Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Rob Davis — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:12:23 GMT

[quote user="John Rimmer"]I do, as otherwise I would not be following the SPC and so would be responsible were vaccination to fail.[/quote]

Seriously?

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

John Rimmer — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:23:27 GMT

[quote user="Lorna McHardy"]

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

I never use the green tops for giving the kennel cough vaccine either................

Does anyone?

[/quote]

No, but they're very useful for syringefeeding unweaned kittens....

[/quote]

I do, as otherwise I would not be following the SPC and so would be responsible were vaccination to fail.

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

tess — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:34:00 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

Is it a border collie?

[/quote]

Yep -collie/lab cross

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:31:21 GMT

Tess, try the DAP collar rather than plug in - they are brilliant - and perhaps up the dose of zylkene. I'd try clomicalm before xanax personally, but would also take advice from a qualified behaviourist too.

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:20:29 GMT

[quote user="tess"]

No I haven't yet-sounds like it might be worth a try.

I'm beginning to think she has supersensitive hearing- she often catches mice and moles- locating them by sound.

She's also better if there's a general hum of busyness in our house. If it's very quiet then she listens out for things, so there's definitely an obsession thing going on too.

[/quote]

Is it a border collie?

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

tess — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:51:41 GMT

No I haven't yet-sounds like it might be worth a try.

I'm beginning to think she has supersensitive hearing- she often catches mice and moles- locating them by sound.

She's also better if there's a general hum of busyness in our house. If it's very quiet then she listens out for things, so there's definitely an obsession thing going on too.

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:43:26 GMT

Ever tried amytriptilline or xanax?

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

tess — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:58:13 GMT

Lots of visits to the practice where nothing happens to them.If it's quiet enough then have a tour of the building, treats given along the way. It all takes time and there's no quick fix.

Am the owner of one of these dogs who seems to live her life in a state of anxiety. Currently we are battling a fear of the radiator next to her bed, and also the kettle boiling. Zylkene had no effect and the DAP plug-in made a tiny noise which freaked her out. It took her 2 months to get used to the new bed we bought her. There doesn't seem to be a cure, only a management, and one unexpected episode can set the whole thing back by months. So far the best thing seems to be masses of exercise, which gives less time for worry.

Sorry didn't mean to hijack this but am always on the lookout for a miracle!

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Mark Rowland — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:55:55 GMT

But to give my 2p worth, I find that removing them as the centre of attention helps, so I get the owner to let them off the lead and then focus all my attention on talking to the owner and ignore the dog completely. Most times these dogs start to wonder why they are being ignored and then approach out of their own free will at which point I will continue to talk to the owner but stroke the dog without giving eye contact. then come the treats. Thats what works for me

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Mark Rowland — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:52:09 GMT

I hope not cos so do I

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

patrick murphy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:15:17 GMT

I do, is that supposed to be weird?

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Lorna McHardy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:09:22 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

I never use the green tops for giving the kennel cough vaccine either................

Does anyone?

[/quote]

No, but they're very useful for syringefeeding unweaned kittens....

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:41:34 GMT

[quote user="Alex Allen"]ok to give KC vaccine (without the green top on[/quote]

I never use the green tops for giving the kennel cough vaccine either................

Does anyone?

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Lorna McHardy — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:14:28 GMT

I use a lot of bribery, but do think you've got to have the right dog for it to work unless you're going to spend a huge amount of time and effort, as Alex says.

I did have one fantastic one once... Clumber Spaniel that needed monthly injections for an allergic skin condition, and came to us from another vet. Initially, the visits were pure hell for everyone, as the dog had to be dragged into the room by the scruff, and spent the entire time cowering in a corner, peeing and pooing, and snapping at anyone coming near. Nightmare to inject. However... eminently bribable, and after about six months, I had her trotting in albeit still rolling her eyes at me when approached with a needle; and after a year, she was straining at the lead to get into the room, and would sit in front of me and bounce up and down on her front legs until she got the treat. The owner thought I was wonderful... sometimes you get lucky

Generally speaking, I try to keep it as atraumatic as possible by taking my time, approaching them slowly, offering treats and more treats whether they seem receptive or not, and winding them up as little as possible by sticking to necessary interventions only. Sometimes it even works!

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Alex Allen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:55:52 GMT

we had GSD that was very similar to this except it did resort to the teeth when approached. Owner was always mortified as the dog was fine at home and the fear of vets originated from a "bad" experience elsewhere. Luckily we had an excellent nurse that was really into her behaviour and worked with the owner. One thing that worked well was the owner just popping into the practice at the end of morning consults when it was quietening down and they just sat in the waiting room with a cup of tea and a chat with the nurse. Initally no attention was paid to the dog. After a few weeks the dog was sufficiently relaxed and happy to take the odd treat. Eventually we had desensitised the dog - although I couldn't wear a green top to examine the dog!

The dog went from unhandlable to being ok to give KC vaccine (without the green top on) but it did take a lot of work and time from both the nurse and the owner.

Re: Submissive dogs in the consulting room

Mark Holmes — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:56:23 GMT

Usually I get the owner to hold them give them a token prod and base my consultation on a good history only enforcing a full physical examination if I feel there is reason to do so. For example the majority of vomity/diarrhoea dogs have a nonspecific gastroenteritis, particularly if they are eating well and bright in all respects. The bit of the physical exam I would be interested in is an abdom palpation which in a nervous boarded dog is next to useless anyway.