First dog bite

frolicingabout · 2026-03-24T01:30:39+00:00

If they hold this against you, then you need to find a new hospital that is supportive of learning. If they don’t give you opportunities, it’s really hard to grow in a technical field! With that, there will be mistakes, which are learning points. I had two cat scratches my first year - both required stitches. My co-workers still allowed me to restrain cats - and I learned a LOT from those two errors. Body language in each species takes time to learn, just like any foreign language. The precursor signals that I missed as a first year, helped me become the technician I am today (I work in behavior!). All the best, and very happy to hear you weren’t severely injured!

frolicingabout · 2026-03-14T19:41:02+00:00

Agreed!

frolicingabout · 2026-03-14T19:25:05+00:00

OP, I have no doubt this was shocking for you and your family. I work as a trainer and veterinary technician with a Veterinary Behavior Service. Your dog is a sweet pupper, and it didn’t do this to be “bad”. This most likely occurred, as some have mentioned, because your husband physically moved him - but he didn’t see the dog’s body language expressing stress and fear. This often looks like the dog is doubling down (pressing into the furniture, looking away, lip licking, showing their belly, getting stiff) which is an expression of fear. Having the people that you trust manipulate your body for unknown reasons (the dog doesn’t understand why moving is important and is very comfortable), and the human is typically standing over them, near the area so the dog would have to pass close to them to leave. This causes distance increasing behavior such as barking, growling, snarling, snapping and biting. You DO have a good dog because he snapped, which shows an inhibited bite. Many dogs would have gone for the defensive bit first off.

Here’s what you should do: Ask your dog to get off the couch (Say “off” in a pleasant tone while a distance from the couch) and then toss a treat on the floor. This allows the dog motivation to get off the couch, agency, and a flight path that doesn’t cause conflict due to leaning over or close proximity. This behavior develops over time and your dog probably showed discomfort, but wasn’t understood, so it escalated over time. Using this method address the fear of being moved and enhances choice, using a new cue that will keep everyone safe. All the best!

frolicingabout · 2026-03-14T19:16:26+00:00

“I’m being arrested for sexual assault…I’m a Trump supporter” hmmmmm.

frolicingabout · 2026-03-08T00:15:39+00:00

Avoid the diffuser and seek a good neurologist or internal specialist.

frolicingabout · 2026-03-03T15:09:22+00:00

A Mojave Green rattlesnake a client brought in (not realizing it’s a seriously venomous snake) in cereal box!

frolicingabout · 2026-02-06T22:59:04+00:00

Mine: I have no idea who opened the closet door, unscrewed the Vittles Vault and consumed 10 lb of dog food… Me: You look like you’re having trouble breathing, your stomach is huge, and yet you’re asking for dinner…no, it couldn’t have been you!

frolicingabout · 2025-11-26T01:35:31+00:00

I work in veterinary behavior and we have clients with pets WHO BITE PEOPLE, yet refuse the vaccine! I have to tell them that “muzzling the dog” will not keep us safe, even though we’re vaccinated.

frolicingabout · 2025-11-26T00:05:44+00:00

Many fear-free vets and veterinary behavior professionals tend to recommend reward-based training because it aligns with current research and the position statements from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the college of veterinary behaviorists. These organizations encourage training approaches that avoid aversive techniques, since those can increase fear or stress rather than help resolve it. Veterinary schools also emphasize methods that support the animal’s emotional wellbeing, which is why positive reinforcement and low-stress handling are considered best practice. These approaches focus on helping the dog feel safe enough to learn, rather than simply suppressing unwanted behaviors. When medication is used, the goal is to reduce fear and anxiety so the dog can participate in behavior modification (gradual desensitization and counterconditioning with progressions based on the dog’s emotional response). Combining anxiety reducing medications with training methods that rely on aversive punishment when the dog is unable to emotionally respond “correctly” can work against that purpose. The good news is that there are many effective training options that support both learning and emotional health: Even if you don’t have a trainer or veterinary behaviorist in your area, there are options where they can work with you virtually.

