Have you ever had a vet correct your dog?

[EAO76]

Today I took my foster boxer to the Vet. I had never seen him before but other volunteers & our rescue’s founder have raved about what a great vet/ guy that he is. Long story short I pulled this dog from a shelter a couple days ago. She had been sensitive to touch and snapping when touched in certain areas but also loved to be petted & was friendly. Then today she was vomiting all day. The vet seemed to think that the sensitivity to touch was behavioral not medical. I wasn’t comfortable just guessing so I asked him to do x-rays & blood work to rule out a medical cause.

While he was examining her she yelped & snapped at them. The vet yelled at the dog “NO BAD DOG” twice & then told her to “SIT”. My view was obstructed but I am almost positive that he was giving her leash corrections while yelling at her. This scared the crap out of the dog. She was drooling & shaking. It was awful.

I was sort of in shock and I didn’t really know how to handle the situation. I personally don’t believe in this sort of training. And I asked him to please not be mean to her. He was irritated with me and basically told me that he had the right to protect himself. But I had warned them multiple times that she was snappy & I even suggested that they use a muzzle. I feel muzzling would have been a more appropriate way to protect himself.

My point of view is this; she is either in pain or scared. And neither of these things is going to be helped by yelling at her or giving her leash corrections. It certaininly won’t make her trust vets and if she is in pain then correcting her is just cruel. Unfortunately I got upset & started to cry and didn’t do a good job expressing my concerns.

 

[sandy's mom]

My vet had to correct Napoleon a lot when he first came to me...but he didn't do it that way. Napoleon had snapped at him and he just took hold of his collar and put him in a sit, he did not scold him or anything. He did not want to use a muzzle on him because he said it scares some dogs and actually makes them worse.

If you use that vet again, you should calmly explain to him that you do not dicipline or train that way. He should understand your views, he may have been having a really bad day too...

 

[kayboxer]

Wow! I'm not sure what I would have done. I probably wouldn't be going back to that vet again if I wasn't comfortable with how he handled my dog. Poor baby, he should have known better after you telling him and knowing the history. Sounds like a power trip.

 

[JokersSoul]

I have never had a vet correct any of my dogs. If he felt like correction was needed he should have had you assist. The dog trusts and knows you. My Vet has us help with our dogs so that they feel more comfortable.

I am so sorry you had to go through this. It stinks that he made you that upset. I would be finding someone else to go to.

Sending healing vibes to you and your sweet dog.

 

[Box Boys]

Sounds like that vet wasn't very sensitive to the fact that this dog was just rescued and totally ignored what you told him about how she was reacting. I wouldn't go back to him again.

 

[LILYLARUE]

I have no problem with stopping any action by a vet that I feel is unneccessary. They know at my vets office that I will speak up and express my feelings to protect my dogs. I've been that way with my child and very vocal in public when I see other's being mistreated. I figure they won't see me again, so what do I have to lose. LOL

I would seriously bring this up to the vet next time and tell him how "dog aware" you are of your pups and their emotions. If he ever needs assistance again, to please ask you for it since you know best how to handle your dog.

At my vet, I do notice some vets don't really care if my dogs are rescues or not. Most of them are aware of my one dogs nervous needs when at the vet. The Vets tend to lump them into whatever "behavior" they think dogs should exhibit. They care none about their emotional state when being treated. They just tolerate the dogs anxiety until they can put them out. Not realizing the damage to the dog by negative association. So, I figure, just like nutrition, most vets don't take dog psychology courses unless they chose to delve deeper into that area. They have a medical degree diagnosing and treating physical ailments. Not a psychotherapy one.

 

[kenveeb]

I've had the world's greatest vet since I got Casey, so I've never had that problem with him. I did have it as a problem with my cats when we went to a different vet. I was so mad at how he treated them that I made it clear I would never come back, and I didn't. If your vet isn't treating your dog in a way you approve of, then vote with your feet!

 

[SweetCody]

I don't think that I have ever had a vet correct my dogs behavior. My two don't have a rough time at the vet so that may be why. Our Dr's (there are 4 in the clinic, like them all alot) give treats to get what they want. My two love the Dr office.

I think I would have been in tears as well, and would not have been able to handle the situation well either. In any case, I don't think I would use this Dr anymore.

 

[DiverDiva]

...I think I would have been in tears as well, and would not have been able to handle the situation well either. In any case, I don't think I would use this Dr anymore.

I would be in tears, too. I would not expect at that point to be able to calmly explain to this vet (who is somewhat incompetent when it comes to behavior, IMHO) what he should and should not do. Now that you can relect more calmly, you could write a letter or send an email to the owner of the veterinary clinic, and send a copy to the rescue organization. You may also want to send a copy to your state's veterinary licensing board. Describe what you explained to the veterinarian about the dog's sensitivity, what the veterianarian did (yelled), what he did not do (muzzle the dog), what you suspect he did (leash corrections), and the dog's reactions (drooling and shaking). Include a copy of the invoice. You can at least let the people at your rescue know what this vet does in this type of situation. Maybe they will not recommend him any more.

I can't imagine anyone at the clinic where I take my Boxers acting that way, but neither of mine is touch sensitive. Your poor foster must have been so horribly frightened.

 

[RoxiesEcho]

Wow! If I think one of mine isn't behaving properly when they are at the clinic it's usually the vet telling me that everything is ok, not her trying to correct the dog. Seems a little extreme ESPECIALLY when it's a rescue and no one knows it's history. Poor thing.