Anne's post is really good for teaching the dog to focus on you. She has helped me with how to teach my dogs the watch me command. It is especially helpful when there are numerous distractions. It takes time, but well worth it once you have established the command.

It also helps to just project an extra "upbeat" confident attitude whenever a pup seems fearful. If you know a pup is fearful in the car, instead of "oh, it's okay, don't be scared, Mommy's here..." (which reinforces fear because you seem to recognize that there's something to be fearful of) go for an attude of "I love car rides! This is fun! We're having fun now!" (totally ignoring that the pup may not be sharing in your enthusiasm yet.)

If a pup is frightened by a loud noise (siren, etc.) just say something like "Boy, that was a loud one!" and then keep going about your business, as though loud noises are the most natural thing in the world (because they are.)

Most pups have fears of something or other--and most outgrow them, if they are given the right kind of gentle, positive exposure to things and have a confident leader to look to who does not seem fearful.

You got some good advice on how to handle the pup. As far as the tech goes, I'd just say "whether she should or shouldn't be, she is, so do you want to help me address the issue? This is what you can do …"

Either they will say "sure" and help you with your training plan, or they will shut up because they don't want to help, they just want to criticize.

I have been lucky & never had problems with vet techs....Maybe I have projected an attitiude of 'knowing' my dog & they have not felt they need to offer advice. LOL

But regardless...I am a firm believer of: My dogs, my rules. And I do project that in all cases. I usually don't even let the techs handle my dogs in any way, I do it. Unless I request any help. So on the rare occasion that I visit the vet's office, the vet tech is usually just a bystander. The vet & I handle my dogs. Even on the rare occasion that I have needed an x-ray on a dog, I go in & handle my dogs, since I don't want to sedate them. I know that they will not lay there for a stranger but will for me.

I will also say that I have a wonderful vets (regular vet & holistic chiro/accupuncture vet) & we have a great repore, which I am very grateful for. They both have the patience of a saint with my dingbat of a male...that hates being touched by strangers or having to stand still. The 'watch me' command & a handfull of treats go a long way with enlisting his cooperation. He's not mean spirited..just VERY hypersensitive & pain sensitive. Which BTW...is a royal PITA. But...I would much rather work with a dog in the way that works best for that animal then to get into a confrontation with them & have to 'correct' them & increase the stress level, which doesn't help anyone. My dogs happily walk into the vets with no bad feelings etc. So it's what works for me & my dogs.

Everyone is different, every dog is different & some vets are not as accomodating as mine are. I guess that I have lucked out bigtime with my vets.

It's hard to overcome the bad feelings a pup gets at the vet's office, especially post surgical fear. The pup comes in pretty open minded and willing. It goes to sleep (quite scary in itself) and wakes up in pain and disoriented. It waits for the owner, who seems a long time coming. Next time the dog goes back to the vet they are usually fearful.
IMO the tech was out of line. I think you heard, "I'm a little scared of your dog."

Yes the tech admitted she was scared to my husband,,and i would do the treats and watch me , but she gets car sick so thats a different problem there too. Thanks for everyones advice am starting the marker training with her too. And got my deer blood for her wounded deer tracking training also.

 Quote: Anne Jones

I
But regardless...I am a firm believer of: My dogs, my rules. And I do project that in all cases.

Whatever you do, don't be uncomfortable or afraid to stand up for your dog. Took me awhile to learn this, but it is a very valuable lesson I know my dogs better than anyone else and even if it bothers the vets or techs, I will have things done my way.

Great advice given here.

Since I'm a vet tech student, I have to comment on the tech's behavior. In school we are taught day in and day out that we are technicians. We are not doctors and we are not trainers. We are there to treat patients with the best care possible. But we aren't really supposed to make any sort of diagnosis (be it a physical condition or a behavioral one). We aren't trained for that.

If you had asked for the tech's help, it would be different. But we certainly aren't taught that much about animal behavior in school (at least in my school) for us to just go around telling people how to raise their animals.

I hope things get better for you!

" But we certainly aren't taught that much about animal behavior in school (at least in my school) for us to just go around telling people how to raise their animals."

Neither are vets.

It's just the wrong person to ask ... and that's nothing negative about vets!

"Veterinary medicine is the branch of science that deals with the application of medical, surgical, dental, diagnostic and therapeutic principles to pet, domestic, wildlife and livestock animals."

You may prefer another source than http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterinary , but they are all going to say the same thing (essentially): A professional who practices animal medicine. A doctor licensed to treat the ailments or injuries of animals. A physician for animals.

Just my one cent's worth!

 Quote: Kyle DeSerio

Also if you can get the dog in the car and go on short trips and then extend the time in the car that will help with car rides, if the dog only goes in the car to go places that make them nervous ie. vets office they associate the car with nervous behavior. Make it random take them for a ride and then home dont even stop anywhere and then vary it from there.
Good Luck

My dog had an problem with the car where she would get scared at the last min and refuse to get in. Unintentionally we started going to the park to walk and play. She quickly got over the problem as she can't wait to get to the park.