Dog had to be muzzled at the vet

[fruitstick]

Took our cocker spaniel for his annual vaccinations today. He was incredibly anxious, shaking as soon as we walked in. He growled at the vet when she checked his heart and eventually she decided to muzzle him for his vaccination. He was very unhappy with the jab and would have bitten her I think.

As background, he had a horrible time last year at the vet. He was castrated by then his stitches got infected so there were a couple of trips that were painful for him while they poked about.

He now is reluctant to be groomed or poked about with and doesn't like to be restrained (in terms of held in a full embrace kind of thing). He growls a little if I touch his feet or tail in a way he doesn't like.

Other than that, he's a very gentle, friendly and affectionate dog. However the vet has suggested we nip it in the bud.

He's got to go back for jab 2 in 4 weeks. She's suggested bringing him in the meantime just to sit in reception and go again without anything happening.

She's also suggested muzzle training him with some treats/peanut butter so it's not a negative association, and working on grooming.

Has anyone else suffered with this and managed to improve things?

He's 2 next month.

My one walks into the Vet's office wagging and super happy but as soon he sees the consultation room he gets very anxious, I think it stems from a horrible Vet we had in the early days who just forced a muzzle on him, without even checking with me! After that we have also trained him to wear one but if it's not a particularly intrusive appt, like we go to Europe so has to get the worming tablet/ temp taken etc then if the Vet is happy I will just hold his face and reassure him, he is 6 and can be grumpy at times if you happen to touch him in the wrong places, bum being one of them and paws as well, loves his head scratches though so that helps

Awwwww bless. It is a clear case of he knows he goes to this place and gets hurt (learnt from last year) so he is scared and will react if anyone tries to hurt him again... or even come near. So you need to make a new association with your dog about going to the vets.

Make some appointments at the vet where nothing needs to be done. Start with the vet just chatting, giving your dog a treat and home again. Next, if that goes well, the vet can touch your dog say on the collar and treat etc... Get to the point where your dog can be put up on the vet table and is happy and expecting a treat rather than shaking and expecting pain.

I know this sounds like a right faff and yes, you may need to go slow and do this quite a few times but as he is only 2 you have years and years to either reap the rewards of doing this now versus years of vet struggles 🙂

I have a "complex" dog (unknowingly came from a puppy farm, has had countless medical issues, behavioural issues, etc), who has every reason to hate the vet as much as he hates people in general...yet he absolutely loves going to the vet! The receptionists love him, he happily sits in the waiting room smiling at everyone, will jump onto the scales and sit down on command - honestly, you would believe he is a vet's dream! However, as soon as he trots into the consultation room, his "party hat" (muzzle) goes on, as he truly hates being touched, despite being trained to present different parts of his body, so it enables me to handle him confidently, safe in the knowledge that he is not going to bite me or the vet. He has a Baskerville muzzle, &, to start with I used to put a little bit of liver paste or peanut butter in it to get him to put it on. The main thing is that it is put on him quickly and confidently, though, as when he picks up on any hesitation his fear response goes into overdrive. I do not feel like a failure in any way, shape or form for having a dog that requires muzzling when put in stressful situations, though. As a result of using the muzzle, he doesn't fear the vet and comes out smiling every time. I can cuddle him as opposed to scruffing him, too, so he has positive associations & receives comfort from me when he is having anything done to him. I love the muzzle! He is also a doodle, so requires grooming every 6-8 weeks, and his groomer knows to muzzle him, too. He loves her, too, but grooming puts him over threshold and the muzzle ensures everyone's safety. Good luck, and don't feel bad about using a muzzle. It is a sensible precaution and benefits everyone, including your dog x

My cocker won’t tolerate his paws being examined etc and does anything he can to frustrate any vet examination, so he gets muzzled because it’s just not worth the risk.
Oddly perfectly fine with injections.

I often muzzle my cocker at the vets because he will growl when being examined and I’ve found the vets are quicker if the muzzle is on as they aren’t watching his head all the time. I’ve never done muzzle training but he doesn’t object to it.

Poor you and DDog, OP. Also been there but improved loads so have faith. As others have said, cooperative care / consent and desensitisation - and muzzle training as already suggested. Letting them know what’s about to happen eg saying paw, ear etc before touching (also condition this with treats and start v slow).

also try to see the same vet each time and to use a different room to the one(s) linked to bad experiences!