Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Michaela Taylor

.... and Ed, who completely makes me scared

I can help with that.

http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/peanuts.flv

or this one:
http://leerburg.com/1157.htm

Yeah. Either one will quickly eliminate any lingering fear-of-Ed ....



By the way, this process is absolutely worth every minute you spend on it, IMO, because it's not just about the vet's office, as crucial as that is. It's a strong bonding and trust experience when you do this to eliminate or minimize the dog's anxiety and fear.






Edited by Connie Sutherland (02/03/2009 12:14 PM)
Edit reason: btw

I was scared of Ed at first too, actually I was scared of this place, but it has been invaluable to me while raising my current pup.

Bacon worked well for us while I was working through Yote's fear, as did bits of Deli Roast beef, the good kind that is still rare and has the stong smell to it.

G'day Siaty,

Thanks for your reply. No, I definitely do not try to calm her with any sort of affection...as you know that says 'Good girl, you have a right to be scared' and not, 'Cut it out!'...lol. I am not nervous at all (only of Ed...lol).

Step two was put like that to convey the fact that the initial visits were going to be as fleeting as possible to prevent her from, or at least limit the unstable state of mind she enters into, and hopefully aid in her snapping out of it very quickly. The idea is 'do it before she even realizes what's happening' in the initial stages of conditioning.

No, I am in no way tense or nervous, and I don't pay her any attention when she is in that state of mind.

Well, we don't actually go into any buildings other than the vet's, so I couldn't say if she'd be like that in just any building. She is fine when I take her to friends homes, and out and about (apart from bridges crossing water which she doesn't like, but crosses cos mum gives her no option!...lol).

Again, thanks for your interest and comments.

Me

Hey'a Angela,

She is pretty good outside. When she is inside she is a mess, but the minute I walk her outside and she calms down, stops shaking etc... She's slightly psychotic you know...lol.

Her food drive is really good (but not obsessive) outside of stressful situations, but that is something I have considered also...the part about the treats being REALLY special....lol. I just don't know how the receptionist loves me enough to think about holding that stinky meat!...lol.

Thanks for your reply and helpful hints.

Me

G'day Sarah,

Yes, I thought I would go in between clinic times, when it will be much quieter.

That's an interesting idea about me treating and not the receptionist. I'll give that some thought. Also, I think just going to the front door only at first is probably a better idea, as then if she does start to enter that state of mind it hopefully wont be at a level where she'll ignore the food. Thanks

Yes, I agree about any stress of the handler being transferred down the leash, but in this case I am not stressed at all, so that's good as I don't have to deal with that as well as the dog...lol.

Thanks Sarah..

Me

Crikey, I don't want to be rude and not reply to everyone, but my signature is taking a lot of space, so I think I'll use this quick reply without the sig!...lol, and reply to everyone in one efficient message box...lol.

Mike, I have certainly been aware of possible fear aggression, and in fact have been rather pleasantly surprised that no matter how terrified she is, she still lets the vet handle her without showing any signs...but I'm ready if she does.

Connie....hahahaha, that was hilarious! I hope the manufacturers of those peanuts didn't lie about the ingredients...hehehehe. Okay, so Ed is mellow when talking about his products....but I know he doesn't suffer fools gladly, so my plan is.....

1. read his replies to peoples dog problems whilst eating my favourite treat (crayfish!)
2. progress to listening to his verbal commentary, starting with short, limited exposure, progressing to the entire video over a time span of aprox 1 year...all the while listening to my bible on tape...specific verse Luk 12:4 "But I tell you, my friends, never be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can't do anything more"
3. be careful of overexposure!
..lol.

Danita, I am glad you found a way to bypass the aggression...well done you.

Connie, Oooo, I like the bacon idea. The potention problem there is will the bacon make it to the dog?! Actually, you gave me a good idea....after doing initial car park, outside door stuff, I could actually start tossing the bacon around outside so she is engaged in finding it, which of course being a dog with a nose, she'll love. Great fun activity for her. Thanks for the idea! I appreciate the encouragement.

Natalya...yes, I agree the people are part of the 'therapy'. That's why I want the receptionist to give some treats too...not just me, even though I am her trainer. I'd never hand the leash to anyone, but treating is a different matter under these circumstances I believe. I love your pooch...you can tell he's a male with that head...gorgeous fella eh.

Wendy, ok....he has far too much time on his hands...lol. Hey, I have a chuck it, I just didn't know that's what it was called! Yeah, they are great alright. The dog is the same in any room at the vets....unfortunately. But we will sort it come hell or high water!

Jennifer, as I said to Connie...yeah but will it last long enough for me to give it to the pooch?...lol.

I'm going to clarify a statement I made a little earlier, Michaela.

I've actually watched two owners working through the problem you're having. I watched this sitting at the receptionist desk in a vet hospital.

These owners, the first several "desensitizing" visits, did not ask us to get involved with or to engage the dog in any way. Their goal was to get the dog through the door and back out in the most positive way possible, without a meltdown and without any additional distractions.

After that initial "breaking of the ice" we up at the front desk were encouraged to treat the dog and, afterward, so were the other staff members. But the first and biggest hurdle for these dogs was just getting through the door without completely freaking out and I saw that accomplished when we, the staff, stayed in the background in the beginning.

I absolutely agree that people are a part of the therapy. Some vets and techs have a God-given gift for calming a nervous or fearful animal. Getting to know the staff and having them get to know you and your dog is really important and helpful in getting your dog over this fear and making a vet visit a good experience.

Again, JMHO.

 Quote: sarah morris

I'm going to clarify a statement I made a little earlier, Michaela.

....

After that initial "breaking of the ice" we up at the front desk were encouraged to treat the dog and, afterward, so were the other staff members. But the first and biggest hurdle for these dogs was just getting through the door without completely freaking out and I saw that accomplished when we, the staff, stayed in the background in the beginning.

Thanks for the clarification, Sarah - that gave ME some good insight too! You must have seen just about everything as a staff member at an animal hospital... the cases you described sound like the real extreme end of vet visit fear, so keeping the desensitization steps uber small and simple sounds like a very appropriate strategy.

And as for vets with natural talent when dealing with animals, I've only come across ONE in all our years of switching vets, moving, and seeing specialist after specialist for joint problems - I didn't know what we were missing until we saw this guy (orthopedic surgeon), but he was, without a doubt, amazing with Oscar (who at the time was at his worst about going to the vet). It was pure zen though and I have yet to meet another like him. I'm sure they exist, but they're sure rare around these parts!

~Natalya