Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Our dear boy Hootie is a real challenge. He is fearful of being restrained so that getting a leash on and off, even holding him by the collar will cause him to scream with fear. He is OK around the house, loves the other dogs and adopts to strangers fairly well.

He is not fear aggressive unless you attempt to restrain him. This makes veterinary visits a real problem and trimming nails a no go.

We have inquired with many vets if they have any ideas and most when they hear the problem are not really enticed to help out.

A vet we used years ago that gave my Golden acupuncture, I know I laughed too but damned if it didn't help, Suggests the use of Dexdomitor intramuscularly rather than Acepromazine that made him crazy and Vallium that has absolutely no effect on him.

Would appreciate anyone that has had experience with Dexdomitir and Pharaoh hounds.

We've used Dexdomitor many times to sedate my guys as blood doners, also for hip radiographs without problems. Added benefit is I get to do nails at the same time).

Lorna

Thanks.

I'll start by saying I'm NOT a trainer, so maybe the trainers can chime in, but Rescue Remedy with some "flooding" may help. I think that's like putting the collar on the dog and leaving it on to let the dog get used to it. Or keeping the dog in a controlled situation until he relaxes. I know with grooming a puppy you wait until the dog stops struggling and relaxes before you move onto the next step. For example: A puppy that doesn't want his nails trimmed would be held firmly (but gently) until he stopped carrying on, and then, you could take it slowly and start to trim. If the pup struggled again, you'd stop, wait, and then try again. Eventually they'd relax (in theory )
Don't know if this would help with your guy...seems to work in grooming, though.
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TiaRa Pharaohs
"Produce quality and present it yourself...that way you know what you've won, when you win"
"Quality isn't expensive, it's priceless."

Thanks for the input and believe me we have struggled with this for years. I started by just getting him to let me hold his front paw in my hand while he lay on the bed.Then to actually holding a front nail between my thumb and index finger. But getting him to stand still and not to scream when you are trying to actually trim a nail is heart wrenching. After you try he sits somewhere with dilated pupils string off into space for hours.

Just recently he stands next to my chair in the living room and lets me rub his neck, and back and I can even get him to let me pull back his lips to see his teeth...but only with one hand. Put the other hand on him and he jumps 2 foot off the floor with his trademark screech.

He's the best boy in the crate in the Chevy van but he will not get out to go pee in a strange place. We only drive about 9 hours a day and he goes at the hotel fine.

He's had a rough start in life before we got him and it pains us to cause him any further anxiety.

it's very sad to read all of this I know one of my boys does NOT take to change well but nothing like you are stating. I don't have any help to offer seems like Kim is on to something but it's nice to read your heartfelt posts. This is a special boy to you and it comes out in your words, I do hope you find some help with him atleast he has your love. He has no idea how lucky he is that he lives with you , most people would not bother...
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Denise
"I am I because my little dog knows me"
- Gertrude Stein

Reading your story reminds me of another dog I know well. In that case a visit to a vet board certified in behavior was the key to helping the dog and owner. At one time about 8 years ago there were only 40 or so of these vets in the country. In this case a short drive from Champaign to Purdue University and Dr. Luescher made all the difference.

I would be very hesitant to use flooding on a dog such as the one you describe. When a dog is reacting fearfully, maintaining the stimulus that causes the fear may only reinforce the fear. Figuring out the right approach to modify behavior requires us to understand how the particular dog will view the program. That's why I would highly recommend a behaviorist vet, if you can find one. Here's the place to look: http://www.veterinarybehaviorists.org/
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Ruth
Sharing a home with
Gracie the Greyhound,
Bo, Galadrial's Cuervo Gold,
Harvey, CH. Lileo's Wild Rabbit Pooka, JC, CGC,

At the bridge--
HRH Chantze, Chart Polski, CGC (the most Polish Princess),
Rufous T. Firefly, CGC (my first PH--he knew how and when to beam a grin)

Sorry, left out earlier that going to a vet behaviorist means that you will have someone who will understand what drugs may help as well as someone who can provide a customized training program.
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Ruth
Sharing a home with
Gracie the Greyhound,
Bo, Galadrial's Cuervo Gold,
Harvey, CH. Lileo's Wild Rabbit Pooka, JC, CGC,

At the bridge--
HRH Chantze, Chart Polski, CGC (the most Polish Princess),
Rufous T. Firefly, CGC (my first PH--he knew how and when to beam a grin)

I use DexDomitor all the time, I am a vet tech in a large specialty practice. I have used it on my PH's. My suggestion is to use a micro dose and add in a half dose of Torbugesic. It seems to work better and it doesn't drop their heart rate so low. DexDomitor is absorbed through the muscle and fat, since our guys have no fat, it works quicker and at a lower dose than big chunky lab! Hope this helps!
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Meredith
Kinneson-CH. Jomara's Ahmar Kelb ta Kummiedja Fch SC CGC NAJ
Peaches- Fch Multi BIF Jomara's Secret of the Nile FCh SC
Cosby- Funniest Black Canine
Bull Durham- Best PH toy around
Jagr- Cranky old Tibetan Terrier, still my BFF
Ruslan- Whippet to keep the PH's in shape
Gilda- Mia's Bakhu Hanky Panky, latest Little Red Devil

Yes, it does I will share with our vet.