Skip to content

Vet aggression

Behavioral Issues
  • every since Rocky got examined internally by the vet after being hit by a car he is absolutely aggressive to the vet. We can get him there but he goes absolutely demon voice and growling when we get there. They gave us medicine to give him….. 1 and 1/2 pills didn't work. They gave us 2 and 1/2 pills.... that didn't work. He got the muzzle off as soon as he saw where we were. I am SO frustrated. We asked the vet what the next step was and he said there wasn't one. He couldn't get close enough to give him a shot.

  • Does this behavior only happen at the vet? Is it specific to the vet office where he was treated after being hit by a car?

    A behaviorist may be able to help since it sounds like he will need to be worked with to help him get to a point where he can go to the vet again.

  • it is not the same vet…. it is any vet. we have moved and it has happened at the 2 vets we have tried.

  • Any chance that you have a moblie vet in the area that would come to your house? Do you know what they gave him? (the pills)

  • My friend Jean Skaggs suggest you set up good visits to the vet.
    Contact the desk staff and see if they will do the following.
    Let you know when the times are usually "slack"…then you drop off some yummy treat, diced chicken, nuked hot dogs, cheese, just yummy treats...
    Bring you boy in, the staff gives him treats and then you leave.
    Once he is ok in the office, see if the vet tecs will do this in the back treatment rooms.
    Right now, you boy sees vet as pain...and its totally understandable...so, now you must make the vet the disneyland of the basenji world...
    That is my advice.

  • I would probably add that if his growling in the parking lot before you actually even get in the building, if you can park somewhere where you can then walk him to the parking lot and give treats for just getting near the vets office. Then once he is comfortable just being outside the office then do as Sharron posted and work on just getting him comfortable in lobby, etc. It will probably take lots of small steps.

    Also, as Pat suggested a mobile vet that can come to you that may also be a way to go.

  • good advice. thanks. he is actually fine until the back office. i think it is the metal table.. crazy as that might sound

  • Not crazy at all…... the metal table... and maybe what you can do is have your vet's office let you take him back there... just give treats and leave.. don't even put him on the table... or cover the table with a blanket/towel...

  • Take a small rubber backed rug, like a bathroom rug, to put on the metal table, then it won't slip and he will have good footing, and the smell of home to comfort him. Combined with all of the above positive reinforcement and lots of 'drop in' vet visits.

    Anne in Tampa

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy Aggressively Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    ZandeZ
    Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.
  • My vet says my puppy is too aggressive

    Behavioral Issues
    51
    0 Votes
    51 Posts
    9k Views
    helle deviH
    @giira2121 as @donc said First off, if a vet thinks neutering will change aggressive behavior you should look for a new vet. That is such a discredited myth. If she doesn't know that what else doesn't she know? When considering whether to neuter, I'd suggest you check out the link below. It has scientific research to dispel many neutering myths. It's a brief but very thorough booklet discussing the pros and cons of neutering/spaying, more science based than anecdotal. https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet/ There is definitely less societal compulsion to spay/neuter in Europe.
  • Aggression towards other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    1 Votes
    8 Posts
    8k Views
    farabuttoF
    @DebraDownSouth Thanks Debra, you've given me a lot to think about. I think I'll start immediately with the "leave it" training at home and then get in touch with some trainers/behaviorists in my area. I'm not expecting any miracles here but, like you said, even just learning to ignore other dogs would make such a difference.
  • Aggressive Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    NemoN
    A way to do what Debra is suggesting in a game format is Crate Games, which you can get on DVD. You said this happens when you are getting ready to leave. Pay attention to exactly what you are doing before you leave and then see how your dog is reacting. You should be able to pick up on the cues that your dog is picking up on. You can try changing the pattern of how you get ready and potentially remove the cue to lessen the behavior until you can build the good associations others described. visit BCOA on Facebook. http://facebook.com/basenji.org
  • Aggression at bed time

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    Jack does that when he is sunbathing. He finds the biggest patch of sun he can find, and lays down crossways with his legs poking straight out and his head thrown back. He also likes to sleep with his head propped up on something, like a pillow….or my legs!
  • Sudden aggression!

    Behavioral Issues
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    15k Views
    tanzaT
    Kept us up to date on how it is going with Pongo!