Aggressive at the vet/groomer
I go to pick him up expected rave reviews and was shocked the first thing out the staffs mouth was you have a very aggressive dog there. The was also said by the groomer and the vet. They said they had to muzzle the dog and that this dog definatley knew what a muzzle was. I just about fell over. Now they did say that they put him thru alot shots, severe ear infection, and the grooming. They said he may have just had enough. He was great and happy when I picked him up and was great last nite. He did NOT like it when I put the medicine in his ear. I am actually scared to do it now and I know that it does not help the situation to be scared. Has anyone else ever had these bad reviews from the vet or groomer. BTW I was amazed at the difference before and after the groom. He does not even look like an OES anymore. Yes, I am sure that I got the same dog back. But I was not prepared for the huge change. Looks more like a greyhound or Lab now. |
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| HE MAY HAVE HAD , AND REMEMBER WELL A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE VET. SOME SHEEPIES ARE VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT BEING COMBED, MY ROSA FINDS IT VERY PAINFUL AND TRIES TO BITE ME IF I PULL HER FUR. I WOULDN'T BE TOO DISCOURAGED.
DO NOT SHOW FEAR WITH THE DOG, THEY DEFINETLY CAN SENSE FEAR AND WILL BECOME DOMINANT OVER YOU. |
| I would start with learning how to put on the muzzle when he is absolutely calm. He can wear it for awhile, then remove it when he is calm. Gradually build up this time so he learns muzzle is a good thing and will not hurt him. Treats afterward of course. Then start making trips to the vet just to get in the door and leave. Treats for being calm. Never treats to settle him down as that rewards bad behavior. Same thing at groomer.
At home same deal, muzzle goes on (good thing) and a brush stroke or two and remove. Medicine in ears, ets. When he starts remaining calm during all these stressful activities, muzzle is not put on at all. This could take a year to get him completely calm. You have no idea what all torture he endured in his previous life. It takes a good year for a rescue to trust you. You must be the strong, quiet leader who give kisses AFTER he's been a good boy. Don't try to calm him with "good boy", etc as you are rewarding his bad behavior. Expect some wild times, let him work them out while you remain calm. |
| You have only had him a short time, dont take what the vet and groomer said. He had a lot going on that day with shots, ear infection, clipping off all by strangers and also adjusting to his new enviroment, a lot to take in for a new fur kid.
Also with the groomer you dont know how assertive they could of been with him, like maybe never before on a grooming table, stranger fussing with him and maybe just plain spooked of the whole situation. Now all clipped off, start trying to give him back his confidence so he does not relate this whole vet/groomer experience as a negative. While the coat is short start with just a few mins each day and have him lie on his side and flick the brush through him with positive talk and lots of praise. Dont have him lying there for ages, just a short session and when finished give him a treat to turn this into a good experience for him. Also next time at a groomers, get referalls on them from others and go and check out the facility and how the dogs are done, kept after till the owner picks them up etc. Not all groomers are good and hopefully with a bit of patients and spending a little bit of time on him yourself now that the coat is short he will come to love it so that next time you have to book him in to a groomer, I would for the next time ask to be there to reassure him and see how that groomer reassures your dog and interacts with the dog so eventually you are comfortable and he is comfortable to be left there for a bath, groom, trim etc. Now with the vet, you cant blame the dog, he had an ear infection and also a stranger jabbing him for his shots. Hopefully as he settles in and if a good vet that knows he is a rescue with a unknown past history a vet will be patient with him and hopefully build confidence of the dogs trust etc. Muzzling I dont like at all, plus I think if they feel that needs to be done for their safety then they should contact the owner and ask if it is OK while we groom,vet check etc. Not do it then let you know later and it is not going to help him learn trust and confidence in people at all. 
You'll get there, just take it slowly and dont overwhelm him with too many new experiences too quickly as you dont know his full past siutations, one step at a time with lots of love and encouragement . |
| Good advice Lisa. I agree on the muzzle. I think all it does is put the dog on the dog on the defensive. I would also sit in on the next grooming session. While not a professional groomer myself (I just do my own & any dogs we have in show homes in my area), I know I can get more done faster if it is just me & the dog. But if the owner wants to stay & watch I never have a problem with that. |
| I have to agree with Sue (SheepieBoss) when you're dealing with a rescue dog with an unknown past.
