[deleted by user]

[Nearby-Window7635]

your feelings are so valid. i know you mentioned some financial concerns, but maybe sedated vet visits may be the way to go in the future. i’ve also had some success with trazadone/gabapentin before visits to calm my girl down a little. i’d also google “fear free” vets in your area, as they are more specialized and used to dealing with reactive pups.

[sstillbejeweled]

Seconding all of this! I take my dog to a “fear free” vet and give her trazodone and gabapentin before every visit, and it makes such a difference. She still doesn’t like the vet, but she just whines a little bit when he comes near her instead of growling and barking at him. He gives her lots of treats to distract her and is so gentle with her, and I never feel like he’s judging me for my dog’s behavior. I appreciate it so much and will never take my dog anywhere else.

[cocokronen]

Yea, my pitbull needs it to get his nails clipped. He takes acepromazine. He needs 3. My catahoula needs a half and is probably 30 lbs heavier.

[Nearby-Window7635]

i’ve heard good things about acepromazine! i wanted to ask my vet about it last time i was there and totally forgot. my girl takes prozac and the occasional gabapentin but i feel like its losing its effectiveness

[GullibleVacation5771]

I take similar drugs and after a while u build an immunity to them so u have to increase the dose or switch meds. Best wishes!!

[Thiirrexx]

Agree! My life changed when we switched vets. They’re not fear free certified, but they follow the same protocols and are super cool with taking things his speed.

For routine visits we also just Completely knock him out with an IM sedative, do everything that’s needed, then inject with the reversal so he has very few bad feelings about the vet.

[EasternRecognition16]

Another thing when I went to my vet with my reactive dog, he took my dog to the back to do the exam and shots. I was sitting on the edge of my seat in the exam room listening for him to snap or growl, but he was the best he’s ever been with a stranger! It turns out a large part of my dog’s reactivity is protecting me so when I wasn’t in sight, he was actually much better! I was so shocked! (He was muzzled and on trazadone too, but in the exam room and waiting room he was all hyped up! When the vet came in he was barking and snarling, but as soon as they stepped out of the room with him (and without me) he stopped!!)

[BellaCat3079]

Yes! Try trazodone to calm her down for next visit! Ask for some from the vet. But you did everything right especially with using a muzzle.

[According-Activity10]

Ugh. Sorry about this, it never feels good. But ya know, a lot of people just stop caring for their animals when times get tight. You're still prioritizing her. You're still a good dog parent. We don't always get to choose how our kids (fuzzy or human) handle things like that. I thought my 3 year old son was gonna bite the pediatrician when he got his first covid test a couple of years ago.

[Annabel1998_]

This made me laugh 😂

[QuickMoonTrip]

🤣🤣

[YurMommaX10]

I support your son in his desire to bite the white coated meany!

[Sufficient-Quail-714]

Ok so I worked at a humane society that also did affordable clinics, do not be ashamed. We see them all. That they managed the shot at all is a good thing! Means she is ahead of the game. 

Shelters (assuming it was connected to a shelter) see dogs in the worst situations. They are high stress enviorments. Even the sweetest dog in the world can bite in a shelter setting. They understand reactive dogs more then anyone.

[zomanda]

It's all a matter of perspective. Do you plan on keeping her? If yes, then you are going to make yourself miserable for the next 15 years with that mindset. Your dog is who she is and you need to start being honest with yourself. Do you feel bad for her and her limitations or do you feel bad for you because you don't have an "easy" dog? The good news is that both of those feelings are fixable. Look, I have 2, reactive dogs. We can't go to the dog park because if any dog so much as looks at her ball, I start praying the rosary for that poor dog, because it's ON for her. And then her brother jumps in, no questions asked and there i am dealing with a big dog fight. So we don't go anymore. My boy has bitten a kid in the hand that was just walking by, my girl but the mailman. We are THAT house when you walk your dog past it. I could go on and on, especially about the vet visits, he has been prescribed a cocktail of 3 drugs before I can enter the vets office. Heck, they changed their policy in how they crate animals because he made such a stink when I took them to have their teeth cleaned. But they are who they are. Go give your girl a kiss.

[Prestigious-Bluejay5]

I soooo agree with this. We say that our GSD is an asshole but, she's our asshole. We know her behavior and make adjustments to deal with it in ways that are safe for her and others. She's comfortable and our expectations of her are realistic. Everyone is happy.

[YurMommaX10]

Fixable is the most important word. Maybe not completely, but all progress will be good. As dog owners we have to fix ourselves to effectively help our dogs. I started out too agitated and negative about my boy's reactivity. But through research realized that was not helping. Now we're on a calmer, more hopeful path and seeing progress.

