misschildfree1970
New member
Our nearly 2yo reactive dog bit a vet tech today, prompting a trip to urgent care and a report with the city (so we’ve been told). Our worst fears have come true but in the one place we didn’t expect it. These vets know him well and have a typical protocol they use to care for him. He’s been injured recently and needed his wrapping looked at, and they were trying to put a cone on him and it went badly. Sounds like there was a good amount of blood. Assuming level 3/4.
Obviously, muzzle training is our number one priority. Priority 2 is an appt. with our vet behaviorist (we have already spent $1000s on his behavioral trainer). He’s already on 20mg of prozac.
What does our future look like from here? He’s a small ish dog (25lb). This is his first on record bite, though he has nipped before and will nip anyone including us when he is afraid. We’ve been training for a year+ and still can’t complete most basic care (cannot bathe him, cannot trim nails, cannot put a coat on him). Dog walker/sitter/house guests (which were a distant goal before) now feel out of the question.
Emotions are running high and I’m dreading worst case scenario, but can anyone tell me what life will actually look like from here?
EDIT: any info on what to expect in terms of liability, police reports, etc. Are welcome. We live in nys.
EDIT as of 9/25: just want to make clear we don’t blame the vet at ALL. They knew he wasn’t muzzle trained and we would not have let them handle him without making very clear the risk and concerns. They knowingly took him on. HOWEVER we don’t blame them at ALL and don’t feel they are overreacting. Blood was drawn and their response is more than appropriate. Sedation and muzzle will be the move from now on, our bigger concern is what this means for life as a whole. We live in a very population dense area.
Also want to thank everyone for their answers and tips. This community has been a huge source of comfort and knowledge and I’m grateful for everyone’s support and feedback.
Obviously, muzzle training is our number one priority. Priority 2 is an appt. with our vet behaviorist (we have already spent $1000s on his behavioral trainer). He’s already on 20mg of prozac.
What does our future look like from here? He’s a small ish dog (25lb). This is his first on record bite, though he has nipped before and will nip anyone including us when he is afraid. We’ve been training for a year+ and still can’t complete most basic care (cannot bathe him, cannot trim nails, cannot put a coat on him). Dog walker/sitter/house guests (which were a distant goal before) now feel out of the question.
Emotions are running high and I’m dreading worst case scenario, but can anyone tell me what life will actually look like from here?
EDIT: any info on what to expect in terms of liability, police reports, etc. Are welcome. We live in nys.
EDIT as of 9/25: just want to make clear we don’t blame the vet at ALL. They knew he wasn’t muzzle trained and we would not have let them handle him without making very clear the risk and concerns. They knowingly took him on. HOWEVER we don’t blame them at ALL and don’t feel they are overreacting. Blood was drawn and their response is more than appropriate. Sedation and muzzle will be the move from now on, our bigger concern is what this means for life as a whole. We live in a very population dense area.
Also want to thank everyone for their answers and tips. This community has been a huge source of comfort and knowledge and I’m grateful for everyone’s support and feedback.