She wouldn't hurt a fly at home

tk123

One of mine is fine at the vets - sits up on a chair in the waiting room with everyone talking to her and loves it. The other had a bad experince with a male vet when he was a pup and will generally be terrified to have a male vet near him! We're very lucky that we have a fantastic (female) vet who knows him at this stage and all his little foibles so is very patient and understanding - she takes his bloods in the examination room with me rather than separate him from me which freaks him out, gets him in and out for xrays as quickly as possible so he's not stressing out in a create etc etc. If it's an emergency and we're seeing a different vet I'll know if he needs to be muzzled. He'd generally be fine with the girls but a male might be too scary for him and it'll be less stress for everyone to have the muzzle on - a muzzle means loads of treats and praise before it goes on and after it comes off so it's not a bad thing for him - he just relaxes with it on.

So...while socialising him at the vets is a great idea getting him used to a muzzle wouldn't be a bad idea either. You could maybe try an anxiety vest too - I always put one on Bailey if he's staying in for xrays and the staff have confirmed it makes a huge difference for him. I found over time he's mellowed out in the vets because he's spent so much time there. He'll be fine in the waiting room doing tricks for everyone and he'll even wag his tail at the vet out there but keeps his head tucked into me in the examination room. It can take a while for them to get over a bad experince especially if they were in pain at the time. He still hasn't forgiven the owner of our practice for examining his legs when he was in pain - 5 and a half years ago!!

ShaShaBear

My first collie boy LOVED the vets. Vets meant lots of people that touched him. And he was an absolute hooer for human affection. Even walking him in to have him put to sleep, he wagged his whole bum as best he could to let the vet and nurse know he loved them, and they got loads of kisses before doing the deed. Poor nurse cried along with us because he was just so super sweet.

Opie H.A.T.E.S the vets. He hates everyone in it. Soon as you go through those doors, he starts back pedalling. He had a horrific experience with the vet when we took him to get him neutered (to the same vets that put our last dog down, because we were happy with how Shadow was dealt with) and has been terrified of them since. We had Shadow from he was 6 weeks old and vets always meant nice treats, belly rubs and lots of sloppy kisses so he never had any negative association.

We're working with Opie at the minute by doing the same as suggested. Going, letting him calm down, then treating and leaving. Just in any sort of attempt to have him believe that bad things don't always happen there. But some dogs don't like them. A relative has an unspayed female who she's had from 8 weeks who has only EVER been to the vet for boosters and is still terrified!

Dubl07

My last dog was looked after by an excellent veterinary practice (also on that thread, Frash) but he was always really scared despite them being wonderful guys. The current dog is with another vet practice recommended by a friend (also on thread) and is currently totally fine in the waiting room but quite reluctant to go into the treatment room. We've been going in and out of the waiting room quite often for worming tablets and treats though, so it's familiar territory whereas the treatment room equals needles and stuff.

Another thing that strikes me is that their sense of smell is so keen. I sometimes wonder if a previous dog's fear or pain pheromones might affect them or make them wary. Perhaps first appointment of the day in a well ventilated room would be helpful for a really scared dog? Adaptil is great for soothing some dogs as well.

frash

Dubl07 wrote: »

My last dog was looked after by an excellent veterinary practice (also on that thread, Frash) but he was always really scared despite them being wonderful guys. The current dog is with another vet practice recommended by a friend (also on thread) and is currently totally fine in the waiting room but quite reluctant to go into the treatment room. We've been going in and out of the waiting room quite often for worming tablets and treats though, so it's familiar territory whereas the treatment room equals needles and stuff.

Another thing that strikes me is that their sense of smell is so keen. I sometimes wonder if a previous dog's fear or pain pheromones might affect them or make them wary. Perhaps first appointment of the day in a well ventilated room would be helpful for a really scared dog? Adaptil is great for soothing some dogs as well.

Interesting that your dog was afraid in the same vet.
My wife did think that maybe he'd picked up a smell of fear from the place as it's quite a small room.
The vet was a lovely guy & came recommended but I wonder if I should try another practice just to rule that out?

aonb

in 17 years of excellent care and gentle handling, my old boy **HATED** any vet. Having a thermometer stuck up his bum was just something he could not get past The only time he ever had to be muzzled was on the examination table. Fine with the vet before the table, fine afterwards. In 17 years of treats etc. it made zero difference to him, no matter how many times he was brought to the vet - and he had many many trips down through the years. The solution was, that he always had to have a soft muzzle put on...

I agree with what some other posters said earlier re the SMELL in vets... some dogs just seem to react to it the minute they walk in the door.

My younger dog, who is the gentlest dog, once he is up on the exam table, puts his head under my armpit - total fear, even though he had only been to the vet for vacc's or checkups. He recently had a cruciate ligament replaced, doesnt HATE the vets - just scared scared scared!

Dubl07

frash wrote: »

Interesting that your dog was afraid in the same vet.
My wife did think that maybe he'd picked up a smell of fear from the place as it's quite a small room.
The vet was a lovely guy & came recommended but I wonder if I should try another practice just to rule that out?

Sorry to confuse you. My first dog was afraid in a different vet (Argyle and Bainbridge) to yours but they were quite rightly recommended by others on your initial thread. They're good guys and I'm sure the other recommended vets are equally great. I didn't have the tools to help him relax - it was before the internet, positive reinforcement and Adaptil came along.

If you personally get on well with your current vet I'd be inclined to try visiting with treats as often as you can. Put some Adaptil on a bandana as well. As mentioned by tk you can also start getting your dog comfortable with a muzzle. You and your dog are only beginning to know each other so he mightn't realise you're all-powerful and protecting just yet.