I personally think it's great when a new family has a stray who's coat is now super short. You get to play-groom now... no worries about mats that need to be removed. You can begin to bond with this dog and build trust and gain his respect by following what Lisa mentions about grooming. Once you've built a trusting relationship, you're presence when he's with the groomer or being vetted might be a comfort. I think it's way too soon to expect this right now. Everyone, including yourself, is an unknown to him. You have to be able to safely take this dog to the vet and a muzzle will help to protect everyone for now. You don't want this dog to get a bite history and you want the staff to welcome your dog not, dread that he's coming in. Victoria Stillwel's "It's Me Or The Dog" was on last night and she used a muzzle. The episode was about a woman who rescues Weimaraners. One dog kept going after the other dogs and she shows how to use a muzzle in a positive manner. It's like what Sue shared. I think it's all about what you can get the dog to perceive, not what we ourselves perceive. My dogs are eager to get allegy shots... they come running and want to be first in the room. Are they nuts??? Nope... they know they'll be rewarded for holding still and letting me poke them every 4 days. Right now your dog is seeing a muzzle as something bad so that needs to change. Positive things need to happen when he has it on... and stop when it's off. Note that once he eagerly accepts the muzzle, he should arrive at the vet office with the muzzle already on. It's going to depend on the dog though how easy this is to do. Personally I'd break this down into steps and not simply try to put the muzzle on him from the very start. Make it a slow and easy game you play a couple of times a day until he allows you to put the muzzle on him. Then praise lavishly! It's difficult to "see" what's actually happening with only words. I'd highly recommend you seek some one-on-one help with a humane trainer in your area. One that can come in and help you get this dog to his full potential. |
icc2515 wrote: . He did NOT like it when I put the medicine in his ear. I am actually scared to do it now and I know that it does not help the situation to be scared.
. No he probably did not like it at all, as with a severe ear infection it is most painfull for them. Dont be scared to do it, he will sense that try and be confident in your approach to putting ear drops in, start by lying him down on the floor, have his head on your lap and just gently pat the head and talk soothingly to him, gently while talking to him lift the flap then squirt the drops in and stroke his head again. Then let him up and praise him. While so sore dont try massaging the drops into the ear, just drop them in for the time being till the soreness settles after a few applications then by a few days you should be able to use the same way with massaging the ear after putting the drops in and he is also learning you are only trying to help and not hurt what is at the moment a very sore ear.
Step by step, slowly with your new fur kid as trust and bonds build as he settles into his new enviroment. Another good tip is getting him slowly use to touching and running your hands over every inch of his body, lifting mouth flaps to look at teeth, playing with his feet, putting fingers inbetween the pads, tickling the tummy, lifting ear flaps etc so he knows it is OK & good to be felt & fussed with allover. Helps too for vets and groomers if the dog is used to touchy feel all over as well.
So get brushing now he is shaved off, keep it short only a few mins with lots of praise, it is amazing the bond that comes with a dog with just a short simple grooming experience from their owner. Also a good way to check at the time if anything is out of the ordinary like a flared ear or and unexpected bump on them or is the skin looking all nice and healthy etc. etc. |
| Just an update. We have gone thru the weekend. Had lots of people over and he has done great. A little excited when people come over, but calms down quickly. Better than my kids, as they don't calm down at all when we have company. Not even a sign of aggression. I have wimped out on the ear drops and wait till he is sleeping then go over and start petting him eventually flipping the ear up and applying the drops. Then I give him treats. My children love this dog. All they do is talk about him and cannot wait to get home to play with him.. He seems to like playing with them as he always go to them when they call. He lays down on the floor and puts his head in my oldests lap so she can pet him. She just thinks that is the coolest. |
You've gotten great advise on the grooming and vet issues but I'd like to comment on the children. It sounds like he has been good with them but as with any new animal in the house, I would not leave him unattended with the children especially with the ear infection. He's been through alot of stress in a short period of time....heck, I've been known to nip a bit when I'm stressed out and in pain  . Take it slow, it sounds like he's well behaved when not stressed.
Also I can't believe I'm the 1st one to mention we love pictures, please post a picture. Kathy |
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