Why Your Dog Changed After That Shot—And What No One Told You
It’s easy to blame the dog. But the real story is often heartbreakingly human.
Over the years working in rescue, I’ve met hundreds of dogs who ended up homeless—not because they were “bad dogs,” but because their people didn’t know how to meet their needs. Most of the time, it came down to two things: poor communication and a lack of dog parenting skills.
I’ve seen it too many times. A well-meaning family adopts a dog, gets overwhelmed, and when things don’t go as planned, the dog ends up back at the shelter—or surrendered to rescue.
Sometimes, those dogs came to me as a last chance. And that’s where my holistic behavior modification protocol was born. Not out of theory, but out of urgency, empathy, and experience—the kind that comes from standing beside a dog who’s lost everything and still wants to trust again.
If they end up in a shelter… the clock starts ticking.
If they make it to rescue… they might get a second chance.
But every single one of them deserves a real chance, with someone who understands what’s actually going on beneath the surface.
That brings us to today’s topic—because understanding a dog’s health, especially after vaccines or illness, plays a critical role in both behavior and well-being.
This Is What Happens When You Don’t Understand Vaccines
I’m not anti-vaccine. But I am pro-informed decision-making. Especially when it comes to trauma-informed, holistic care.
What Vaccines Are:
Biological products made to stimulate the immune system
They contain live or inactivated virus particles meant to teach the body how to fight off future infections
They trigger the production of protective antibodies
What Vaccines Are Not:
Instant protection
A guarantee your dog won’t get sick
Pre-formed antibodies that work immediately after injection
The Basics: How Vaccines Work
Vaccines work by exposing the body to a safe version of a virus, which cannot reproduce, but still prompts an immune response. That response builds immunity—a kind of memory system in the body that says: “Hey, we’ve seen this before. We know how to fight it.”
And for most dogs, that’s where the story ends.
But not all dogs are “most dogs.”
Rabies Miasm: The Thing No One Warns You About
In my world of behavior rehab, I’ve seen a pattern emerge in some dogs post-vaccination—particularly after the rabies vaccine. This isn’t a popular topic in mainstream vet circles, but homeopathic and holistic vets have been ringing the alarm for decades.
It’s called rabies miasm—a kind of energetic imprint left behind after exposure to the rabies virus (or its vaccine). And for some dogs, especially those with trauma histories or sensitivities, it can manifest as intense and erratic behavior.
Here Are Just Some of the Symptoms Holistic Vets (and I) Have Observed:
Hyper-reactivity: hypersensitivity to sound, touch, or visual triggers
Sudden aggression or fear-based reactivity
Obsessive behaviors: tail-chasing, fly-snapping, over-licking
Fixations on water (either intense fear or obsession)
Neurological signs: reverse sneezing, spasms, jaw tension
Unusual sexual behaviors in neutered dogs
Phantom itches or flea-like sensations without fleas
Convulsions or extreme fear around shiny objects or running water
Aimless pacing, howling, or vocalizing without clear triggers
These are not “training issues.”
They’re not “dominance.”
They’re nervous system overload.
And while not every dog will show these symptoms, when they do, it’s not just behavioral. It’s biological. It’s energetic. It’s emotional. And it’s real.
This Is Why You Should Work With a Holistic Behavior Consultant
If your dog is showing strange behavior after a vaccine—or if you’re fostering a dog who seems “off” or “unreachable”—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
I’ve been there.
I see what others miss.
And I help people every day get to the root of what’s going on.
I’m not just here to “train” your dog. I’m here to help you understand them, heal with them, and rebuild trust—step by step.
Want to talk about what’s going on with your dog?
Book a discovery call here:
https://holisticdogtraining.as.me/Short-Web
Final Thoughts
Many dogs lose their homes not because of who they are—but because no one taught their humans how to listen.
When we learn to recognize the signs—physical, emotional, and behavioral—we open the door to healing.
So if your dog is struggling, pause before you blame the behavior.
Look deeper.
And if you need help, you know where to find me.
Dr. Dodds Vaccine Protocol by Holisticdogtraining.org
