If you are like me, I use to worry about the vet. It seemed like no matter how much I socialized and planned the dogs were always scared of the vet. I also was not able to go visit the vet a few times a week to feed them or say hi to all their wonderful work. My vet is 35 to 45 minutes away. Every visit to the vet I needed to make sure that it was pleasant for them, and for the most part it goes pretty well now. I am writing this to help you make the vet visit as pleasant for you and your Furbaby.
1. Try to get there about 30 to 45 minutes early. Sit in the car for about 5 minutes while they just look around. Talk with them and make them feel good. After the 5 minutes get your dog on leash and walk around the outside of the vet’s office. Let them lead, they are making sure it is safe and the more they are not allowed to check it out, the more anxious they will be. The best thing you can do is just let them be, and more importantly be calm, take a deep breath and you will see the change. Try to lead them to the door after 15 or 20 minutes of sniffing. You should see some kind of relaxation and any will do! Ask them to follow you and start heading to the door. They are most likely going to stop close to the door to sniff some more, give them a moment and start to step some more. When you are inside walk proud and confident and they will follow. Remind them tons how good they are being and then get checked in. In the waiting room practice sit and stay! Or down and stay! If that seems to be too much get up and walk a little with them don’t let them focus too much on everything else. Do whatever you need to, to get them focused on you.
Dogs HATE the Vet Rooms
never fails. So have a handful of treats and drop them on the floor when it is just you and your dog. Ask them to do something or sit on the floor with them so they know your comfortable also. You know your dog the best, this is when you need to be as creative as you can.
2. Now if you can go to your vet go there a few times a week and have the staff give some treats. Ask if you can weigh them. Hang out in the lobby for a bit, as long as the clinic does not mind. Also, go to a groomers office and ask if they are okay with you just hanging out for a bit. Allowing the dog to experience all the different smells of all kinds of animals will reduce the risk of fear in a controlled environment.
3. I have read that a lot of people taking their dogs to the vet and feeding them a meal there. Now I know some dogs just will not eat when stressed or scared. So until your dog is more comfortable I consider the other two options above until you feel they will eat when you are there.
Just keep socializing and understanding that they are scared of unfamiliar situations and even the best socialized dogs are still scared at the vet. Every visit to the vet is another chance to improve your dog’s feelings of stress and fear.