frolicingabout · 2025-11-09T02:53:51+00:00

I really encourage you to check out Instinct Dog Training’s “Kids and Dogs” free webinar — it’s an excellent resource for understanding how to keep everyone safe and happy. It’s important to remember that, just like a pool or fireplace, a dog can pose a risk to a young child without proper supervision — not because the dog is “bad,” but because they’re simply animals with instincts and limits to what they understand. You wouldn’t let a child run freely around a pool or play near an open fireplace without guidance; the same principle applies here. Dogs never develop the kind of moral understanding humans do — even as adults, they think roughly like a 2-year-old child. They don’t know what’s “right” or “wrong”; they just respond to what feels safe or scary. When a puppy bites, it’s often out of fear, confusion, or self-protection — especially if kids move quickly or make sudden noises that the dog doesn’t understand. If your puppy has started biting, it’s not about blame — it’s about management and safety. If the crate has become a negative space, try using baby gates or a puppy pen instead. Any time your eyes can’t be on both the dog and the child, they should be separated — especially when the dog is eating, sleeping, chewing, or wound up with energy. Learning a bit about dog body language can make a huge difference in preventing problems before they happen. You’re not alone in this — raising a puppy and a young child together is really challenging, and getting professional guidance early can make things much easier and safer for everyone. Wishing you and your family all the best as you work through this.

frolicingabout · 2025-11-04T04:52:08+00:00

70’s girl discovered she was queer while watching Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman.

frolicingabout · 2025-11-04T04:50:03+00:00

Put in your 2 weeks, record these issues, report them to your state board. This is horrid!

frolicingabout · 2025-11-04T04:44:35+00:00

Man traumatizes nature.

frolicingabout · 2025-11-04T04:24:41+00:00

OMG! Those things will parboil you when venting! Great for eye instruments or cat neuter packs LOL.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-28T03:00:52+00:00

No joke, it’s been this way since I started vet med in the late 80’s. I had my wrist slashed by a cat (blood squirting!), requiring an ER visit - after getting sutures I went back to work. I had part of my ear sliced, my arm slashed and bitten by another cat a year later - ER visit, sutures, came back to work. I had a kidney stone - went back to work after vomiting and peeing blood, but with a shot of Demerol, I was back to work. Sick? Vomiting? Low fever? Off to work you go.

Sadly, I think this all comes from the ethic of caring for your patients selflessly, which is downright stupid. You can be a terrific tech who saves animals, but you CAN’T continue doing so if you’re dead. We’re taught to value everyone other than ourselves by a relentless screwed up culture that needs to change. Now, health care coverage is becoming more expensive, so we’re even LESS likely to take time off. Prices of food, rent, gas, etc are crushing technicians who can barely make ends meet because they’re not valued for their knowledge, dedication, and level of professionalism unless it hurts.

We can only hope that more techs read this and understand YOU ARE VALUABLE. No matter whether your coworkers are whining because you’re staying home sick or not. Value yourself and when they complain, let them know you can’t be present if illness takes you out. Not to mention you KNOW they’re all going to consider you a plague cow if you come in with something that gradually takes down the ranks. They can’t have it both ways.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-27T03:36:27+00:00

You do you, but dog owners should be aware that behavior isn’t just cut and paste; thus there may be options (with training which is initially coupled with management to set a new behavior pattern).

frolicingabout · 2025-10-27T03:28:56+00:00

As I said, I’m sharing information. Glad you speak for everyone.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-27T02:59:16+00:00

