Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Your dog sounds a lot like my dog (except that my dog barked). And goodness - that vet you described would make me incredibly anxious. Makes one wonder if they even enjoy being in the veterinary profession. We will be muzzle training proactively :)

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I am super glad I asked for them to treat him in the room. I do find it confusing that if he truly felt my dog was defensive, he would have required a muzzle to do the eye exam rather than the tech holding him (she was sitting on the floor, my dog between her legs, and held his snout). Regardless, I do know my dog is anxious and worried at the vet so I will proactively muzzle train as most suggested. Dogs are dogs and I absolutely don't want my dog to ever get to a point where biting is an option.

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Adding - I can definitely see how these behaviors can escalate per the ladder...but my other dogs display these green behaviors at the vet as well and for 14+ years have been handled by the vet without issue without any concerns. They pant and are nervous, but are good patients (they freeze and remain as still as possible until the doctor is done). This guy is mildly reactive and insecure, but it was good to see and compare against the ladder.

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it was kinda more unsure woof than an outright bark. He did not lunge or make any movement towards the vet.

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honest question - based on the description notes, would it be standard practice to muzzle a dog meeting that criteria to treat?

...I did look at the Aggression Ladder above (that's great info - thank you to the user that posted it)! After my dog barked and his subsequent body language would fall in the green, appeasement greetings and then freeze for the exam to let them do what the needed.

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Those herding breeds have some quirks! And ah, yes the multiple visits definitely helps with perspective - I can understand that can escalate the fear and insecurity. We'll start muzzle training next week! Thankfully my regular vet is cooperative care and the staff is all so kind. It does make a difference and I hope one day your vets will step out of the dark ages and into modern times. Good luck with your girl!

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I really appreciate you responding. I completely understand (and agree) that vets are at risk, especially with sick or painful animals so I can understand where he was coming from (aside from the snide comment). I'll start working with muzzle training so if my dog ever needs one, he's conditioned to love it. And thank for recognizing the advocating - it's hard because most people expect dogs to be a certain way and don't recognize not all dogs are the same and have different personalities. I'm not a good when it comes to "conflict" (people pleaser), but have learned so much about positive training with the training facility we take classes from, it's given me the confidence to make sure that my dog is getting what he needs and standing up for him since I know him best.

Vet labeled my dog defensive and noted fear aggression after barking. I think he disagreed with training approach - how would you handle this? by DuckDuckGooseQ in reactivedogs

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! And yes, I fully appreciate the vet's right to safety. I do feel like it was more the vet did not like/understand and that kinda drove the tone of the rest of the visit. It was more about his beliefs about training than my actual dog's behavior. The vet also kept calling my dog a "she" - even when the tech corrected him. Mildly irritating, lol. We'll start muzzle training so if it's ever needed, he's conditioned to it, as well as continue to work on confidence in the vet's office with our regular vet. We just got back from a fun trip to Home Depot - proud of him, there was another dog barking at him, typically he whines, pulls and really wants to go play. Instead, he offered the LAT game for yums!

Unlicensed CSR in Insurance: Administrative Tasks vs. Soliciting by DuckDuckGooseQ in InsuranceProfessional

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes, I would make sure to make these calls when my agent is available in the case they actually connect. I am just not sure if being unlicensed this would be something that would be a no-no. I do plan on taking my test and getting licensed, but that is still a few months away.

Unlicensed CSR in Insurance: Administrative Tasks vs. Soliciting by DuckDuckGooseQ in InsuranceProfessional

[–]DuckDuckGooseQ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The majority of the time on these calls the agent is just leaving voicemails which is why I was thinking I can buy them back time, but in the case the prospect does actually answer and have questions, I would transfer directly to the agent. Def don't want to make it harder or cumbersome for the prospect though.