Should I change vet?

We never had any problems at first with our small local vets, but the last 2 or 3 times that we took Dodger, he was really frightened. He had previously, had a lump on his ear, which one of the vets tried to get some cells to analyse, but she couldn't do it because he wouldn't keep still. He ended up trapped in a corner with 3 people trying to hold him, and from his point of view, stick needles in him!
So we gave up and made another appointment with a more experienced vet at the same surgery. This was worse! She was having no nonsense. She marched in and went straight for it. She did get the sample, but Dodge was so shocked, now if she'd left it there, it would've been ok, but no, she thought it best to take some more to be on the safe side. By this point Dodge was having none of it, he growled and made all sorts of weird noises, all the time trying to get away from her. Needless to say she couldn't get what she wanted, but she kept on trying until I told her to stop. She then blamed me because I haven't had him neutered!  She told me that he would be much less excitable if he was neutered and that if he wasn't done, I'd be bringing him down badly injured as he'd get into fights!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, the lump was nothing to worry about,  but since then, our really friendly, sociable dog won't let a vet near him. He'll go in the surgery, wag his tail, say hello to everyone, but won't go in the treatment room, or let any vet touch him. When forced he started to show signs of aggression and this is so unlike him. They asked permission to muzzle him but the one they gave us to put on him was too small. He let us put it on him, but it was useless. I think it was more suited to a smaller dog. Once again we gave up. Luckily he got better in a few days anyway.
Now he's due for his annual booster, so should we stay or should we go? Our 2 alternative vets are large, well known chains. What to do?

No way would I be sticking with them! I want my vet to actually like my dogs and treat them as if they were theirs.

I personally would change but see if you can find other people who can recommend maybe an individual vet within the practice. Even though it's a large chain, it's made of of individual vets. I would then book a visit or two before the actual vaccination for Dodge to go in and have some treats, hopefully a cuddle, and nothing else BEFORE they even need to do anything.

I would also let your old vet know why you are leaving, saying you want to give them feedback so they can improve.

if there's another vet near you, then change!

take dodge into the reception area on a regular basis, just walk in, maybe weigh him & ask the staff (including vets if you can) to give him a bit of a fuss, maybe even a treat.

try making an appointment to speak to a vet there, without dodge, & discuss your worries.

as for the vaccinations, the thought nowadays is that a pup should have the first vaccinations, then the first annual booster followed by a booster every three years, so dodge isn't actually due a booster, yet!

I would do as liz says get dodger to build the trust up again with the individual vet and insist you only see that specific vet.id have growled staffy style if anyone even attempted to corner mia. Trouble with vets they have a bad perception of a breed and treat each individual dog by whatever they have read/experienced. Id also give feedback may help the vets in future

I would certainly be changing.. that sounds awful

Agree with the above. Give your business to a vet who deserves it and treats Dodger well.

I would change too, I know Katy hates the vets but they do try & put her at ease where we go. I would not trust any vet that terrifies my dog!!

Not very good on the vets part to treat the dog like that when it showing signs of being distressed,I am sure they would have had a better result if they offered a little sedation before attempting to take a sample.Dogs never ever forget a bad experience at the vets.Yes I would certainly change vets if that is the way they treat your dog.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think it would probably be best to change vet too. I'm still recovering from my broken ankle at the moment (over 2 months now) and can only walk short distances, which is so frustrating!
My plan is to walk Dodge down to the large shop where the other vet's surgery is (we all know which one this is!). I can buy him some treats, have a chat with the receptionist and weigh him to make it a fun experience, he used to love going to the vets before. Of course, at the moment I can't do very much, but as my sons are doing all the walks I could ask them to pop him in there a few times so he feels comfortable. He needs some positive vet experiences, but he's got such a good memory, he never forgets anything!

A staffy never forgets remember ler dodger wander about the practice when hes there he will want to sniff everything to remember the smell when he visits again he could even go as far as letting the vet feed him . Just take it at his pace if he gets nervous go back and try again . Id use the smelliest treat possible and make a big fuss of him

You might find he's ok, you never know. Chaos is dreadful going to our normal vets now, since he had all the problems with his anal glands which he found intensely stressful. He used to be fine but now he turns to jelly . So I was really not looking forward to taking him for the routine check and worm treatment in France before we came back and it was like he'd never had a problem.

Not the same branch, but I know a couple of people who use the vets at the good old large shop (PaH?) and say they're brilliant.

Fingers crossed!

Ask your boys to see if you can get the receptionists at the new place to feed him treats, mine does and it helps make all the dogs think it is a good place to be.

Good idea. Will do.