Hi there guys!
I’m new but have a question about my Rott.
Here is some back ground. He is a 20 month old intact, very well bred dog with incredible working lines; tons of prey, and a very quiet, full bite. He has been raised with the Flinks videos, but our closest club is about three hours away, so we are mostly working with the local K9 department trainer and a very good helper. He has always been very good in public (Starbuck’s, PetSmart, the beach, etc&hellip ignores most people and dogs. At the dog park (I know!) ignores ‘em all and when confronted will stand there until the other walks away, then goes about his business.

Two months ago he had surgery, has always been fine at the vet (1 week earlier for blood work), but this time (pre-op) while all started out fine, it ended with three techs holding a 105 Rott down. This happened in the back, and I was told later. Day of the procedure, already Aced, he was visibly stressed walking in to the clinic. 260lb Armenian guy approached him to further tranq him, and he began to growl. Big guy jumped him and gave him 3 more injections. This was a big fight (1st needle snapped) as they were ushering me out of the room. They asked us not to come back for a post op unless there was cause for concern.

Today he is healed physically, buy now alerts to and will sometimes aggressively bark at random people at places like Starbucks and pet stores. Huge correction (they scare the locals) ensue. This happens randomly at people and now most dogs. Beach, dog park, home, and training field he is the same old dog I have always had to dogs and people alike.

I know he is at that age, and was expecting some challenges, but this was a very sudden change. He is now going to be muzzled while out (legal precaution) but I need some opinions please! Should I stop the bite work and concentrate on the ob and tracking? I was waiting for the surgery to be completed to take him for his BH, and was otherwise ready. Suggestions??? Thanks!

Sounds like the vets tried to handle him the wrong way, in an attempt to just get the job done. He'll have to learn to trust people again & that'll take some time. Make sure every situation from here on out with people is 100% positive. I don't know if I would stop the bitework all together, unless you're working him in aggression.

My opinion on this is that first and foremost ,change clinic.I have never had an experience where my dog had to be wrestled in order to give him a shot.He 107 lb GSD and has done bite work for 2 and a half years now.He is not sleeve conditioned and will bite for real. At the vet he is muzzled, always ,he is easier to handle that way and even tho he growls the whole time he is being examined he does not fight, I have full control of him but his growls have a made my vet feel uncomfortable.So ,for everyone to be ok with him ,I muzzle him, but he is not allowed for any reason to fight anyone from touching him or adminiter a shot.How much control do you have on him? If the bite work is done properly it should not change the dogs view on how to behave in public.For instance my male I mentioned can be in a crowd of people and not growl or lung to bite anyone but in a threatening situation he is a whole different dog.That's what a stable and good nerves, matured dog would do. In a vets office is a bit different and they sence a bit of a different kinda a threat, it's abit kinda like being against the wall. but for your dog to come out so different than the way he was before I am not sure that he should even be doing protection.Maybe he is not ready for any kind of conflict.Maybe he has not matured enough to handle "pressure". Just my opinion, maybe you'll get different opinions then mine that might sound better.
I wish you luck with your BH, that's great.

too late to edit <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />, I meant my 107 lb gsd......

I think it's also very important to know a great many Rottweilers have a bad reaction to acepromozine. I also agree you need to find a new clinic, and you also need to up your dog's overall obedience. He doesn't have to like going to the vet but he can learn to tolerate it. It's your job to make sure he's handled fairly. If he feels you aren't seeing to that, he'll do it on his own. In the case you just described, he was not handled fairly and with respect as this breed demands. They have now imprinted a very negative situation in his head when he goes to the vet. It's going to be a fight and he knows it. Typical Rottweiler to not go down easy. Learn from this mistake. Be a part of the handling of your dog and find a vet who will allow it. NO vet touches my dog with a tranq without me present. Period. He doesn't touch him without me present for anything. My JOB is to take control in all situations - I will not leave my dog hanging out there on his own. If the vets won't allow that, find a new one.

When you find the new vet, maybe it would help to take the dog in for quick "visits" with no treatment to meet and get acquainted with the staff and vet. He gets some treats/toys and can possibly rebuild the lost trust. A walk through of the exam room would be good too. Visit the vet many times before you need him . A vet should willingly do this.

Lauren, amen to no tranqs without you present.