Diana ~ Hello from the lower half of Washington! I also have two Chi's close to the same ages as yours. ( Jax 4 mo. and Kia 10 yr). I agree with everyone so far that your Vet is not a good match and you should choose another one in that clinic or go to a new one.
I have never heard of giving a Vaccine to a dog while holding it on it's side. Most of the time, a dog will do better if not held down. I have worked in the Vet field for 10 years and yes there were times when we got very aggressive dogs in and had to take measures to control them. Both of my Chi's are males and came with an attitude that needed a lot of work. When working with them you need to treat them like a dog. This is what they will understand. Right now I hold Jax down on his back when he is being naughty until he is calm and quiet. This isn't being mean, it is just putting him in a submissive position. It is telling him I am in charge and alpha. Don't let him up if he is squirming or biting at you. If you do let him go then he will win and be the alpha. Jax has a little temper and doesn't like to be disciplined. When he is mouthing/biting at my hands/fingers I will spray him with a mixture of 1/2 mouthwash and 1/2 water. This will work on most dogs to get them to stop. Jax will stop be go right back at me with more intent so this has not worked well with him. I now grab him by the back of the neck and push him (gently) down so his face is pushed down. This, once again, is putting him in a submissive position. This is "dog language". If you watch mother dogs they will discipline their puppies by grabbing the back of their neck. This is the way a mother dog would carry them so they know to just of limp and not fight it. In the evening when I'm holding him and he is tired I turn him on his back and rub his tummy so he learns to be submissive to me. Socialize, socialize, socialize. It is the best thing you can do for them. Take them with you whenever you have the time. Have some treats with you and have strangers give them to him and then pet him. Take him to puppy classes where he can socialize with other dogs. I have to feed Jax separate from my other dogs because he would eat his and then inhale theirs and they would let him have it. Sometimes I will feed Kia with Jax right there and I am teaching him with a poke and a no if he tries to get to his bowl. Good luck! They are just like kids, we have to teach them what is right and what is wrong. If you have any questions you can e-mail me off list at [email protected]. Kay ________________________________ From: diana roller <[email protected]> To: Chihuahua <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 8:59 PM Subject: [Chihuahuas] Your opinion is desperately needed! I am Diana from Washington. I have written about Kiko (7 yr) and Pawko (8 mo). previously. Today I took Pawko to the vet. My Vet is really strict (boot camp type) I have not had the opportunity or taken the time to train Pawko. He is energetic but does listen when I tell him something. The vet trimmed his nails, (Pawko was crying the whole time loudly) They took his temp. They layed him on his side (?) to give him his shot. He bit her, like a real bite, hard and invasive. She told me that when he comes in or goes anywhere to be sure to tell them to muzzle him. Then she said, I need to train him properly or get rid of him and give him to someone who can. That it would allow him to be the best dog he can be. She said that if this dog bites a little kid, I will be in big trouble. Am I wrong ~ or did she irritate the heck out of him and he was scared and bit her ~ or is he a biter?? She said that I need to get rid of one of my dogs if they fight all the time. (just at dinner time and bedtime). Obiously I cried all the way home thinking that I had let this little guy down by not teaching him how to act so that he would not get in trouble. What do you think??? I need some sensible opinions. Do you think this little guy was provoced?? Thank youso much, Diana
