Am I now a bad dog owner?

[faithislove]

I have a male brindle pitbull terrier whom is 8 years old and about 56lbs. I have had him since he was 5 weeks old. We started out taking very good care of him, regular vet visits, required vaccinations and a Eukanuba diet. He bacame a very handsome, shinny, sexy, loving beast! But once he became an adult we took him in for his shots and check up and he was quite resistant. The vet only gave his shots and when asked about the rest of the check up the vet yelled "I'm not looking at that dogs teeth, he is gonna kill somebody!" While I'm crying, shouting and defending my pet (cause he never really gave him a chance, just knew he was a growling pit) my dog is just laying on the floor. So I asked is he trying to kill you now?! (Meanwhile there is a boxer in the waiting room with a muzzle growling and slobbering) It was such a horrible experience for me I began to question my dog and other vets. Needless to say he has only seen the vet twice since then and it has been 2 years since the last visit. My problem now is that he needs his nails cut bad,(we cant he is too strong and he wants to bite your nails while you try to cut his....too much work) shots, and all. He's not neuterred and has never mated and hunches pillows. Because I feared being treated unfairly because of the breed of dog I have and his energy, I neglected my dogs needs. So what I want to know is how do I choose a vet and how do I approach them with the fact that he is a spoilled house dog, full of energy, hardheaded, but very sweet. And how has not neutering him affected him at this age? Have I damaged him in some way? I wanted him to mate because he was such a beautiful healthly beast but never had any good choices and now he's getting old and still so playful. Should I just neuter him just to calm him down or now at this point is it better for his health? I hope I haven't hurt him he is my baby!    

[kenneltech]

First of all, I would have turned that vet in, what a jerk.  I have worked with animals (yes, and Pits) for years, and some of them are not so friendly, as are a lot of other breeds that don't get the "bad rap" because they aren't in the news as fighters, and there are ways of handling these pets.  I think your dog got caught up in the heat of the moment, it sounds like the vet clinic was a ZOO, a growling, slobbering dog in another room, the vet yelling, what the hell did he expect dogs to do in there?  

Start calling places and see which vet works with Pits, and how long he has worked with them.  Tell them what happened,and that they should (just to be safe) muzzle him as soon as he comes in while he is still calm.  Yes, you need to get your dog neutered, if not for any aggression, then for medical safety reasons, dogs get cancer more readily when they are not "fixed."  You can find a good vet, and you might try a good animal trainer because it sounds like he is a little bit of a big dog for you to handle and you could use some tips.  I'm not saying he's mean and wild, I'm saying it sounds like he's too much dog for you to handle.

Good luck and don't listen to that jerk vet you had.

[ginger899]

You cannot let either your beloved dog, or other peoples' prejudices about his breed control you. YOU have to be the one in control.
You will be. You just need to feel your confidence come back.

At least, he will need his shots and annual check ups. And he will need his nails trimmed/teeth cleaned, etc. As time goes by, he will need to visit the vet sometimes for other things. Dogs do. As he gets older, there will be blood tests, little things he'll need to see the vet for. Trust me. It'll happen.

Dogs teeth....no big deal. That's what muzzles were invented for. He most likely never needs one, but he obviously does at the vet's. If not because he might bite, then for the vet's sake. Muzzled, they will have nothing to complain about (big Wusses!)

He will have to get used to the muzzle as a 'friendly' thing, not as a negative thing, so introduce him to it with play and treats. Make sure he has enough movement in it to be able to pant or drink, but not enough to really open his mouth and get his teeth into anything.

Getting him neutered might be a very good idea. I know strong healthy dogs, very masculine, who were neutered. It did calm them a lot, but believe me, it did not take away their character or their masculinity either! They stayed the "same" dogs, but just were not so hormone-driven and restless as before.

[lindapalm]

I would try a different vet, and use a muzzle, this way there would be no worry on the vets part.  While under sedation for neutering, his teeth can be checked and cleaned, nails done, and shots given.  After he heals up, work on him for behavior issues, and at the same time try to stay calm and assertive when handling him.  Look up Cesar Millan dvds and see how he handles pitts, he is on National Geographic channel on Fridays where I live.  With work he should improve in time for your next vet visit.

[chasha33]

I agree with Sara,Call a groomer and get his nails trimmed.Ask around and see if anyone you know can tell you a good vet to use.His mouth could be hurting him if he doesnt want anyone looking in it.I would get him nuetered,It can help alot of things with him.Most bull breeds get a bad name.I have a English Bulldog and people think because of the Bull in his name that he could turn.But any breed can do that.I just dont understand some people.Your vet should have done a full checkup on your baby.That was not right for him to act that way towards him.I would call some other vets and see how they were with larger breeds and you could get his nails done and his shots at the same time.Well please keep us posted Good luck and take care

[Sarajmt]

ABSOLUTELY!  Neuter him immediately.  Much better for his health and temperment.   If he won't let a vet look at his teeth, that means he could get some bad dental problems and you wouldn't know.  I'm assuming he's never had his teeth cleaned.  Does he pose a problem at the groomers?  If not, take him to the groomers to have his nails clipped and I have my groomers clean my dog's teeth.

I've never owned a pitbull.  But from I understand constant training is a must.  Has he been to obedience school.  I admit I never take mine but I train mine to do what I want them to do myself.  I've always had Golden Retrievers and they are very easy to train. Pits are very athletic animals so I assume he's getting a lot of exercise.  If not, a daily walk would be a good place to start.

It's obvious you love your baby.  The best thing for him is to be neutered, go to obedience training and getting sufficient exercise.  Good luck to you.

Sara