Quick help please.

Hi
My dog has a problem with people outside and in he is scared he growls barks shows his teeth he has been like it since he was a puppy he's 2 now the vet has said he is very aggressive and has instructed that he is put down. Now I just need help with the outcome of a supposedly dangerous dog and the implications on me not taking him to be killed. Will the vet then report me ?

hia Helen,has he actually bitten any one?

No but the vet says that he has to put people first and my dog is a risk to the public

has he been getting daily walks?

Why is your vet saying this,is it on his behaviour when he goes to the vets??A lot of dogs hate going to the vets,is he like this when he's at home and people come in to visit??

Is he at all calm at home ? Whilst outside he can be muzzled and therefore not a risk to human or animal

good suggestion from Ian regarding the muzzle,here is a link on muzzle training
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t42623-muzzle-training-a-dog

Yes I took him to the vet and he was growling at her so now everyone in vet is now saying he's aggressive.

I have no problem muzzling him I will take a look at the thank you.
Could the vet report me if I go against his wishes ?.

a simple thing like muzzling when going to the vets should stop this,also if he is scared of the vets and this is why he is behaving this way,why not try just popping in and sitting there for 5 mins even thou he is'nt actually seeing the vet,it would get him use to going there and may help him stop being scared,any vet would rather try this i'm sure rather than saying to put the dog asleep,have a chat to them and ask a time you could bring him in for a visit,sit there quietly with him,lots of praise and treats might help too.

He doesn't make a sound in the waiting room another dog was going mad him barking and growling he never let out a peep just sat there. It was only when we went into the room the nurse stuck her hand in his face he growled that's all he did. He's scared of people wants to sniff them out on walks but freaks out when they go to touch him he crouches down and tucks his tail under him.

have you had him from a pup,or is he a rescue dog?may be getting him to see a behaviourist could help him,staffies normally love every one thats why i ask if he is a rescue

No. Bad breeder she left him to die. I've had him since he was supposedly 8 weeks but we suspect he was more like 5 to 6 weeks

For some reason he sounds scared of humans. A muzzle will help you when out and about as you'll know he can't hurt anyone or anything. Use the muzzle at the vets too, a vet should know better to be honest and no they can't just take him away from you, he would have to have demonstrated that he is a real risk.

A dog behaviourist might well help you understand why he is so nervous around people

how could you leave hi to die,so glad you got him when you did,sounds like he definitely could benifit from seeing a behaviourist,they would work with him and get his trust in people back again,in the mean time talk to your vet,tell them you will be muzzling him,he has'nt bitten any one so no one can tell you he should be put to sleep,hope this helps

Thanks all. I've found behaviorists my area and will contact them Monday morning. Getting a muzzle tomorrow - that should be fun. Also changing vets. Thank you everyone I feel better knowing the vet can't report me.

Do let us know how you get on and we are always here to help where we can

yes let us know how he gets on and do stick around if you can,we love hearing from our members and their dogs

I will do thanks both.

I completely agree with the above. Fear aggression is because a dog is scared and not naturally aggressive. I'd definitely change vets. Most dogs are scared at the vets, the smells and sounds in them can put any animal on edge. Find a positive reinforcement trainer and I'm sure they can help.

Do keep us informed, sounds like Reggie is lucky to have you xx

Aww thank you Misty's mum. I'm lucky to have him he's my rock x

Great advice re the muzzle and behaviourist. Absolutely the way to go!

If, just if, someone does report you, please contact DDA Watch http://www.ddawatch.co.uk/index.html. They will fight your corner.

Do not sign anything or agree to anything. And remember that the police can only come into your home with your permission.

No one is taking my dog he hasn't done anything already spoke to DDA and they said the same the vet hasn't got any right telling me my dog needs to die when he hasn't bit anyone. He's just scared.

good for you!!how can some one that is meant to love and care for animals say that rubbish vet.

Exactly you wouldn't put a child down because he's got anxiety !
It seems like a easy solution for them but I would have to live with it on my conscience for the rest of my life ! surely my dog is worth more than that....its like his life doesn't matter

Would be interesting to know if it would be a different matter if he was a different breed.

