Staffy - prone to anxiety?

[Stacey Ruddok]

Anyone out there had much experience with Staffies? I've got one that I recently adopted from a rescue shelter (about four months ago) and she has a real fear of the vet. Whenever we go there she loses all control of herself, urinates everywhere, whines horribly, and rushes round and round the place. It's hard to keep control of her (she's a big girl) but the weird thing is that she's fine in all other situations - cars, the city, other dogs, etc.
So would you say that Staffies are prone to neurotic or phobic behavior, or is this more likely to be something that she's got from past experience with other owners maybe?

[kuritsa18]

It sounds since this only happens at the vet that she has developed anxiety from being there or over excitment. Probably from past experiences that were not so good or not being properly handled in that situation. Also, at the vet dogs can become anxious because of the strange smells, people, other animals and noises. Going to the vet for a dog is like us going to the dentist or doctors office...not so glad to be there! The urinating does sound like over excitment or anxiety and if she is still young, a puppy, or a dog that becomes easily over excited they can lose control of their bladders if they get too excited but if it is anxiety it is similar where the dog just loses control of the bladder and goes. For this it is important to keep them calm. Also, you should never let your dog run around the vets office especially with this anxious or excited behaviour. Always keep her on the leash and keep the leash short to have control of her. If you let her get out of control and excited she will be that way but if you take control of her she will be easier to handle and will calm down. When she gets too excited and starts jumping around immediately get her under control by shortening the leash so she can't jump or run about or even grab a hold of the collar, tell her in a firm loud voice NO and make her sit and stay; keep repeating this no matter how many times it takes and do it no matter what is going on because the bevhaviour has to be corrected right away not after the fact. Then when she calms down give her a treat and lots of praise to let her know that she is doing good now She needs to learn that you are in control, this behaviour is not acceptable, and there is nothing to be anxious or over excited about. Plus, after the visit give her lots of praise and a treat for doing good so she learns the vets office is a good place not scary or a play gym. You can get a body harness which is basically a collar for the body, it goes around their front legs, almost like a rock climber, and the leash attaches to the harness and when you pull the leash it adjusts their whole body which gives you way more control over the dog plus it takes the pressure off of the throat from pulling while wearing a regular collar so they don't choke themselves. You can get them at the pet store and they are very inexpensive around $30 for a large one. I'm sure the vet will be happy too if you can calm her down! Hope that helps!

[prolibertate]

Stacey, your pup may have had a bad experience previously in his life at the vets, so will become fearful or anxious when you go there. One way to help this is to take your dog to the vets office when you don't have an appointment for a checkup, shots, etc. Take him for a visit to show him that good things happen there also. Have the staff there give him treats when he sits on command, then lots of praise and pets. Then, after he behaves beautifully for you there, take him to a pet store and let him pick out a new toy Make the trip to the vets a nice experience for him, and where people fuss over him when he listens, and he'll be fine for you.

Use of a gentle leader or a halter, rather than a collar can give you more control over the dog. Training him to come, and to sit and stay on command, even when there are distractions, is essential. There's no need to be harsh with an animal; if they're taught to reliably come, sit and stay on command, and the owner doesn't get excited or agitated, then the dog will remain calm also, and will isten when you ask him to come and to sit.