I have a 1 1/2 year old German Shepherd. He is a great dog and very well behaved at home. Has never attempted to growl or bite at anyone. However this past Saturday I took him to the Vet to get his yearly shots and worm test. The shots were not a problem. However the lifting of the tail and sticking a long instrument in his rear end to get a sample seemed to surprise him. Needless to say he didnt care for it. There were 2 people trying to administer this test. 1 girl was trying to hold him while the Vet Tech was doing the other part. Anyways to make a long story short he tried to bite the girl holding him. I totally didnt expect this from him but do understand why he did it. I do not like this however and need some recommendations on what i should do to correct this behavior. The Vet recommended that I take him to a dog training school and consider neutering him. All this for a one time deal and I hope the last.

there is really no reason for your dog to have to go through this. Make them give you a stool sample vial, get the stool at home and take it in. Don't traumatize him. I think this showed a little insensitivity by the vets office.

 Quote:

I think this showed a little insensitivity by the vets office.

Agreed.

I'll chime in with the others: It is normally acceptable to bring a stool in a baggie from the day of the visit. I know of very few PEOPLE who would not have any reaction to this sort of treatment, so why expect the dog to not be annoyed?

This is, in my limited opinion, not something to get worked up over. Just ask them if it's alright to bring a sample in. If they say no, then I'd strongly recommend finding another vet.

Luck!
-Jim

 Quote:

The Vet recommended that I take him to a dog training school and consider neutering him.

Did you ask the vet what training school teaches dogs how to take it up the @#$? Also I might ask how many neutered dogs bite vets each year?

Anyways, now you know, all dogs have a breaking point and can snap even yours. Seems like your GSD threashold is quite high actually. If you have no problems with dominant behavior and this is a first I would suggest the following.

Teach the dog to wear a muzzel at the vet. To be fair to the vets, they have a hard job and handling a large dog capable of hurting them can be scary.

My dog has not snapped at the vet "yet", but I am aware of all the bad things that have happened to him there, and that we are too far gone for him to like the vet so I consider it a possibility every time. I will let the vet know this too, they will think twice about some proceedures and proceed differently with a dog that may be aggressive. No matter the proceedure I always hold my dog's head for the vet. kind of a stabalizing head lock move that works for me and keeps the dog from squirming. I am the one in his face, I can reassure him. It has workded for me so far, even for some stuff up the butt.

Now, my dog is only 43 lbs so he is easier to manage. You will have to figure out what works for you. Keep in mind your dog has had a bad experience being cornered and hurt/surprised by strangers now. Try to avoid those procedures unless vital to dogs health and remember that becasue the dog was okay with the shots this time, he might not be next time.

Thanks for the info!! Ill try and take it with me next time. Im with yall on the way he reacted. I think the Vet over reacted although I can understand not wanting to get bit and trying to protect himself. If another instance happens Ill take additional measures at that time.

 Quote: jennifer coulter

My dog has not snapped at the vet "yet", but I am aware of all the bad things that have happened to him there, and that we are too far gone for him to like the vet so I consider it a possibility every time. I will let the vet know this too, they will think twice about some proceedures and proceed differently with a dog that may be aggressive. No matter the proceedure I always hold my dog's head for the vet. kind of a stabalizing head lock move that works for me and keeps the dog from squirming. I am the one in his face, I can reassure him. It has workded for me so far, even for some stuff up the butt.

I also hold all of my dogs when at the vet's office. Taylor, the young tech, is also great with them and he helps if needed.

I also agree with training to accept a muzzle.

I know my dogs, my vet knows my dogs, however that does not mean that my dogs like us while being poked and prodded.
Also, we do everything we can when on the floor, rather than up on the slick, scary table. Although my Dutch does not like the vet, he jumps up on that table every time (we muzzle him), so we treat him there. I think he is more comfy up higher, because on the floor he gets the "Oh S**T I am cornered" look, on the table he does not.

If you vet will let you AND teach you how to hold and "restrain" your dog while he is treating them, I would take them up on it.

 Quote:

If you vet will let you AND teach you how to hold and "restrain" your dog while he is treating them, I would take them up on it.

Yes! I took my dog to the vet for an ear infection last week. I held her while she had her mouth, ears and throat examined and her temp taken. She was incredibly good through it all - the vet commented 2 or 3 times on it. I know if someone else had been holding her she would have been nervous and much more likely to growl at someone.

One other suggestion… . Since your dog had a bad experience at the vets office, see if they will let you come in during a slow period or at the end of the night and play ball or some other positive experience in the waiting room. After a few sessions, see if the vet-techs will help by playing with your dog and some physical contact. Once your dog is accustomed to the muzzle, make wearing the muzzle part of the “vet training time” and go back to playing ball and physical contact at the office while still in the muzzle.

I’m blessed with a work dog who gets aggressive with the vet on EVERY visit to the office. It’s to the degree that we have to throw a blanket over him and lay on top of him on the floor for basic shots. If it requires an actual exam or even minor procedure he has to be sedated. You don’t want anything to do with the hell I have to go through at the vets office.

 Quote:

One other suggestion...Since your dog had a bad experience at the vets office, see if they will let you come in during a slow period or at the end of the night and play ball or some other positive experience in the waiting room.

A great suggestion! It can really help some dogs get over their nervousness.