September 16th, 2009
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If you’ve got more than one dog, be very careful when you return from the vet with one of them if the others have stayed home. The dog that has been at the vet smells different from being there and it is not uncommon to see raised hackles or growls on the first return.
You can avoid possible tense moments when reuniting your dogs if you let the dogs run loose in a wide open space so that they have room to get re-acquainted without things getting ugly. Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Great idea but what if one does not have a big open space at home? What then? It would be great if you would elaborate more on this subject as I am totally bossed by seral small dogs,
From Peru
You can’t be serious, can you? Your answer to the “problem” of a dog showing aggression to another dog is to “back up, give ‘em room, and let what happens, happen?” Complete foolishness, by my lights, and dangerous foolishness at that. I’m guessing this “Tracie Hotchner” person is one of those “self-proclaimed” experts…. like a BarkBusters “trainer”, as I can think of NO reputable trainer who would advise this completely foolhardy course of action!
Hi Cristina – Wow! You’re in Peru, isn’t the internet exciting how it brings us all together?! I am not sure what your exact issue or question is since you say several small dogs boss you! (quite funny) which isn’t what this tip was about. This is about how to reintroduce a dog who has been at the vet , especially for surgery or any procedure using strong smelling products. In your case there should not be a problem because I recommend bringing ALL your dogs to the vet when one has a problem. The rest of the pack can be moral support and comfort, and also shows the others that being at the vet clinic isn’t always about them – the vet becomes a place that is interesting for your dogs. I explain this in THE DOG BIBLE (along with quite a few tips about how to manage bossy dogs), although I don’t know if you can get it in Peru!
Hey Barry – What’s with the hostility? Yikes, you’re so angry and accusatory and don’t seem to have even read the title of the tip?? Cannot imagine what would provoke such an attack? This tip is about bringing one of your family dogs back to the other (or others) after being at the vet and anticipating the possibility that the unfamiliar odor on their buddy might cause some tense moments. I am talking about reuniting pack members – not shows of aggression between dogs who are strangers. I just don’t get the heavy anger factor here? As it happens I am not a dog trainer affiliated with any group but I stand behind this advice as a useful tip. I am the author of THE DOG BIBLE and have 2 live weekly radio shows (which is mentioned below the tip)> I’d be happy to meet you on the air and discuss this or any other issues you might like on DOG TALK, which is on NPR . Take a moment to go to my website (www.TracieHotchner.com) and I think you’ll see I’m really an okay person!
Very good advice. Barry, why be hostile? Ms/Mrs Hotchner was referring to mild aggressive behavior related to dogs coming back from the vet who may smell different than they did when they went in, she’s not suggesting this as a cure for aggressive behavior. I have to agree that a well exercised dog is generally a calmer dog, and I’ve meet aggressive dogs that were aggressive mainly because they hardly received any exercise, just chained up most if not all of the day with little room to move.
Thanks CM – you definitely did understand the point of the tip. It is only referring to the return-from-vet situation when a member of a family pack (or pair) of dogs does not recognize the returning dog and treats her with hostility because her familiar odor is masked bt the strong medicinal odors of the vet’s office.