A Trip to the Vets

How to prepare your dog for a visit to the vets

You can help your dog by desensitising them to all these things. Try building up a set of positive experiences around the vet so that your dog is comfortable and relaxed for their actual medical appointment. You need to build up slowly and not overwhelm your dog:

• Make sure you regularly touch your dog all over, including feet and nails, opening their mouths, looking at and cleaning their ears, running your hands all over their body. Reward and praise your dog whilst you are doing this and it will help your dog not to panic when the vet does it. Also you will become aware of any sensitive areas so you can forewarn the vet.

• Practice visiting the vets with no medical exam happening. Start by just walking around outside and feeding treats, then on the next journey go just inside the door, then take your dog up to the reception and ask the staff to give him a treat, sit down in the waiting area, go on the scales. Hopefully by the time you need to go for an appointment, your dog will have a positive association with going to the vets and not be panicked.

• If your dog is particularly nervous around other dogs, make a plan and ask the staff if he can stay in the car rather than the waiting room. Then only bring him in when the vet is ready to see him so he doesn’t get too worked up.

• If your dog might need to be muzzled, then make sure you practice putting the muzzle on at home so that no negative associations are made.

• If your dog gets really anxious due to a previous bad experience, then consider whether you need to transport your dog in a crate, or whether you may need some sedation to help.

If you are worrying and need help to make a plan, or to help desensitise after a bad experience, then please get in touch.