JenDeHoet (12-20-2017)
I agree with socializing and getting him use to strangers petting him. Also, when I take my dog to the vet I handle him. Not the tech, not the vet. I do it. He knows ME. He trusts ME. I stuff treats in his face and I'm the one comforting him. The second time I took Jules (my lab) to the vet I let the doctor and tech handle him. He was terrified! He struggled so hard. I said to myself, never again! From then on I did the handling and he was just fine. With Archie (not a lab) he's much more nervous. But I did the handling and he tolerated it. It helps if the vet and tech first have a friendly greeting with the dog. Maybe a belly rub.
JenDeHoet (12-20-2017)
This is seriously super helpful and makes way more sense to me as I agree, My dog knows me not them! He's actually had a lot of socialization so far and he has no issues with strangers. But thank you for this, it will definitely be something I will be doing next vet visit for my Little guy to see if that helps him stay calm. He's a mama's boy so this may be a good trick for us.
Although this makes sense I'm not sure it works in the real world; my vet has a sign in the exam room that says for "for your pets safety let the doctor and tech handle him only" (likely for liability issues also), plus I've watched the doctor do a physical on Rocky many times, if I was holding him the doctor and I would have the start of a very intimate relationship.
Idk why but that just gave me a good laugh.
I like this idea myself but it may be something I discuss as an option at our next update in 2 weeks too see what their policy is. As I told some others this in this, this visit was his 3rd visit [ever] and this is the first time and tech to have any issues with him getting squirmy and rambunctious. Visit 1 and 2 he was fortunate enough to have had the same tech so this was a new person. BUT it could also be because this is the first time as well he's ever had a rectal temp taken and the this vet tech did not take anytime to warm up or introduce herself to the pup before going all hands in like the prior tech has done. He is very socialized for his age but in the end he is still a puppy.
There could easily have been something about the new vet tech that spooked him and then made him stay nervous for everything else.
My Hershey's first visit to the vet freaked him out. The vet...a lovely but large, fairly loud, man....got down on the floor with Hersh. I'm sure he thought that would eliminate any nervousness but it had the exact opposite effect. It took a while before Hershey was OK at the vet's office (same vet...we worked on it). He often tensed up with different techs so we really never knew how the visit would go. He wasn't manic, just ill at ease, with some people.
I am pretty sure this is just a fear period, but just in case, you should work on it at home, can't hurt might help.
I breed, so disclaimer here. :-) I get my puppies (starting at a few days old) and dogs up on the grooming table once a week, we look at teeth, mouth, eyes, ears, paws, examine with my hands all over the dogs or puppy, I dremel their nails, look for ticks (ticks can lodge in the mouth and between the toes etc...) or fleas, or scabs, injuries etc... I also do my heartworm meds during this exam when it is due, or tick/flea topical. And yes, I take rectal temperatures occasionally and do vaginal exams, (well lubed gloved finger) on my puppies and adults, and pregnant and whelping girls. My pregnant girls get their temperature taken several times a day for about a week as she gets closer to her delivery date, and for several days to a week after delivery. They see it and know what's coming LOL
It's important for you to be able to take your dog's temperature, or for the vet to be able to do so, without you present, in case they are hospitalized. An elevated, or too low temperature is critical in diagnosing illness, it's less stressful for everyone, if you can take it without fuss.
At home, dedicate a thermometer for the dogs, place the dog up on a table or surface off the floor, (think exam table at the vets office) with a towel down, grab someone else to help you, one person at the dog's head, holding the head, and you at the rear. Lubricate the thermometer with vaseline or KY, lift the tail and gently insert, use one hand (gloved) to hold the thermometer from going too far into the rectum, and the other just under the flank to keep the dog from sitting. Praise and even give treats and talk softly, sweet nothings to reassure them. Later, after practice you can do it on the floor.
I would just continue as you are, exposing your puppy to new experiences, taking him for cars rides and fun visits to the vets office. Bring cookies and weigh him, or have a tech give him a treat, and leave without trying to examine him or take his rectal temperature there, I am betting the next visit will be no fuss no muss. As for taking a temperatures at a vet exam, my puppies just got the Rabies vaccination and my vet took their temperature before administering the vaccine, to be sure they were healthy and not fighting something.
JenDeHoet (12-20-2017), windycanyon (12-20-2017)
Getting something shoved up your pooper, especially when you dont feel good, just plain sucks. I can honestly see why he fought it.
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JenDeHoet (12-22-2017)
He's 4 months old. Continue training and socialization and they get used to going to the vet. Work on doing the CGC in a training class, a lot of the "handling" and allowing someone to touch the dog is covered. Sounds like a pain in the butt vet tech to me.
Jen
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JenDeHoet (12-22-2017)
I would continue what you are doing with socialization, and make sure to touch him all over. Don't let this one appointment set the tone for your interactions with the vet staff (although perhaps this tech isn't the best, based on their comments about a 4-month old). Puppies sometimes are nervous/fearful because they sense we are nervous. Try to go places where he will meet a wide variety of people (different sexes, sizes, skin tones, clothing, etc.). When I have puppies I will also take them by the vet to get weighed and have the vet, techs, front desk people, give them treats. I don't want the vet to become a place where my dogs only go when something unpleasant happens or when they feel badly. All three of my dogs love to go to the vet.
Also, it's great you are touching his paws to prepare him for toenail clipping, but I do hope he's had his nails clipped regularly from the time he came home. :-) I dremel my dogs' nails once a week. It's helpful for all dogs to have short nails to keep from the negative impacts that long nails have on their overall orthopedic health.
JenDeHoet (12-22-2017)
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