Vet aggression


  • every since Rocky got examined internally by the vet after being hit by a car he is absolutely aggressive to the vet. We can get him there but he goes absolutely demon voice and growling when we get there. They gave us medicine to give him….. 1 and 1/2 pills didn't work. They gave us 2 and 1/2 pills.... that didn't work. He got the muzzle off as soon as he saw where we were. I am SO frustrated. We asked the vet what the next step was and he said there wasn't one. He couldn't get close enough to give him a shot.


  • Does this behavior only happen at the vet? Is it specific to the vet office where he was treated after being hit by a car?

    A behaviorist may be able to help since it sounds like he will need to be worked with to help him get to a point where he can go to the vet again.


  • it is not the same vet…. it is any vet. we have moved and it has happened at the 2 vets we have tried.


  • Any chance that you have a moblie vet in the area that would come to your house? Do you know what they gave him? (the pills)


  • My friend Jean Skaggs suggest you set up good visits to the vet.
    Contact the desk staff and see if they will do the following.
    Let you know when the times are usually "slack"…then you drop off some yummy treat, diced chicken, nuked hot dogs, cheese, just yummy treats...
    Bring you boy in, the staff gives him treats and then you leave.
    Once he is ok in the office, see if the vet tecs will do this in the back treatment rooms.
    Right now, you boy sees vet as pain...and its totally understandable...so, now you must make the vet the disneyland of the basenji world...
    That is my advice.


  • I would probably add that if his growling in the parking lot before you actually even get in the building, if you can park somewhere where you can then walk him to the parking lot and give treats for just getting near the vets office. Then once he is comfortable just being outside the office then do as Sharron posted and work on just getting him comfortable in lobby, etc. It will probably take lots of small steps.

    Also, as Pat suggested a mobile vet that can come to you that may also be a way to go.


  • good advice. thanks. he is actually fine until the back office. i think it is the metal table.. crazy as that might sound


  • Not crazy at all…... the metal table... and maybe what you can do is have your vet's office let you take him back there... just give treats and leave.. don't even put him on the table... or cover the table with a blanket/towel...


  • Take a small rubber backed rug, like a bathroom rug, to put on the metal table, then it won't slip and he will have good footing, and the smell of home to comfort him. Combined with all of the above positive reinforcement and lots of 'drop in' vet visits.

    Anne in Tampa

Suggested Topics

  • My vet says my puppy is too aggressive

    Behavioral Issues
    51
    0 Votes
    51 Posts
    6k Views
    helle deviH
    @giira2121 as @donc said First off, if a vet thinks neutering will change aggressive behavior you should look for a new vet. That is such a discredited myth. If she doesn't know that what else doesn't she know? When considering whether to neuter, I'd suggest you check out the link below. It has scientific research to dispel many neutering myths. It's a brief but very thorough booklet discussing the pros and cons of neutering/spaying, more science based than anecdotal. https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet/ There is definitely less societal compulsion to spay/neuter in Europe.
  • 0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    R
    I have had 15 - 20 adult female basenjis over the years, and 2 was the age when it seemed like they became their 'true adult selves.' (spayed/neutered or not) I do not feel confident giving suggestions, just wanted you to know her age is typical for this to happen.
  • Aggressive peeing

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    nobarkusN
    I would start off with a vet visit, blood work and urinalysis to rule out any physical problems.
  • Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    And sometimes you have to "push" and/or demand for the complete test that is not usually done by the labs that your Vet might use…
  • Leash aggression??

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    basenjibratzB
    @Quercus: That sounds ideal! I do love the head collars…the ONLY drawback is so many dogs have fits when they wear them. But the control is awesome, particularly for reactive dogs. Glad it is working for you! Oh yes, Talker had a fit when he was younger and I tried the collar. I gave up because I felt so bad for him. I don't know what changed this time–whether I was calmer or he mellowed out or what, but he accepted the halti this time around and I'm loving it. There were so many times that he would be so anxious to be out walking that getting him to stop pulling was tiresome and the walks were not enjoyable. We were constantly stopping and starting and stopping and starting to re-adjust ourselves. Now, we just walk. Loving the halti!:)
  • Help with aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    L
    Some basenjis seem to have particular kinds of dogs they don't like. My Abbey is best friends with a rottweiller, a black lab, and a dalmation, but she hates golden retrievers! What do they go by, coat color?? She goes after anything that moves at the vet's though. My first basenji many years ago, Pumpkin, climbed trees to get after squirrels, and fences were no problem either.