So. Last week I noticed that Jasper spent a wee bit too much time staring or nuzzling his back paw. Not a great amount of time, but in my mind too much. I checked it, and sure enough, it was getting raw. Looked like a scrape on his outer paw pad. Since he was not constantly chewing at it, it was not bleeding, he was not limping, and he was otherwise in good spirit/health, I thought I would just keep an eye on things, but let it heal on its own.
Well. Mister silly had to be MAN DOG and do the peepee dance kick back every single time he was taken outside, thus re-scraping said paw pad. Saturday, he gets a little down and mopey, but I attribute that to more my husband being out of town. Sunday morning, when I attempted to check the paw, he gave me the super soft I LOVE YOU MOM BUT DON'T TOUCH IT warning rumble and then ducked his head, apologizing. Well, I figured that was enough for me. Called his vet, and whilst she was not in the office tomorrow, arrangements were made for an appointment in early evening.
So. We're in the vet's waiting room, and normally we don't have to wait long. We ended up waiting this time around 45-50 minutes. Jasper is awesomely quiet and patient. He gets a little antsy as some dogs come and go, but stays next to me and makes no sound. We get inside the examination room ..... And theeeen he starts playing his I-will-avoid-getting-touched-at-all-costs-and-hide-behind-mom-and-do -warning-woo-at-you game. I suggest they "might" need a muzzle, as he absolutely detests people messing with his back feet on a good day. His vaccinations have to be given in his shoulders, in fact. He lets me place said muzzle on him, and then when they reach for the paw, he alligator rolls around the room, even twisting out of the muzzle, ending up behind me and wooing again all in a matter of 5 seconds.
I advise they take him to the back out of sight of me. I know this game. In the scary place he must PROTECT MOM, and he cannot protect if he is muzzled and held immobile. If he cannot see mom though? He's like "Hey there chums let's have fun and play!" So out they go, and they come back 5 minutes later. Not only had he calmed down, he allowed them to examine his foot, and he was doing tricks for them to get treats, basking in the Oh-you-are-such-a-good-dog attention.
I have a freaking diva dog.
Well. Mister silly had to be MAN DOG and do the peepee dance kick back every single time he was taken outside, thus re-scraping said paw pad. Saturday, he gets a little down and mopey, but I attribute that to more my husband being out of town. Sunday morning, when I attempted to check the paw, he gave me the super soft I LOVE YOU MOM BUT DON'T TOUCH IT warning rumble and then ducked his head, apologizing. Well, I figured that was enough for me. Called his vet, and whilst she was not in the office tomorrow, arrangements were made for an appointment in early evening.
So. We're in the vet's waiting room, and normally we don't have to wait long. We ended up waiting this time around 45-50 minutes. Jasper is awesomely quiet and patient. He gets a little antsy as some dogs come and go, but stays next to me and makes no sound. We get inside the examination room ..... And theeeen he starts playing his I-will-avoid-getting-touched-at-all-costs-and-hide-behind-mom-and-do -warning-woo-at-you game. I suggest they "might" need a muzzle, as he absolutely detests people messing with his back feet on a good day. His vaccinations have to be given in his shoulders, in fact. He lets me place said muzzle on him, and then when they reach for the paw, he alligator rolls around the room, even twisting out of the muzzle, ending up behind me and wooing again all in a matter of 5 seconds.
I advise they take him to the back out of sight of me. I know this game. In the scary place he must PROTECT MOM, and he cannot protect if he is muzzled and held immobile. If he cannot see mom though? He's like "Hey there chums let's have fun and play!" So out they go, and they come back 5 minutes later. Not only had he calmed down, he allowed them to examine his foot, and he was doing tricks for them to get treats, basking in the Oh-you-are-such-a-good-dog attention.
I have a freaking diva dog.
I am not sure why though, but I kind of vaguely feel bad ... Insomuch as he does not behave that way at all when my husband takes him to vet. I guess he feels that his dad needs no protection? Or is there some other dynamic / behaviour I am not interpreting correctly?
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