Sorry this is about the little guy (mini Schnauz.) but thought someone with some better insight here on dog behavior might could still assist me.
A little background, and to first say that I know nothing about the personlities or behavior of the breed. He goes to work with me daily, and spend the majority of his time running the roads with me and learning the ropes. I've always been fourtunate enough to bring my dogs with me to work and even the cat when vet care or etc. was needed. Ben and Maddie both went daily with me as pups in order for me to properly potty train them and socialize them with people and teach them manners. It's always worked great, and they are both well socialized, and have wonderful manners. Now comes the little man...
He does wonderfully at learning new things, and is socialized daily as well with the people at work. He does growl sometimes and has snapped quite a few instances but has gotten so much better with that, and is learned that it is unacceptable. I was very proud of the turn around he'd been having till Tuesday.
He needed his shots again, and to have another fecal done. I had a Dr.'s appointment so the vet said it would be fine to drop him off in his crate, they would do what needed to be done and when I returned he would be ready to go. Things didn't work out that way... When I had returned from the Dr. an hour 1/2 later he was still in his crate and they called me to the back.
He was in there growling, snapping, snarling and going to town no one could get him out, and he had already bit twice. He was completely in the back of his crate and just absolutely refused to come out, or be brought out. I had never seen a dog act this way, especially such a young puppy. I asked them to move and told him to "come".. He came right on out and sat on the table and just looked at me, perfectly fine. I then stepped out of the way and told them to try and go ahead. I never petted him or praised him since he was acting a fool just 30 seconds prior? Was that appropriate? They however picked him up and tried as they said to "make friends" and then poke him with the needle and prod his butt, . He was fine at first, though did not willingly allow the fecal and bit the lady that was holding him when all was done and overwith. I took him told him "no bite" then put him back in his crate, and apologized again. I could not understand why he was acting the way he was acting. I understand that he was probably scared, though did not reassure him in his behavior.
A lady that works for the vet came in to "instruct" me on his behavior. She was at the crate, opened the door, got his toy and while he was growling at her she was saying "oh now don't be that way" blah blah baby voices and annoying the hell out of me. She then told me that his behavior was my fault, that she seen him as unproperly socialized, I needed to get him out of the house more, and that he needed a bigger crate. She claimed that the crate fit him as it should, and that I've allowed that to become his territory and his safe haven.. (Isn't that what a crate should be for?) That I'd better get a bigger crate pronto, and not allow him to go in there unless I'm wanting him in there? I just told her that I would seek help elsewhere and the last time I knew of a dog whisperer ~ that he should have been out of his crate with no problems. I'm still amazed that they simply didn't just snap the top off and get him out??
I don't baby him, carry him around, nor treat him any different that he will be 10 lbs. versus 60.. I hate those little ankle biters that run the household and have done everything so far to raise him correctly. I have no issues with him acting this way previously. Yesterday, he went to the groomer. I warned her of his behavior at the vets office and told her that I wasn't sure how he would act. She introduced herself, and then allowed him to run around with a lhapsa (sp) and a small poodle. When I returned to pick him up she said he was a perfect angel for the most part. He was rough with the dogs, and growled at her once but she got onto him and then he was fine. He was sleeping in a pink foo foo bed when I arrived in the sun by the window, perfectly content..
I'm worried about his previous behavior, how I handled the situation, and if I've created his behavior. The last thing I want is for him to have to be muzzled at the vet's office, or to be muzzled at a groomer.
Sorry so long, anyone have any suggestions on what I need to be doing different or change immediately?