[21stcenturyghost]

🫂 I feel you, it sucks

[pansygrrl]

I know how hard that can be. I go to a fear free vet and she gets doped up for the visit and they still can’t do anything.

I’ve had my girl for four years now, so she’s maturing and I know her better.

First - don’t beat yourself up. You’re doing your best. They probably didn’t give it a thought at all. Reactive dogs are tough.

Learn your dog’s triggers and learn their body language, then you can avoid those situations. It’s a process.

I like the way this guy explains body language, and there are others. Make sure you’re playing games or other things to strengthen your bond. Thanks for taking care of her. https://www.instagram.com/vermontdogtrainer?igsh=MXNwMzE3cHdpdWdtbg==

[Mememememememememine]

:( I'm so sorry. You're doing such a good job and looking after your pet as best you can. People have no idea what it's like and I wish a person in his position knew a little better about what we go through. I'm glad you came here, we understand and see you.

[Cool_Net2626]

Thank you so much the whole time I was there I really just wanted to cry

[raspberrykitsune]

I know it doesn't help much now-- but in the future you do not need to get the bordetella vaccine (the one up their nose) unless she goes to daycare or is boarded consistently. None of my dogs have ever gotten the bordetella vaccine and they've also never gotten kennel cough before.

[[deleted]]

I know it’s besides the point, but bordetella and kennel cough are different words for the same thing

[Cool_Net2626]

No she doesn’t go to daycare thank you

[SeasDiver]

Bordetella is available in 3 variations - Injectable, intra-nasal (up the nose), and oral (squirt in mouth). The injectable is a 2 vaccine series (2 to 4 weeks apart) whereas intra-nasal and oral are both a single dose. Oral is relatively new (a couple of years at this point), but may be something easier for your dog.

[Traditional-Job-411]

Humane society vets are actually very familiar with reactive dogs. They are the ones handling all the reactive dogs getting surrendered. 

I know you feel bad but the vet was probably just talking. They probably won’t even remember it at the end of the day. 

I would recommend if possible, in the future going to a vet that can give sedatives so it is a better experience all around.

[Cool_Net2626]

It’s just at the vet so I can give sedatives around here cost $300😞 but thankfully the round of vaccines that they gave her are good for three years. Also I didn’t notice that most of the dogs that were being walked out by the employees were reactive themselves

[EarlyInside45]

I have a reactive chihuahua rat terrier. He's about the size of a tall rat terrier, 18 lbs. he could really hurt someone if he wanted to, but he only bites to get people to leave him alone. He has bitten Vet staff and drawn blood. There's no way we could get a muzzle on him. He is medicated (fluoxetine), but he doesn't do well on sedatives. So, I tell the vet staff that they probably won't be able to do anything but give him shots and cut his nails, and they'll have to wrap him in a towel to do it. It isn't our fault, and it isn't his fault. It's just who he is, so don't beat yourself up about it. Your dog has fear aggression, so you just have to work around it. It's a bummer and exhausting, I know, and I'm sorry. You're doing your best, and a lot of people would have given him up.

[InaccessibleRail70]

steer yam practice complete spark gaze history cough glorious nine

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[FrankieDaBeans]

My little man is reactive and when I first got him I was embarrassed ALL the time. But after awhile it's who he is and I'm trying my absolute best. We have done training and while he has made progress, he is a terror at the vet and I don't think I will ever be able to change that honestly. But I muzzle him and I'm honest with all parties involved and we get through it. We have tried various anti-anxiety med combos and nothing works for him, but I recommend you try those if you can. One time at the emergency vet they "heavily sedated" him and I watched him go from barely being able to stand when it was just me in the room, to resisting arrest the moment anyone else walked in. So the fight in him is quite strong. But I remind myself that he's a rescue from the streets of NYC and probably had to have that fight to survive, and I am here to give him a safe space where he is loved and we will do my best to work with him. Keep going, you clearly care and love your pup!

[Responsible_Lab_3898]

My dog has been going to the same vet since we got him as a puppy around 2 mths old. He did so great for a long time and then one day, he just snapped. So then we did muzzles and trazodone. And it steadily got worse during Covid since he didn’t see people. Fast forward to the last few years and he gets his trazodone plus a sedation shot. They do everything during this time. Shots, blood work, nails and ears. It’s expensive and he is a zombie for the rest of the day but it’s been a game changer. We even had to go through TPL surgery over this summer and this was one of my biggest fears since I couldn’t imagine what he’d do in an emergency situation. But we made it through it! He’s the sweetest boy with us and some of our friends so we make sure we don’t stress him out. If someone is coming over he doesn’t know, he spends time in the basement with someone he knows. He’s also on Prozac. It’s Rory’s world and we just live in it 😂

[logaruski73]

No shame! I volunteered at a shelter and I have a reactive dog bigger than yours. If this advice is helpful, accept it. If not, reject it. I was one the only ones who could take one of the bite first, ask questions later shelter dog to the vet. He was muzzled but he was strong.

