Taking your dogs to their annual veterinary visits can be overwhelming and stressful to say the least. Unfortunately most pets are not having positive associations built in these environments. Quite frankly it’s usually the opposite, the average pet owner is not aware of the amount of scary and stressful experiences that are being put into these visits and although WE know it’s for their best interest, our dogs are not conscious of this.
As a dog’s owner/guardian/leader it is your responsibility to protect and advocate for them through these times. Here are a few tips on how you can help build more positive outcomes and improve their experience at the veterinary hospital through cooperative care training:
Desensitize & Counter condition to examinations:
You will want to start this at your home. Most dogs are more comfortable in their own homes, since this is an environment they have been able to learn how to relax. You will start by using their meals and conditioning them to typical vet visit practices. This includes examining their ears, eyes, the inside of their mouths, touching their legs, paws and belly. You will want to praise and reward with food for them allowing you to do this. Next you can move to having someone they are less familiar with examine them, like a family member or close friend and do this in less familiar places. The goal is to combine the reward (food) to the experience making a more positive impression. The final step would be to do this at the office with the veterinarian.
Desensitize to physical restraining and train them to lie on their sides:
While doing a physical exam may by easy for the Doctor to do when the pet is standing or calmly sitting. This may not always work when it comes to taking blood samples, giving injections, trimming nails or other procedures. Most dogs will need to be put into restraining position or on their sides. The more comfortable we can make this for the dog the better for everyone.
Bring your dog to the vet without an actual appointment:
When you only bring your dog to the vet once a year and each time it’s a stressful experience this will set your dog back into a negative mindset whenever they are put into that environment. Instead bring your dog to the vet office as a regular field trip and even ask if you can do some training inside the lobby. This will help to make different associations for your dogs.
Muzzle training:
Training your dog to be comfortable wearing a muzzle will be beneficial for the dog and the staff. This builds confidence and comfortability while keeping everyone safe.
Advocate for your dogs:
Don’t be afraid to communicate with the veterinary staff on your boundaries and requests to help make the visit as calming and enjoyable as possible. This may include requesting a fear free approach, splitting up visits to not do all things at once, using treats licky mats or anything the dog finds soothing in the exam rooms, as well as being open about your dog’s triggers.
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