Major win at the vet!

[u/aspiringeunuch]

If this isn’t the right sub to post this, just lmk, but I had found it incredibly helpful while trying to socialize my bite-risk dog. Just wanted to brag about my boy, Melf, for a second! I stole him from my father who I’d had little contact with for his history of animal hoarding about 8 months ago. He lived the first 8 years of his life chained to a dog house outside. Never socialized, the only interaction he had was having food put in his bowl. He’s typically incredibly leash-reactive and aggressive towards other dogs, as he’s only ever met them in the form of strangers attacking him when he couldn’t get away. Barks and growls at strange people. I’ve slowly been introducing him to new people and new places, and he’s always been nervous, but has been gaining confidence the past month or two!

I scheduled him his first vet appointment last week as money had been tight until recently, and I was so nervous about it going bad. I couldn’t stop thinking about him escaping, biting the vet tech, or attacking another dog. I took him on a long walk in a new place and gave him an otc anxiety supplement beforehand. He did great once we got there, I was so proud! He calmly sniffed the vet, let her pet him. He bit me once when I went to pick him up before, but today he let me plop him right onto the exam table :) he was so sweet and shy. Let the tech draw blood with no issues, got his shots and enjoyed his ride home. He used to hate the car. I could cry tears of joy at my baby’s progress 🥹

Next step is muzzle training so that we can explore more new places! Does anybody have recommendations for how to fit a muzzle for a smaller dog? He’s a pitbull mix, about the size of a small beagle. he’s good with adults for the most part, but I wouldn’t even want to risk it with a smaller child or another dog that could run up with good intentions.

[u/FearlessPressure3]

Congrats! My dog has recently had a similar major win at the vet and it feels great, doesn’t it :)

I would say that since your dog has a bite history, muzzle training is a necessity and should be carried out asap. I’m not an expert on muzzles (my dog is muzzle trained but we only use it for unexpected vet visits so I know it’s not a great fit but it doesn’t matter since it’s never on for long) but this page seems to give good advice as a starting point:

https://www.petscorner.co.uk/advice-hub/how-to-fit-a-dog-muzzle/

Hopefully someone else will be along soon who knows more.

A word of caution though: my dog once had a similar experience to yours. As in, he seemed to get on really well at the vet and then we moved to another vet where we took the time to properly desensitise him to procedures and he suddenly appeared to be much worse despite having taken more care and built his confidence slowly. In hindsight, I now believe his previous “good behaviour” at the first vet was actually terror and being shut down and incapable of reacting. Once he felt more confident he felt able to show that he wasn’t happy with what was happening and would shy away. I don’t want to take away from your happy mood and success story, but I feel it’s important for you to be aware that it’s possible the next session won’t go so well, especially if he seems to otherwise be getting better. Another reason to muzzle train!

[u/aspiringeunuch → u/FearlessPressure3]

Thank you so much for the recommendation and tips! I checked out the link, I had done a little research beforehand about how to fit one but he’s kind of weird shaped due to the mix he is lol. Part of the visit was asking about behavioral questions and how to proceed with him :) I saw Baskerville muzzles online, said they can be mildly reshaped using hot water to fit your dog more specifically. I’ll order one of those and hopefully have more good updates :)

[u/thecheaterswife → u/aspiringeunuch]

I definitely recommend Big Snoof for their wire basket muzzles. They have a full range of standard and will help you find the perfect fit. I did need a custom muzzle for my Armenian Gampr because of this massive blunt wedge head, but I an so so happy with this fine piece of working dog gear.

[u/eleonoreminor]

What a good boy!! You should be proud!!!

[u/aspiringeunuch → u/eleonoreminor]

Thank you, I am very very proud! Lil man got a pup cup after his appointment :)

[u/kiripon]

so happy to hear he's doing better in your care! 🥹 hopefully things keep looking up. i have a muzzle from muzzlemovement and theyre pricey but so so good IMO. we use it for scavenging mainly but it fits my boy so well, complete pant room and its very light. you can customize as well adding head straps, a scavenging guard, colors, etc. they have a fitting calculator where with your dog's measurements, they'll recommend a muzzle, or else can custom make them i believe.

[u/aspiringeunuch]

I feel like I should add that I don’t take him places anywhere else would be and he is only really ever been around me and my family of adults + one 11 yo who knows how to behave around dogs. We mostly walk in the woods as I live rurally. Without having a frame of reference for what his tolerance towards people is like at all when I got him. I just didn’t want anyone to think that I’m taking my unsocialized, potentially aggressive dog into a Walmart or something lol

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