We have had our puppy since she was 8 weeks old, done puppy classes, lots of socialisation etc. She knows all the basic commands, is housetrained and I thought I was doing well!
However, took her to the vets yesterday as she is very sore around her bits, not helping by her keep licking them. She has been given antibiotics for this.
When the vet initially examined her, she didn't really want to be poked down there so I held on to her and she put her teeth round my hand. Not hard, but trying to get me off so she could move. The vet commented that she should have grown out of mouthing by now, I replied she was much better than she used to be but still did it occasionally.
The vet then went through all the ways to stop her biting. She explained the methods we have been using, then told us to basically pin her mouth shut with our hands. The vet then demonstrated this by starting to look at the bits again, when my puppy objected by mouthing her the vet clamped her hands around the puppy's mouth really tightly. My puppy went mad, she was petrified and tried to get away, the vet described it as an hysterical reaction. My dog did actually draw blood on the vet in the struggle, not sure if it was intentional or not. The vet persisted, my dog went quiet and the vet said that she had won the battle.
The vet then basically said that my Puppy thinks she is top dog, we have to be dominant , and we should get a behaviourist in as she will be unmanageable by the time she is two.
What do you think? I am fully prepared to get a behaviourist in if needed, however she has never shown any sign of aggression, is great with all people and other dogs. Sorry for the long post!
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
17 week old Westie puppy - Advice needed
GoalieMum · 02/06/2015 12:14
Poor puppy
Your instincts are right, goaliemum, also echo what people have said about a vet change.
I have a westie bitch, now just over a year. She mouthed a lot, and still does first thing in the morning, but now controls it better.
Also, the soreness might be part of the skin infections that westies are prone to. Ddog also had sore ear, underlegs at the same age. We now use malaseb every now and again, and feed her millies wolfheart, it hasnt returned..
Wishing you all the best. Change vets, what a horrible person, and so abusive
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus saying Change your vet. Our vet (and the nurse team) are so incredibly gentle with our dogs. We have one who is bitey if he is frightened so we always muzzle when we attend. Fortunately, even then, that is only necessary if any poking or prodding is happening. We even pop in to say hello to the practice if we are passing - and all the practice staff encourage this sort of visit and give lots of treat/fusses as it's all good for building up positive associations. I find it so utterly depressing that vets are still coming out with this dominance nonsense.
Goaliemum Malaseb is a strong shampoo only on prescription. That's why it's important to have a good vet, as westies do have these ongoing skin problems. Which means lots of possible visits. This we use too. I have talked to westie owners who use just water, or baby shampoo, and it is probably a good thing to bathe her as little as possible.
I can just encourage you, as we were so worried about hoochydog too. She is our first dog, but she has settled down enormously just by being gentle with her...I really dont go in for all this pack leader lark, but when you first have a dog you don't know what to do. I have found these boards full of sensible advice.
Enjoy her! 
Before anyone goes switching practices it can be worth asking to see another vet in the same practice, assuming it's not a small one man band.
Some of the vets at our place are still adherents of dominance theory, others are well up to date on modern methods - same as the nurses and receptionists, there's a real range of areas of expertise - I'd hate for a new client to tar all the employees with the same brush. We put a huge amount of effort into our puppy clinics and socialisation opportunities, it's so easily undone by a casual 'pack leader' comment from one of the less enlightened vets. Drives us potty! 
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