A little freaked out...need thoughts...

[cscarro]

So, this story is a little long, but does have to do with behavioral issues, bare with me.

Our almost 10 month old woke up the other day and within a couple of hours, I noticed that her eye was really red, swollen and she could barely keep it open. Of course, I called the vet right away and they asked me to bring her in...

We are in the process of moving from one town to another and the movers were over the house on this day taking our stuff. I thought maybe it was a little allergies or something like that due to the dust.

When we first got in to see the vet, stella was doing fine. the doc was looking at her eyes and she seemed a little scared but was dealing with him looking around and putting in drops. after he put in these numbing drops, he went in with this instrument and was looking around to see if there was anything in there. after backing up to try to hide under the table, stella jumped, got really scared and tried to bite the vet (kinda snapped a little but didn't get him). he ended up putting a muzzle on her to finish the appointment but she was trembling the whole time. turns out that she had a "puncture" wound to the eye and had to go on all these meds. i was so upset that she was so scared during that appt that I couldn't help but cry (I'm a softie when it comes to my girl).

as we were leaving the appt, the vet told me that i should watch her around little kids and that he wouldn't leave her alone with them since she gets spooked when people invade her space. i was so confused. she LOVES kids and is the sweetest most friendly dog I've ever know. I have NEVER seen her even do anything remotely close to biting like that (except when she was a baby, but that was just nipping) and we really did a lot of work on bite inhibition with her so she has a pretty soft mouth for a puppy her age. i have never seen her even get scared around any people as we starting socialization as soon as we got her (8 weeks) - she doesn't know a stranger.

wasn't this just a reaction because he was trying to stick a sharp object in her eye and bc she was scared? should i be worried about her with kids??? could it also have something to do with the stress of us moving and stella not understanding what is happening? is there anything i can do to help her not be so scared?

im so upset and feel so bad for her. we are staying in a hotel until we get our new place and she keeps walking around crying/ whining...and, part of the meds she is on are eye drops and she runs away from me every time she sees them...the vet did mention that this type of wound is painful.

im just a little freaked out (as is she, I bet) and don't know what to do! any input would be appreciated...

thanks!

 

[nalabear]

my thoughts are that she was scared and didn't like the vet. he hurt her not intensionally but hurt her none the less and she was reacting to it. just because this person is a vet doesn't mean that they are animal friendly and animals can sense that. my baby loves our vet but as soon as they start examining her she gets scared and starts to shake uncontrollably. she always kisses him and smiles at him afterwards but she is still scared. (yes she actually smiles)

i would always watch your baby around children and she should never be left alone with them but i honestly don't think it is the invation of space that was the issue. it was the trauma of the eye wound that got her scared and she didn't like the vet.

she will be fine with all the upheaval from the move. try to keep things as normal as possible even with you living in a hotel. if she likes to chew on bones get her something to chew on that will keep her occupied. like maybe a kong with peanutbutter in it or something. get her out for walks and drain some of her pent up energy. She will be ok.

 

[BostonGeorge]

My boxer also had a big eye injury! It can be pretty painful but I would break out Boston's favorite treat...cheese...and he would let me put his drops in. I made him sit and stood behind him...kind of straddling him. It was the easiest way for me to keep him still and for it to fast!! We had to do this for 6 months so eventually he gave in and got with the program. I think he figured out he got cheese if i put the drops in!

As for the dog snapping at the doctor, it sounds like she was just afraid. Going to the vet can be stressful enough for a dog let alone if they are actually injured! I feel like the "invasion" of space is completely different than from romping around in the yard with kids and having them pull on dog to her being in a strange place, not feeling well, with a strange man cornering her.

Keep an eye out, but I don't think you have anything to worry about! Hang in there!

 

[djheitz]

I would be inclined to agree that it was her injury that made her react the way she did, but I'd also suggest that she may be in her second fear stage, too. A couple of friendly visists to the vets office just to say hello (and get a treat) might be a good idea so her last impression of them isn't a bad one.

 

[caruse]

I think that the snapping was due to the stress and anxiety not to mention the pain..My two are very good with children too but I am always careful to watch them around others as you never know what can happen even accidently..I am sorry the vet upset you and I hope your boxer is feeling better and on the mend to her usual self!!
Barbara

 

[alyssakitz]

Sorry to hear about her eye. My Zoe is the most amazing dogs around my children. They wallow on her and invade her space on a daily basis. She loves it and them. I can pry her mouth open and shove a pill down her, no problem. She has never shown even a teeny tiny amount of aggression towards anyone in everyday situations. However, we always have her muzzled at the vet. I have them do it even when she's just getting shots. She's a huge baby and she will snap at the vet when they are messing with her. I do not take this as any sort of indication that she is aggressive, just that she is a bad patient. :D

I think you girls reaction is perfectly normal. I wouldn't worry at all. I would, as others have suggested, keep trying to bring her around all sorts of new people just to make sure she's staying well socialized. Keep some treats on you and when you go out see if you can talk strangers into giving her some.

 

[EAO76]

Ignore your vet. Most vets have almost no expertise when it comes to behavior.

She was doing everything possible to let everyone know that she was uncomfortable (backing up, trying to hide) & no one was listening. So she snapped. She was just finding a way to get her point across. And I can almost promise that she had no actual intention of biting. I have been bit before. These dogs are FAST & if they want to bite they make contact. They don't miss. She was just snapping to give a warning.

Its absolutely ridiculous for that vet to label her as not being good or safe with kids. Of course she should be monitored around kids but I believe ALL dogs should be watched around small children. Especially kids that are still in the poking & prodding stage.

Some vets have good bedside manner. They watch for a dog to give signs of being uncomfortable & they change their approach. There are different handling techniques & positions that they could try. Also taking a break for a moment, offering treats, etc can all ease a dogs anxiety. However some vets don't want to waste their time doing any of these things.

Honestly I wouldn't even worry about it. You can definitely take her back for some friendly visits & treats to offset this negative one but beyond that I wouldn't worry much. Also you might want to consider changing vets or seeing another vet in the same office for the next few visits. Because right now the vet & the dog are weary of each other. This in itself can cause more anxiety at future visits.

 

[cscarro]

thank you so much for all of your responses - i feel so much better hearing feedback from all of you. I totally agree that she (as with all dogs) should be watched around children. I think i was just a little scared when the vet said that - it caught me off guard.

she seems to be doing much better. after we move, we plan on getting a new vet immediately so he can check the eye so I will be sure to let them know how she reacted last time. i think she may be in that fear imprinting stage too so I'm trying to get her out and about as much as possible. moving to the city (denver) i'm sure will help!

thanks again - its always nice to know that you have the support of fellow boxer/ dog lovers.

 

[EAO76]

Also I recommend that you explain to the new vet that your working with her so that she isn't fearful of the vet. Ask the new vet to take some time with her & make her comfortable. If they need to look into her eye with an instrument allow the dog to sniff the tool 1st. If you don't explicitly explain to the vet that you want to make the experience POSITIVE they may go in another direction. Meaning if all you say is "she was fearful & snapped" new vet may immediately grab a muzzle. And in turn the dog will have another negative experience.