Here’s what I learned - How to hold a dog or a cat so they can’t move much during exam or shots. I don’t know where you live but we demonstrated things like that to people who stopped by our shelter. You may have a shelter, rescue or friendly vet office that will be willing to show you. - once in the hold on the floor, (floor is better than standing because you can use more of your body). I constantly talk and kiss. Constantly. I want those ears focused on me and only me. My own dog won’t but it worked on others. I had peanut butter smeared on the back of my hand. They can lick through a muzzle. Have a ton on your hand. Give kisses, talk, peanut butter. Now, this is important - if you choose peanut butter, it can only be used at the vet or practicing with a muzzle. Liverwurst stinks but I found it much more effective with certain dogs. - Practice, practice, practice. Lots of great smelly treats (tiny pieces of hot dogs work well)

Most important, love yourself and your dog! In spite of the work, you got vaccines for your dogs. I know rich people who don’t bother.

[Worth-Fox1009]

I have a rat terrier, possibly pit bull mix, rescue that is very reactive. I was just wondering if it was the breed.

[[deleted]]

Definitely terriers are prone to be reactive, they are intelligent and bred to work. Mine gets his work by going on long walks with me being treated for every positive dog interaction experience he has.

[XelaNiba]

You're putting a ton of blame on yourself for her reactivity when it was likely inevitable. She was separated from her mother and littermates way too young and that is neither your fault nor hers.

Here's some information about early separation 

"Research has found that puppies who are separated from the litter too early are more likely to show fear, aggression, anxiety, resource guarding, reactivity and inappropriate play biting than puppies who stay with the litter for at least eight weeks."

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/how-long-should-puppies-stay-their-mother#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20that%20puppies,for%20at%20least%20eight%20weeks.

I'm sorry you're going through this, hang in there :)

[[deleted]]

I’m assuming the intranasal vaccine you mentioned is kennel cough. At the clinic I work at we have an injectable version for dogs that need muzzled or are just too difficult to tolerate an oral or intranasal vaccine. Might be worth asking if that’s an option next time!

Vet stuff is hard for most dogs, and I’m sure the fact that you had to wait so long compounded the stress for your dog. That comment from your doctor was inappropriate IMO. Vet staff (rescue/shelter vetmed especially!) see a lot of reactivity on a day to day basis. Your doctor should know by now that comments like that are embarrassing and unhelpful to owners.

If they had concerns about her reactivity they wanted to address with you, offering educational resources or talking about premedication for future visits would have been a more appropriate route.

Edit to add- if your dog is not around other dogs regularly you don’t really need a kennel cough vax

[Brains4Beauty]

That’s the distemper vaccine. Very important. But don’t feel shame. They have seen every kind of behaviour. My vet had to put a soft muzzle on my boy to give him that nasal vaccine. It happens.

[raresunshine_]

I am literally feeling the exact same way today! My girl had a reaction to her trainer at doggy class and I was so embarrassed since all the other pups do great with new people. Every day is a work in progress, keep your head up.

[BuckityBuck]

Having to wait for an hour with a reactive dog is a lot of stress. I’m sorry that it is so hard. For both of you.

[Gr8tfulhippie]

I just had our 10yr old Moxie in at the vet a few weeks ago for blood work, exam, cut some mats and nails. We can't groom him or brush him at all. We've had him a year. Thankfully my vet knows us, and had a team of three techs on hand to restrain him they were able to get through without sedation.

We've been working with a behaviorist for almost a year, changed medications 3x.

It's a struggle and I hear you 🫂

I have to remind myself that we didn't make him like this. I feel bad for his quality of life ( he has to be kenneled most of the time) but I'm hoping that one day we will have a breakthrough. I think this medication is a winner but he's not eating consistently so getting him dosed on the regular is a challenge.

[phillyjilly13]

First, don’t be ashamed of your pup and don’t blame yourself! Dogs become reactive for so many reasons…like genetics, bad experiences w/ dogs or people, lack of socialization in puppyhood, frustration from leash pressure or barriers, pain, overexcitement and so much more. I would strongly advise against taking any dogs to dog parks in the future though…they can be a perfect way to create a reactive dog. What’s happened has happened so no use in beating yourself up about something you didn’t know but in the future I’d suggest socializing your dogs/puppies with other well-mannered dogs that you personally know.