Just imagine if your dog was a Chihuahua, now they are nippy little dogs and I don't mean they are fast, what would the vet have said then !!!!

I can't quiet figure this vet out, surely they must see anxious dogs all the time. Anyhow, how is Reggie doing, have you managed to find someone to see him yet ?

Hi Ian, I'm contacting the behaviorist on Monday. I know what you mean about Chihuahuas one tried to go for my dog and he did nothing just sat there looking at it as if to say 'what's up with that dude'. A neighbour has one to and it growls and barks at people and the owner just laughs.

It does annoy me that its one rule for big dogs and one for small ones. A Chihuahua chased Misty round the park once biting her ankles, luckily Misty just looked a bit irritated by it and didn't retaliate but I'm sure it would have been a different story if she had retaliated.

Her new best friend is a Jack Russell x Chihuahua though and he is the loveliest dog- so adorable and an absolute sweetheart.

Aww your poor dog it definitely would of been a different story. I get the dirty looks when other dogs go for mine and they get the 'aaaahs'. Strange world.

It's all media perception, especially when they simply say a Staffy type dog

You should see the change in peoples attitude when I put Flo's "Deaf" Hi vis jacket on... don't these people realise there's a ferocious Staffy underneath and not a cute Deaf dog

Its ridiculous. Woman asked me the other day 'isn't that a dangerous breed' I said 'what you mean your dog' she had a spaniel She went 'no yours' I said 'only when he hasn't eaten so you better watch your legs' . Such ignorance.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things now. With us and DDA Watch behind you, and hopefully a good behaviourist, be strong and stand up to your vet. Or, better still, find a different vet who takes the time to understand dogs instead of just reaching for the syringe!

***UPDATE***
My boy is seeing a behaviorist end of the month. I phoned current vet up to try and get his boosters done and was told the vet would phone me back.....result he never did. I am worried now no vet will treat my dog when he's ill :-(

I wouldn't mind but I've seen badly behaved dogs and my dog doesn't even come close. He was in a strange room and he obviously felt cornered so growled at the nurse to get her out of his space that was it ! He didn't lunge show his teeth or anything I feel really let down :-(

Hi Helen,

That vet sounds awful, honestly vets are scary places for all animals and vets should understand that. I met a lady with a German shepherd in my vets once and he was lovely and chilled out in the waiting room but she said once he gets into the vets room she can't control him and her son has to come to hold him. We keep misty waiting outside the vet and one of us goes and waits inside.

Don't worry your dog has done nothing wrong so another vet should have no problem treating him.  Whereabouts are you in case we have anyone who can recommend a local vet to you.

Please don't worry it sounds like you have just got a bad vet.

Congrats on booking the behaviourist. Do let us know how you get on.

Wish you both the best of luck, Reggie is lucky to have you in his corner and, as you say he is your rock, so lots of cuddles all round! We had a behaviorist for our old dog and it was very helpful, I think dogs want to please instinctively, but don't always understand the rules, especially if they have had such a difficult start. Keep us posted!

Hi Helen and Reggie!

Una is scared of the vets and does growl/lunge when approached. We have a routine similar to Emma and Misty. We wait in the car in the car park, then Una's muzzle goes on (smothered in peanut butter) and we go in the back door so don't see any other dogs or people.

We're slowly building up vet visits with trips to the car park when the vets are closed and sitting quietly, then we'll progress to being outside the car and so on.

We had a month or so's grace with the booster to get Una muzzle trained for it and it worked well. You may find that your behaviourist is able to recommend a more understanding vet in your area? Good luck and Reggie is such a lucky pup to be with you

glad u changed ur vet helen best thing you could have ever done a behaviourist is the best course of action id say also. reggie sounds a sweetheart despite his problems but you will overcome them though it may take some time please keep us updated and pics please

Hi Helen, How did the behaviourist visit go?

Hope all is ok with you both x