Taking your dog to the veterinarian is a necessity of dog ownership. At least once per year, you should take your dog for a check up. This not only helps screen for underlying health issues, but also helps keep your dog up to date on vaccinations and other preventative measures as well as gives you an opportunity to raise any concerns.
Just as some people don’t like going to the doctor, the veterinary clinic can be a stressful place for dogs, too. However, as with most things in life, preparation is key and with some work and training, you can make the veterinary experience as stress free as possible. In this article, we are going to outline some of the key strategies you can implement to make going to the veterinarian a less stressful experience.
Socialization
Veterinary practices are full of new people, new dogs, and other animals. If your dog never has the opportunity to interact with strangers or different types of animals, going to the vet could be overwhelming. Just the sheer number of animals passing in and out of veterinary practices creates an abundance of new smells for your dog to discover.
Socialization is a vital component of a well-rounded dog, and it can make vet appointments easier to handle. Getting your dog out in new environments and allowing controlled interactions with other dogs, people, and objects from a young age can help them to behave appropriately in new settings. Many people think dog parks are the perfect place to socialize your dog to other dogs, but in fact, we do not recommend them as they often cause more behavioral problems than they solve (more on that in a different blog). Instead, to begin socializing with other dogs, find fellow owners with social or neutral dogs who will provide a positive experience for your pup. Similarly, find local places that allow dogs on the premises to begin socializing them to people and everyday objects. It is a great practice to set up scenarios for your dog to meet people where you have worked out how you want the person to interact with your dog to create positive repetitions in an environment. Socialization is an ongoing process throughout the dog’s life and there are many positive solutions to it. We also do not recommend group classes as a means to begin socializing your dog, but they can definitely be utilized later in their training if they are social or neutral in that environment.
Obedience
Teaching your dog basic obedience is the foundation of good behavior and offers you the most critical component – control. Knowing how to “sit”, “down”, “place” and “stay” are the most fundamental commands and these can make it much easier for your veterinarian to check over your dog. Obedience will also give you confidence as the owner that you will be able to manage your dog’s behavior.
As part of your obedience training, on top of socialization, you should be practicing these commands in multiple environments as you begin to increase the distraction levels and complexity for your dog outside of your home setting. This will help your dog to generalize their behaviors, so they know that whether they are at home, out on a walk, or at the veterinarian, they need to consistently and reliably execute the obedience behavior you have commanded. Bringing treats to the appointment can make it easier to encourage your dog to perform their obedience commands. It is crucial to have an understanding of your dog’s hierarchy of reward so that if you need to increase the level of reinforcement based on the environment that you are prepared to do so.
Desensitize your dog to human touch beforehand
Most veterinarian appointments will, naturally, involve veterinarians putting their hands on your dog’s body as part of a physical exam. A thorough physical exam includes touching their back, belly, paws, ears, lips and teeth as well as other areas. For dogs who are unfamiliar with having these areas handled, this can be stressful and put the veterinarian or veterinary staff at risk.
Handling your dog’s various body parts and manipulating them can help desensitize them to human touch. There are two ways you can do this. The first is to have friends and family members pet and touch your dog (in a safe manner). This can help your dog get accustomed to being touched by people other than you. Secondly, you should periodically look at their teeth, check their paws and trim their nails. These activities can help your dog to relax and gain experience of being touched, which can prepare them for vet appointments.
Exercise them beforehand
Have you ever noticed how your dog likes to curl up in their bed after a lengthy walk or extended physical activity? Physical exercise is a great way to take the edge off heightened energy levels, and it can make them easier to manage. Take your dog for a walk prior to a vet appointment in order to calm them for the actual appointment. The walk may also help to calm any nerves you may be experiencing, too. This can be done before you leave home and once again when you arrive at the vet’s office.
Communicate with your veterinarian
Having a great relationship with your vet is beneficial for a number of reasons. Having a clear understanding of their recommendations and guidance can ultimately result in better health outcomes for your pet. Clear and open communication helps to foster a stronger relationship and keep all parties involved safe.
If you’re nervous about your vet appointment, you aren’t the first dog owner to feel that way. Speak to the veterinary office beforehand about any concerns you have about your dog’s behavior, and be honest during the appointment with your veterinarian. In many circumstances, your vet will allow you to bring your dog to the office to socialize even when you don’t have a scheduled appointment. You can then take advantage of creating positive experiences in short interactions without having them actually see the vet. This gives you a chance to have them explore objects, the environment, or the people they may encounter during an actual appointment. Again, make sure to have treats to reward positive behavior and interactions.
Stay calm and don’t rush
There are a lot of things to remember when it comes to taking your dog to the vet. If you’re feeling nervous about the appointment, you can only make things worse by rushing around and leaving yourself no leeway or spare time for your journey. Make sure that you have your dog in the vehicle with all necessary equipment and belongings with plenty of time to spare. This enables you to take a leisurely drive to the vet office, knowing that even if you’re anxious about many aspects of the appointment, being late isn’t one of the reasons why.
In conclusion
There are many ways to prepare your dog to make the experience at the veterinarian’s office a successful one. The aim is to enable your dog to be seen by the vet in a manner that ensures the safety of everyone involved, provides a low level of stress to your dog, and ultimately allows your vet to examine your dog to boost their health and wellbeing.
