Smudge and his vet visits.

[Silaria]

I'm gonna chime in with everyone else - take him on some fun rides in the truck, even if it is just around the block. Praise and treat him while he's in the truck calm and quiet. With this he should start associating the truck rides with fun instead of just the vet.

 

[MisfitBrian]

As to the crate question - my truck is way too small. A pet taxi was large even for my truck. I don't have a backseat and it's all one big front seat.

Have you looked at the small soft-sided crates? If I remember, they were smaller than the plastic or metal ones. They just pop-up. It would basically just be something to enclose the pup to make them feel safer.

 

[Noneeds4me]

Just please be sure that if you sit in the car like that...you put the windows down some for ventilation. I've always heard that sitting in a parked car with the engine on...and/or air-conditioning, and/or heater is a very dangerous thing, and I imagine especially so for animals. I know everybody hears about terrilbe stories of dogs left in cars on hot days...and even with windows cracked they can die pretty quickly...but you don't hear much mention of sitting in a car with the engine running being bad for adults/children, and animals. It has something to do with "carbon monoxide" coming from the running engine...if I remember right? I also agree that making the car rides a positive thing should do the trick. Eventually, it won't always be to the vet, so show him car rides are also for "good" things ;-)...., and if you can manage even a drive around the block, and maybe a trip through Arby's or somewhere like that for him...he'd get the idea pretty darn quickly ;-).. Also, more than just 1x a week...that would be great. You don't have to buy him dinner (lol) each time...that special treat will just have to keep him guessing and hoping ;-). I think he needs more than just a once a week "outing" though.. He's a smartie pants! He'll catch on very quick. He's probably testing his "authority" with you now. He's getting to that age..lol

 

[Crystal1]

I am more concerned that Smudge was aggressive towards you. I once was given a dog from my family--the puppy had been bought for my Mother to keep her company. She had cancer and had to quit her job. Unfortunately, My Mother was very, very sick from the treatment and NOBODY had time to do anything but feed and water the dog in the backyard. After 2 1/2 years my Mother died and my Dad didn't want the the dog. I brought the dog home with me and found it to be very aggressive. She slept in bed with me and would growl if I moved in my sleep. I would dry her off with a towel, when she came in after the rain and she would snarl at me.

I took her to a very good and well known trainer that had experience with aggressive dogs. We had group and personal sessions. This went on without improvement for a couple of months. I was trying to do some of the homework the instructor gave me and had the dog on a leash. She attacked me and was going for me good (my sister picked up her daughter and went to the bedroom and locked the door, she was so scared). I managed to get my fist near the end of the leash, picked up the leash and swung the dog in circles. Eventually, she passed out. Later, the trainer told me she couldn't recommend further training and the dog needed to be put down. The trainer was in her 50's and this was the second time in her life that she recommended that.

The most important thing she taught me was to never, ever let your dog get away with aggressive behavior towards you. If your dog growls at you in an aggressive way, you need to stop everything and show the dog who's boss.
Put your hand on both sides of his ruff, lifting him up so that his feet don't touch the floor, get in his face while showing your teeth, and give him a very harsh growl. He might pee on you, but he will definitely get your message.

If you think this will cause him stress, you're wrong. They have tested dogs and found that the Alpha dog has the most stress, is less happy, and doesn't live as long. Dogs want you to be in control.

Okay, I know I'm going to get some arguments on this, but remember that if he becomes too aggressive towards you, you might have to put him down.

 

[Ariel]

Jessica, I think you've got a good plan. One thing to keep in mind is that Smudge is smart and he'll quickly figure out that if he's in a truck that doesn't move, everything is okay. When it moves, it's going to the vet.

So your plan of taking him out in a moving truck is what will make him realize it doesn't always go to the vets. But starting out by taking him to the truck is great. Small steps.

Also, Crystal has a very good point. I wouldn't be surprised if he growls at you again, and this needs to be addressed immediately.

