“COVID Puppies” Bringing BAD Behavior to Vet Clinics – Dr. McPeck’s Solution
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Well, yeah, you can. Hi. My name’s Dr. Sean McPeck. I’m the owner and CEO of Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center. One thing that we, that we see a lot right now, and we’ve termed “COVID puppies.” These were the puppies that were bought during the lockdowns during the time where everybody was staying kind of isolated in their home. But, they wanted some companionship. They wanted something to to keep them company.
They weren’t able to see their friends and family. What we’ve seen now is an older dog that did not get initial socialization. Did not get initial training and exposure to other animals, to other people. And so these animals have high anxiety, aggression, very difficult behaviors when it comes to dealing with the veterinarian to the point to where the the visit to the veterinarian becomes so stressful for them because just to be able to get vaccines, we’ve got to restrain possibly muzzle that is just going to lead to future visits throughout their life getting worse and worse and worse and worse.
What I would highly recommend to anyone that bought a puppy or received a puppy during COVID is to now take that opportunity to really, really advance your relationship and your bond with the dog by doing some obedience training. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Well, yeah, you can. You can. It’s of course it can be a little bit more difficult because the best times are when they’re puppies and they’re just learning, especially if they’re treat motivated or toy motivated.
It makes the training very, very easy. But yes, even an older dog can learn new ways to behave. It just takes a little bit of time and effort. Find a trainer or a training facility that works with groups or works with individuals and let them help you and let them guide you and they will help you desensitize the dog to other dogs.
They will help you desensitize the dog to other people in other environments. And then once you have some of these tools in place, now you can run with it and you can do it at home. Get your dog some training, get your dog some desensitization and some socialization and you will have a better, happier pet and one that other people will enjoy being around them.
A 2010 Graduate of Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Sean McPeck developed his leadership as a Sniper Team Leader and Veterinarian with the US Army Special Operations, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Dr. McPeck has multiple combat deployments, totaling almost 2 years in combat theaters of operation.
He is the recipient of the Combat Action Badge, and is Ranger, Sniper, and Airborne qualified. While serving as an officer in Special Operations, Dr. McPeck was repeatedly recognized for his Honor, Integrity, Courage and Selfless Service in the name of the United States. He was recognized with not one, but two, Meritorious Service Medals.
Under his leadership, Dr. McPeck worked with Working Dog handlers, and canine units, to detain and seize enemy combatants. The canines that Dr. McPeck worked with are credited with savings thousands of United States soldiers deployed in combat areas.
Dr. McPeck authored The RCAP, Ranger Canine Athletic Program, which was the 1st comprehensive Military canine conditioning program.
His specific training and certification classes for Dog handlers to be proficient in Canine Tactical- Combat Casualty Care, and knowledge of current medical equipment and procedures, which led to the successful life saving interventions by handlers in real world operations.
Dr. SaraRose McPeck graduated from Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. A Massachusetts native who attended Becker College for her undergrad, Dr. McPeck has lived and worked around the country and even the world. She served four years in the United States Army as a Veterinary Officer, during which she was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, and completed a 12-month tour in Afghanistan.
Her time serving in the Army provided her the experience as the primary veterinarian for over 350 Military Working Dogs, in which she provided all emergency, trauma, surgical, critical, and primary care. In addition to caring for animals, she trained, mentored, and led six Non-Commissioned Officers and twelve junior enlisted Soldiers, giving her not only impressive veterinary experience but also exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.
As a Veterinary Corp Officer, she received a variety of awards, including a Bronze Star, a NATO Medal, a GWOT Medal, two Army Accommodation Medals, among many others. She gained experiences in which she exemplified impressive leadership skills and the ability to adapt to both clinical and combat support situations. Her years of experience serving our country and in veterinary medicine have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care to our patients.