I was at the vet's office picking up meds for my million dollar cat the other day and I keep replaying the scenario over and over in my head, wondering other's thoughts...
A dog there with the owner and the dog was vocalizing, so it appeared to me, probably a little more of a 'lower grumble'. No showing teeth, no hackles up, no lunging, body looked neutral. The owner kept telling the dog to settle, it would for a minute and then back to vocalizing every time the vet touched the dog. The owner again verbally corrects the dog, around and around they go. Then the vet says you should not correct the dog, you should reassure him that everything is ok.
I know I don't have a lot of details here and not sure why this make shift exam was taking place in the waiting room, but still curious what the consensus is here...re-direct, correct, re-assure or something else?
I disagree with your vet. No they should absolutely NOT reassure the dog that everything's ok. That's basically rewarding the dog and reinforcing the behavior. When I tell my dog to settle or "enough!", I expect him to completely drop the issue and focus on something else- like mea. Growling means he's still locked on and I would correct that. Reassuring is the last thing I'd do.
If my dog acts aggressive towards another dog or person when I have already told him enough..... The wrath of the gods descend upon thee! That's something that gets put to an end REAL fast.
That's just how I see it. May not be how all the folks here would handle it. My dog doesn't care for other dogs and people much, but he will tolerate them when I ask him to- and that mentality is what got us through our CGC.
Thanks Jessica. I don't know that particular vet, my dogs go elsewhere. The whole thing seemed off to me so went to their website and the vet's bio describes a background in behavior. My natural reaction would be similar to yours, but my mind has begun to wander. Would that inhibit the warning before a bite, blah..blah.blah. I am probably over analyzing this but at the same time I am an information seeker and never have too much dog information.
That's a good point about the warning....but here's more argument I know my dog good enough to know when he's pissed, growling or not. I don't want to excuse any form of aggression when I tell him enough. That's like telling and kid no and having them say, "but whhhhhhyyyy noooot?" Most people excuse their dogs from behavior they'd never let their CHILDREN get away with.
Maybe that's not the best analogy but my parents would have cracked me upside the head if I talk back to them. My dog is at an (special) age where I can't tolerate any form of attitude. Which makes my situation different than that other person's. But the way I see it, the behavior is either allowed or forbidden and there's no in between. When gray areas pop up, that's when the lines get fuzzy and you open yourself up to a world of problems. And by all means I am young and inexperienced in the grand scheme of things.
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Correction for growling or vocalizing?
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I know my dog good enough to know when he's pissed, growling or not. I don't want to excuse any form of aggression when I tell him enough. That's like telling and kid no and having them say, "but whhhhhhyyyy noooot?" Most people excuse their dogs from behavior they'd never let their CHILDREN get away with. 
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