 

[jazzyfizzle]

Great advice and posts from everyone. I agree, I would address the growling issue immediately as it happens and not tolerate, and I also would have no problem 'scruffing' in this case. Of course, it goes without saying that this would not involve any type of physical pain or abuse, but a grab of the scruff immediately after the growl- and showing him that no matter what is going on (even if it is something he hates), just who is in charge here.
I think you are lightyears away from any thought of putting him down, but I would get a handle on the situation right away.
Could you fill me in on what the vet has determined? I know I had posted on FB about the biopsy, did they do a biopsy of the affected area? If they haven't, you might want to really consider it- if you can afford to do so. (not exactly sure of the price- I think up here runs about 100-200?)
If he would have DM, it can cause much skin and muscle pain, even for brushing- even on the non-affected areas. Think of something like MS in humans. So that could be a cause of his growling- pain that you are unaware of.
(Disclaimer: I know a bit about DM because a young male sheltie I brought in once, ended up having it- we know this because he was taken back home w/ his breeder and had biopsy after showing physical symptoms. I know he had a great deal of pain, even when being brushed gently. )

 

[mbfrench]

No argument from me

My response to the incident,,as I certainly did not want a firestorm to start with emails,with the thought that I am mishandling or mistreating Earnhardt.

If I personally was faced with an agressive dog,you want to better believe I would have the upper hand.No questions.Since I am the one at the end of the leash in control.

Back when Earnhardt was being trained with a trainer for duck & dove,I saw first hand what the trainer did. And believe me,at the time Earnhardt's attention span was about 1" long. He was wooo hoo tada over his head some times, off in lala land.(typical lab puppy antics)
But when that trainer got Earnhardts attention,by either snapping his silly butt around using the leash..Earnhardt quickly learned who was boss.

It would have to be a very serious behavior problem,for someone to even suggest putting a dog down. And to be totally honest..Smudge is a puppy,and you are a great mom to him. What he did today to you,was probably a real shock to you.He's testing the waters.

But certainly not at the point that the behavior cannot be changed. He is smart,and don't for a moment think he does not know he did wrong..he was waiting to see what kind of response he got from you.

Is there somewheres you can take him that may be fenced,so he can burn off some of the steam?

 

[Smudge]

Okay, I know I'm going to get some arguments on this, but remember that if he becomes too aggressive towards you, you might have to put him down.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn't tear my arm out of my socket or chew my leg off. He only growled showing no teeth. That's why I'm taking steps to do something about it now.

Please don't say death, kill, put down, put to sleep, or anything like that when talking about Smudge. He's already sick and his condition makes me nervous and paranoid about his health. It's really depressing even though he is getting better. I know this is not the last/only mange outbreak he'll have in his life. I honestly think if I had not been given the suggestion to get the Vibrant Pets that Smudge would be well on his way to being blind right now.

I get what you're saying though.

 

[Noneeds4me]

Jessica.. I wouldn't want to hear those words either, but I think you are just being given a worst case scenario, and the point of where aggression can lead is being emphasized so best to nip it in the bud right away. Still...the words are very scary, especially with the health problems you've had. I extremely doubt that this will be Smudge's outcome. Also, I really do think it IS very possible that this will be his only outbreak of mange ;-)...

How is the mange looking these days?

 

[Caro]

Don't worry. He is coming into his adolescence, he has had a stressful time with vet visits, it is his only way to communicate that he really does not want to go. I would think this is a positive way for him to communicate, better than biting. I would just acknowledge it so he sees that you get it and then move on.

Pet stores. Thats what they are there for, exercise on a rainy day! If it rains here we do the rounds of the two local pet shops, it gets the dogs out. Walking isn't just about the exercise, it is also about a change of scenery and new things to sniff. I also take mine to the small local shops and we just walk along the front of the shops under the eaves to keep us dry There are about 5 shops so its only a short walk but its about the scenery and the sniffs and getting out of the house. You are right about taking him to nicer places in the truck as well as the vet.

Deska is petrified of vets and I take him every 2 weeks just for a weigh in and a treat to try to calm him. I don't think it really works, he has been this way since he was fixed - he has a very good memory. I think sometimes you just have to put up with it. I know a lot of people who muzzle and crate their dogs for the vet. Heck, the vet told me that's why they have lino floors - so people can drag their protesting pets in to the consult room!