My Siberian/Wolf hybrid puppy growls everytime he's at the vet, he doesn't try to bite, but the vet doesn't want to look at him because he's part wolf, any suggestions on how to stop him from growling?
2006-12-04 15:43:04 · 12 answers · asked by blue_llusky 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You could muzzle him before he goes in the clinic door; you could take him to the clinic just for fun--bring treats for him, visit with the receptionists, let him get comfortable there before bringing him for his next doctor appointment; you could find a vet who makes house calls; or you could find a different vet clinic. Did he have a traumatic experience at this clinic? Has he been to puppy classes or other training? It's really important that you have him trained and socialized well!
Good luck!
2006-12-04 15:52:17 · answer #1 · answered by PennyPoodle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy has sensed that the vet is not comfortable with him!! That simple. Dogs can sense human emotion better than we can. There is a lot of profiling of wolf hybrids. Illegal in some states. Vets cannot treat. Vets don't want to.
You didn't say if you have been using vet long time or just with this pup? It's not working. Shop around and ask around for a new vet that isn't leery of hybrids and will treat your pup the same as any other breed.
You can even take your pup to visit different vet offices and see what reaction you get from staff. Is he that obvious a hybrid or just that the vet knows he is?? You might do better not to share all that info.
Some rescues that rescue hybrids and work with them have to be careful of the "profiling". Sometimes they are classified as just a Siberian mix to avoid problems with ignorant folks. Especially if they are sweethearts and the ratio of wolf is not a obvious safety concern.
Do your pup a favor, avoid the stress and find a vet that is more cool or just don't mention the "mix".
2006-12-05 00:00:29 · answer #2 · answered by pets4lifelady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, I would suggest finding a new vet. Any vet who's worth their salt should know techniques and methods for handling aggressive animals, regardless of their background. They should also never ask you to handle your own animal. The staff should be trained and comfortable handling whatever comes through the door. That being said, as the owner of a wolf hybrid, you need to be ultra vigilant in your socialization as well as your discipline. By discipline, I mean you need to make sure you establish yourself as the leader. If you are not a true leader, your dog will become the pack leader. A good socialization course should help your dog become more comfortable in new situations (which is what I suspect is his problem). Puppy kindergarten is a great way to start, but socialization, especially with a breed like this, has to go on the whole life of the dog. Best of luck, I grew up with a Malamute, and several Husky neighbors. The breed and type can be great companions, provided they get the support and structure they require.
2006-12-04 23:51:41 · answer #3 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably aren't going to stop the growling. This is the dogs way of defending himself and exerting his dominance.
With the smells of all of the other animals that the vet has treated on the vets clothes,your dog is feeling the need to prove his status.
You will probably find this behavior no matter which vet you take the dog to.
Most veterinary clinics have muzzles for safety and if your clinic does not,you probably should go to a pet supply store and purchase one yourself.
As a responsible pet owner,it is your responsiblility to make sure your dog doesn't bite the vet or anyone else.
I had a 1/2 chow 1/2 rotweiller mix that weighed 106lbs and because of his tendacy to think he ruled the roost I bought him a muzzle.
It was made from velcro. . a pet friendly muzzle and everybody was happy.
Ocassionally when I had to have his toe nails trimmed and he absolutely hated having anyone mess with his feet,I picked up a mild tranquilizer to give to hm just before we went to the vet and that made the vet visit easier too but I always used the muzzle to be on the safer side.
2006-12-04 23:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by Just Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, I would find a new vet. That is bizarre that he won't see him because he is part wolf and likes to growl. Secondly, he probably associates bad things with the vet. Maybe after you go to the vet (or before) you could take him for a walk or buy him a toy. If he associates nice things with going to the vet it might not be so bad. If that doesn't work and they are worried he might bite, buy a soft muzzle. I hate putting a muzzle on mine, but she nibbles and gnaws when she gets her nails clipped and she is a pretty big girl. The soft kind won't hurt him, just piss him off. :-)
2006-12-05 01:50:36 · answer #5 · answered by emmadropit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see any reason why your vet shouldn't see your dog. Being part wolf shouldn't make any difference. There are a lot of nasty plain, old regular dogs out there. Anyway...I'm not sure what to tell you about the growling. You could try muzzling him before taking him in to see the vet. That might make them feel better. You could also ask the vet to prescribe a mild tranquilizer, like Acepromazine. You give it about 3 hours before the vet visit. It doesn't completely knock them out, it just takes the edge off. They can still walk and everything.
2006-12-04 23:51:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This will be hard to get your dog to accept the vet. The wolf part of your dog is the part that is acting out becasue wolfs bond to the immediate family....or in your case, you and your family. Wolfs will protect their pack and you are part of your dogs pack.
You can either do one of the two following things:
1. Find another vet to see if your dog will accept this vet and be able to be treated.
2. You may have to have your vet give you a mild dose of medicine that will make your dog sleep like a light sleep or twilight sleep. Then the vet can treat your dog.
You need to be extra careful having any dog that has part wolf. As they mature they will become more aggressive...example:
A lady has had a dog that had mostly wolf in it, and raised it since it was a puppy. This dog was 8 years old and was becoming very aggressive twords her and her husband. I found a place in New mexico that has a wolf sanctuary that was able to take her dog for her, have her dog spayed and live on the sanctuary. It was either she had to put it to sleep as it could not be placed or adopted out to anyone due to its aggression, or find a sanctuary where her dog could live out her days happy and cared for.
Don't get me wrong, I love wolfs, but you have to be careful with having wolf mixed dogs as pets.
I hope this helps :-)
2006-12-04 23:56:41 · answer #7 · answered by Debbie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of Vets won't even see a dog who is part wolf. You could muzzle him to be safe. It would probably make everyone from the Vet down to the receptionist feel better. It's not mean, it doesn't hurt them and they suffer no ill effects from wearing one for a short period of time.
2006-12-05 03:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by blondeqtpie13 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd find another vet then report your 'now' vet to the veterinary
association of america, or the state in which you live.
He cannot refuse to treat or see your dog just because
he's part wolf, how ridiculous is that..and when you make a complaint against him it will be legally available to veiw by anyone. "and NO vet wants complaints against them" it's bad for business..
2006-12-05 00:57:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Muzzle him and take him to a compassionate vet. Good luck.
2006-12-05 00:29:37 · answer #10 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