Doug (left picture) and Gertie (in her babuska on the right).
Gertie was friendly with the vet techs and the vet (she's always friendly with new people and animals); but Doug -- not so much. A little disappointing since he is a sensitive and gentle soul and I really wanted him to feel happy and safe visiting the vet this time, but his reaction was not altogether surprising. When he's fearful, he tends to act out a bit, getting barky and snarly. (Part of the reason why he became a foster failure and my 4th permanent dog). So we had to put a muzzle on him, to be on the safe side. He has never been muzzled before so he was pretty upset with me for doing it.
Once Doc was done examining him, giving him his updated distemper shot and taking blood for his annual heartworm test, we took the muzzle off. When Doc gave him a dog cookie, greed overtook fear and he took it and hungrily ate it, in spite of the fact that he as still eyeing doc with that "I'm-not-so-happy-with-you" look and the slightly chattery teeth. As we got ready to leave and I was paying the bill, however, he was back to his "happy as a clam" self and ready to join Gertie in dragging me through the parking lot to the car like a couple of championship mushers headed for the finish line.
So, thankfully, he was not permanently scarred by his traumatic visit to the vet, and he got a clean bill of health (although he has gotten rather fat, and will need to go on a bit of a diet to regain his boyish figure!). And I now know I will have to work a little more with him in the socialization department so that by next year he will be happy to go see the vet....or at least not so fearful.
A really good site for people who have fearful or shy dogs is (appropriately named) "Fearful Dogs" at www.fearfuldogs.com
Check it out. There is a lot of helpful and interesting information that will help you to understand your pup and its foibles.
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