You can make vet visits less stressful for your dog through preparation, teamwork, and positive associations.
If your dog puts the brakes on in front of the veterinary hospital or trembles as he waits for the vet to arrive, he is not alone. Most dogs have some aversion to the vet’s office, ranging from low-level nervousness to full blown panic attacks. For your dog, the veterinarian can be a scary person to visit, and for good reason. A puppy’s first veterinary experience is often for vaccinations, which can create a lifetime of fear.
Modern veterinary practices take steps to create more relaxing environments for their clients. For example, Dr. Marty Becker has developed an exciting initiative called Fear Free Vet Visits which will help provide tools to address this issue from many different viewpoints, including the dog’s guardian, the vet, the vet's staff, and most importantly, the dog.
Whether or not your veterinary practice is part of the Fear Free Vet Visits movement, there are things you can do to make the experience a little less frightening for your dog.
How to help your dog be less fearful of the veterinarian
- Before you even go to the vet, make sure your puppy or dog likes or at least accepts being touched. Start this at home by pairing the handling of your puppy or dog’s paws, mouth, ears and body with high-value food. Make it a pleasurable experience and move at your dog’s pace. When it comes time to be handled by a vet, the sensation should not be so unpleasant.
- Take your dog to the veterinarian just to say hello but not for an exam or procedure. Have the receptionists, vet techs, and veterinarians give your dog his favorite food or toy and build up a pleasant association with their presence.
- Try to stay with your dog as much as possible for procedures. There might be procedures that have to be done away from you but you will give your dog much more confidence if you are there to comfort him. Ask your vet if you can accompany him, and if that’s not possible, consider switching to a veterinary practice that allows you to stay with your dog throughout the examination.
- Ask the vet techs to get a non-slip mat for the floor or table. Most examination tables are metal and slippery. This makes dogs very uncomfortable and even more insecure. You can also bring a familiar mat or non-slip rug from home.
- Take tasty treats with you and give them to your dog while you are waiting. If your dog is too stressed he might not feel like eating, and that’s okay. Talk to him in a soothing voice instead.
- If your dog likes being touched, give him a massage to relax him. Long, gentle strokes should bring down his stress levels. If this seems to agitate him, stop, as it might be too much stimulation in that situation.
- Try to stay calm yourself, even if your dog gets worked up. Many dogs feel their guardian’s stress and it could upset them more.
- Some dogs become so anxious that they need medication in order to tolerate a veterinary exam. Talk to your vet if you find your dog is unable to be handled.
- For wellness visits and simple procedures consider having a veterinary practice that comes to your home. This kind of medical practice is becoming a lot more popular.
Your dog might never come to love the veterinarian’s office, but you can make the experience better for him by creating positive associations, providing comfort, staying calm, and working with your veterinary team.
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