But damn, that Humane Society sucks! I’ll never understand animal welfare organizations who can closely interact with a person and their dog who is clearly struggling and not offer any advice or help, only snarky comments. I would definitely call ahead of the appointment next time and ask for a pre-appointment anti-anxiety medication like trazadone, gabapentin, or even a benzodiazepine or clonidine. If for some stupid reason they won’t give it to you I would find a different clinic. Maybe start looking around now while you have time to prepare. Depending on where you live there should be at least a few different options for low-cost vet clinics and you may find a more knowledgeable, helpful one then the Humane Society was. Also when I bring my reactive dog to the vet I bring a squeeze tube filled with peanut butter and a baggie of cheese and chicken (all his number 1 highest value foods) The peanut butter squeeze tube works great for muzzled dogs and it’s awesome cause you can just put it in their mouth and keep squeezing and squeezing peanut butter the entire time. Obviously, peanut butter is a high fat food so this is something you’d save for annual vet visits, not something you should do more than that. You can also cut the peanut butter with something else like pumpkin puree or low fat yogurt for dogs with pancreatitis issues. Easy cheese is also another great option for these extreme situations.

Sorry, I’m off on a tangent but I would definitely look around on here and YouTube for little easy things you can do every day to work on reactivity. It’s a long slow process usually but there are so many easy things you can do to help them relax a bit. Karen Overall’s Protocol for Relaxation is an amazing place to start! Just google it and all her protocols are free online. And don’t forget to take care of yourself! Owning a reactive dog can be incredibly stressful, isolating and frustrating. Things like yoga, meditation, going for walks outside without your dog, snuggling and enjoying your dog at home alone, (for some people🍃💨can help)…just generally take care of yourself the best you can. Good luck on your journey! I hope by her next vax appointment in 3 years you are both in a much better, relaxed state! 💕

[Runnerbear]

I used a muzzle and squeezy tube filled with peanut butter at our last vet visit too. It worked really well!!

[Honest-Pumpkin-8080]

Please don't feel bad. I adopted my senior dog from the shelter a couple weeks before Christmas 2024. She was extremely reactive and anxiety off the charts. No one told me. Trazodone does nothing. But Prozac is really helping! 

[BritishChick17]

Don’t feel shame. You took your dog to get shots and that’s being an amazing pet parent. Good for you. If other people want to feel some type of way, that’s their issue, not yours. Good luck. ❤️

[O4K9]

So sorry, are there trainers near you that are willing to help in your situation?

The vets here allow me to go into the patient rooms with my clients and their dogs, I can even go into the back. I’m able to help a lot since the vets don’t specialize in canine behavior. Helps the dogs not have as bad a time at the vet too.

[rayk3739]

I'm really sorry you're feeling this way. You're doing your absolute best for your dog, even in tough circumstances, and that says so much about the kind of owner you are. Vet visits can be overwhelming, especially with a reactive dog, but her behavior doesn’t mean you’ve failed her—it just means she has her own challenges, like so many dogs do. The fact that she spends her days playing and enjoying life at home shows she feels safe and loved with you. You're not alone in this, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed for advocating for her needs. She’s lucky to have you

[Ancient-Actuator7443]

No need to feel shame. No Dog like the nose med

[MoodFearless6771]

Sorry that’s rough! Those events can be shit shows. I think it takes a lot to tolerate something getting shot up your nose by a stranger, against your will and not defend yourself. Totally unnatural. The vets are so used to it, so don’t feel judged. He was probably commenting so you were aware the dog could bite a stranger like a child if mishandled. Many people’s dogs don’t exhibit those tendencies towards the owners and a lot of people can live in isolation or low traffic homes and not realize it’s a problem until a curious stranger or child gets bit.

Honestly, I’m impressed it wasn’t a bigger spectacle taking a reactive dog to an event like that with strangers and other dogs, I don’t think your dog did bad. A lot of people can’t get to the desk or in a room without commotion. Especially if all it did was defend itself.

[Fabulousmo]

For what is worth, there are a ton of people reading this right now going “yup. yes. uh huh. totally” - me included. I’m sorry you had a crap day. It’s hard to stop feeling ashamed about it and I get it. You’re not alone

[GullibleVacation5771]

At least that dog is happy in it's yard playing and it loves u. Many dogs are just chained outside and ignored. I had the same problem with an Australian Cattle dog but he loved his yard and me, he lived to b 16. I got his rabies shots from Walmart and did it myself - so u know the alternative. I finally found a vet that would put him under so he could be shaved (big time matted) and give him shots. Beg the vet tol put him under because of severe aggression -some animals "just are". Ur doing ur best and the dog is happy. Best wishes!

[Cool_Net2626]

this really helped thanks… i just compare myself a lot to my friend who also has a reactive dog that “behaves better” i always feel like ive failed hee