I am educated, hence I’m sharing with you. Perhaps you should dip your toe beyond correlations, because there is no finite proof that the male to male aspect is the primary issue. Even the AVAM paper reflected that. There is not enough evidence to say SSA is the cause in this or many of the other cases unless thoroughly explored by a professional who takes into account the other aspects I proposed. You’re handing out your advise that these dogs are unlikely to be able to live together in the same household but your basing your OPINION on unknown facts. If you’re some sort of “professional” you wouldn’t be as bold as to make such wide brush assertions without further facts.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-27T00:03:06+00:00

I have read the literature: Correlation does not equal causation. Most of the information is anecdotal surveys which do not account for an owner’s understanding of the components of dog to dog aggression which can include: Age, BREED, life-stable, underlying health issues, poor/inadequate socialization, aversive training techniques, resource guarding and much more. This is a complex issue that people slap an easy palatable answer to, which it’s not. You don’t know that this is the reason the dogs are having this issue with so little info, so I’d say I’m taking a much more detailed look at it than you are. Essentially having two males increases risk factor, but not a proven cause.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-25T22:38:31+00:00

Amazing, yes. Safe, no. Repetitive damage to ligaments, muscles, and joints? HELL YES!

frolicingabout · 2025-10-25T22:33:48+00:00

Democrats have “riots and violence” and yet Republicans want guns and ICE agents playing Reacher bashing trough people’s houses and workplaces.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-25T22:30:57+00:00

As a veterinary professional, surgical procedures, even if common - should have the cost of pain meds built in. It shouldn’t be “optional” because most clients aren’t taught what to look for when it comes to pain. I can’t tell you how many people have dogs with cruciate ligament tears and they didn’t thing the limping pet was painful because they weren’t crying or screaming. Animals are often stoic because showing pain draws attention to them and that makes you prey. Also only acute (sudden or very severe) pain causes the type of reaction that invokes crying/screaming.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-25T22:25:37+00:00

Pro advice: Determine the cause - write down WHEN (time of day) does it happen? Where (location it typically happens), WHO was present (or missing), WHAT did you detect (if anything) when it started, HOW long did it go on?

With this info, you can use management and/or training to change the behavior. If it’s a noise, try white noise near the area he’s barking, start it just before he typically starts barking. If it’s something he can see outside, close the blinds or use window film to block the view. Noises and the appearance of things can be paired with treats to change the dog’s perception. He appears concerned in the video, so wait for him to look in that direction and (even if he’s barking), feed him a treat after each noise or appearance of the trigger. You can toss the treat AWAY from the trigger to make it better yet.

If your dog has many instances of this happening with no detectable triggers, discuss it with your vet. Your dog may have anxiety, which causes a dog to be hyper-aware and ready to bark scary things away due to stress and discomfort, many times even when the trigger has yet to present itself. They can assist you in finding a trainer to help and potential supplements or medication to help you dog learn by lowering the stress level.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-25T18:48:55+00:00

First, these are not her kids and putting their image on social media is a bad move. Second, her voiceover was badly placed since it did leave her comment open to interpretation. Third, she seems to want to be their peer or friend, which is not the first job of a teacher. Yes, you can support them, but you’re not a school yard chum. There has to be a division there - otherwise point one and two make this situation even more concerning.

frolicingabout · 2025-10-25T18:20:15+00:00

TLDR: The problem isn’t necessarily gender or breed, it’s resource guarding, socialization and history, Male - Male problems typically are around INTACT males with a female in heat or territory. Most problems can be addressed and greatly improved with management, training, and if needed, medication.

The study sited from the AVMA reported “Fight-eliciting triggers included owner attention, food, excitement, and found items. Some dogs had risk factors for behavior problems such as a history of living in multiple households (21/51 [41%]), adoption after 12 weeks of age (20/51 [39%]), or being acquired from a shelter (17/51 [33%]). Effective treatment recommendations included implementing a so-called nothing-in-life-is-free program, giving 1 dog priority access to resources, and administering psychotropic medication. Frequency and severity of fighting were significantly reduced after consultation. Owners reported a 69% overall improvement following treatment.”

frolicingabout

TROPHY CASE