Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Vet phobic dog - so stressed

40 replies

ThelastRolo20 · 24/04/2025 16:29

Hi all - really grateful for some advice/ thoughts/ sympathy.

I have a JRT cross who is 5, like a typically JRT he's not really a fan of being handled but having had him from a puppy I could trim his nails and get a harness on etc etc.

When he was 1.5 he got neutered and being COVID time I couldn't go in with him. Since then he hates, and is terrified of, the vets. We'd only go once a year for vaccs but they'd either sedate him (home medication did nothing), or towel over the head and jab.the sedation one was so they could also cut nails including dew claws which I found difficult to do.

Last year a different vet (but same practice) said I shouldn't have had him sedated - even though the vets suggested to do this! And he needed muzzle training - they had put one on him in one session.

So now, I have a dog that won't even let me trim his nails, hates a muzzle, hates the vets. I have tried weeks long of slow positive reinforcements, walking past the vets with treats to no avail.

I'm so stressed and stumped. I have no idea what to do now, I could handle the vets and towel over the head but they can't do his nails like that. It's really putting a shadow over having him and the vets have made me feel this is all my fault and aren't interested in helping.

Any ideas??

OP posts:
HoraceCope · 26/04/2025 07:47

dont worry about the receptionist
it is the vet that is the important person here

Original poster
ThelastRolo20 · 26/04/2025 07:51

@bridgetreillyah thank you - yes I think I'll need to do a lot of popping in and treats. It's amazing how much it can complicate things having a dog that dislikes vets so much.

@TwelveBlueSocksi said to my friend the other day I thought it was the dog equivalent of PTSD but you're right, I can't explain to him what's happening. It's awful as he shakes so much - he's so scared. I hope your son is okay, glad to hear it wasn't a castration 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
ThelastRolo20 · 26/04/2025 07:54

As is only fair - a picture of the terrified hound (incredibly outing as he's gorgeous - as all our furry friends are!)

Vet phobic dog - so stressed
OP posts:
Original poster
ThelastRolo20 · 26/04/2025 08:02

@HoraceCopeI agree but she seemed very reluctant to let me speak to a vet. It just wasn't an environment I felt suited to me and my dog. I'll try the different branch of my current vets though and see how we go

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 26/04/2025 10:47

If you can find a consent-based groomer, that is far better for a scared dog.

Twiglets1 · 26/04/2025 11:22

forgotactually · 24/04/2025 16:49

Have you considered a fresh start with a new vet?

This was my first thought too … OPs vet is making a hard situation worse.

MissMoneyFairy · 26/04/2025 14:49

ThelastRolo20 · 26/04/2025 07:42

@MissMoneyFairy I'm going to try some groomers over the next couple of weeks to see if they can do his nails - I've explained he's nervous so fingers crossed :)

Maybe they can distract him with food and make it fun, does he get on with other dogs OK and socialise.

Octocat · 26/04/2025 15:02

His ears are the same length as his legs! He’s an excellent dog.

Sooverthemill · 26/04/2025 15:13

We have a similar situation with a very distressed dog who won't allow any kind of interventions: nails, grooming, ear drops etc and it's causing us real issues. The current solution is to use sedation via oral meds night before and on morning of vet appointment and when his current illness is better we are going to see a behavioural specialist for him to work out how to desensitise him to these interventions. At present he can't even be groomed and he is matted and not a very happy dog. We think the situation arose from having an emergency overnight stay as a puppy and by the death of our older dog last year - he had always gone to groomer together and he had often gone to vet with him too. Am hoping we can learn how to remove the terror for him. He is 7

cheddarisbest · 26/04/2025 15:16

My ddog has become very anxious of the vet due to having her anal glands emptied twice yearly (can’t say I blame her!). Started to try and hide under car. As we’re a member of our vet’s Healthy Pets Club (vaccinations, etc) we get access to Cuddle Clinics. Can take ddog to vets as many time and as often as we want, where vet nurses will generally make a fuss, sit on floor, walk her around clinic, show stethoscope, lots of treats , etc. I’ve done this many times over the months and it’s really made a difference. I now just pop in, say Hi, quick treat and off again, just so that every visit isn’t a traumatic experience for her.

TwelveBlueSocks · 26/04/2025 17:31

@cheddarisbest That Cuddle Clinic sounds great. I wish they had one for children too.

bigknitblanket · 26/04/2025 17:37

Have you seen the bucket game? Might be worth you doing that with him, if he’s food motivated. Just to get him used to consenting to being touched (in conjunction with going to a different vet where you just take him in for fusses and treats to begin with)

TwelveBlueSocks · 26/04/2025 18:04

I told DS about the cuddle club and he is outraged. He objects strongly to medical treatment without informed consent and he says cuddle clubs followed by ambush without warning is not okay. I have no idea how you do informed consent for a dog.

bridgetreilly · 27/04/2025 01:54

TwelveBlueSocks · 26/04/2025 18:04

I told DS about the cuddle club and he is outraged. He objects strongly to medical treatment without informed consent and he says cuddle clubs followed by ambush without warning is not okay. I have no idea how you do informed consent for a dog.

Well, you make sure that the dog always has a way out. He’s never forced into anything. He is rewarded for the behaviour we want, but if he wants out, he’s rewarded for that too, so that he knows he doesn’t have to resort to biting to tell us to stop. He gets lots of breaks and we watch his body language closely to see when it’s getting too much for him. He now absolutely loves going to the groomer and generally lets her do anything she wants.

lionbrain · 27/04/2025 13:12

TwelveBlueSocks · 26/04/2025 18:04

I told DS about the cuddle club and he is outraged. He objects strongly to medical treatment without informed consent and he says cuddle clubs followed by ambush without warning is not okay. I have no idea how you do informed consent for a dog.

Bucket game see link in previous posts

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread