Preparing for the vet: make your visits easier

Going to the vet can be stressful. Long not every dog likes to go in the office, because most of the time it means no good. Even going for the yearly wellness and vaccinations leaves core memories to your dog. On this day, the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, we investigate some ways to prepare your companion for a trip to the vet, whether it’s for the yearly check-up or for something else!

Give enough information while calling the vet

If your dog is new to the vet, it’s important to give them as much information as possible. During your first phone call they ask you a lot of questions, but you can tell what you want about your dog too. The most important information that the vet needs, is:

·      The breed

·      Age  

·      Medical history

·      Any concerns you might have

You can also already tell something about the temperament of your dog before going to the vet. When your dog is shy, fear-aggressive, reactive or overly friendly it’s good to mention this. This can help set up an appointment that doesn’t give much stress for you and your dog and the professionals know what to do to make the visit as pleasant as possible. If there’s any medical concerns, you can already mention this. This way the vet already knows what to look for.

Preparing all your dog’s information

The first visit of the vet, you need to make sure that you bring all documentation of previous vaccinations. When you buy a dog from a breeder, the breeder has the vet records available. When you adopt a dog from a rescue or shelter you can ask for the vaccination record and spay/neuter report. This way the vet can put everything in their system, to make sure that everything stays up to date and you can get reminders when your dog is due for the next round. Other medical information when available can be put in the system too. Every visit the professionals can look at the medical records and make sure that everything is going well.

Also make sure that you get the samples you need. During a wellness visit, the vet will ask you to bring a stool sample. This sample can’t be too old. Make sure your dog goes for a potty break before stepping in the car and collect the sample in a bag. You can use a poop bag for it, but also a zip lock bag when preferred. If it’s not possible to collect the sample, the vet can take it during the visit. The sample is important to check for parasites, worms and other oddities, so you can give the right treatment right away and make sure your dog is back to being healthy.

Making your companion used to handling

From the moment your dog enters the vet, there will be touching. First you have to put him or her on a scale to get the weight, then the dog has to go on the table for the examination. It’s important that your dog gets used to being handled. Gradually introduce your dog to handling by touching their paws, ears, lips and other body parts. Every time you touch a body part, you give the dog a treat. Eventually you can give treats every other time or after a few touches. The more you practice this in a positive way, the easier it is for the vet to do the exam and vaccinations. It can also help the dog stay calm during the visit.

The handling in combination with a good socialization makes sure that the dog will feel better at the office and won’t cause much trouble. Start with letting the dog get familiar with different people, animals and surroundings. This doesn’t mean that the dog has to meet everyone, but can walk in public without causing a scene. Make sure that you turn everything into something positive and add new things gradually. The more you do it, the easier it gets for the dog to go somewhere.

Going to the vet with a nervous dog

Not every dog is calm and relaxed while entering a vet’s office. Some dogs already have a history with being handled the wrong way and others are born with a nervous demeanor. But this doesn’t mean you can’t go to the vet with your companion! There are multiple things you can do to help your dog calm down. Some like to use multiple calming techniques, like playing musics or a calming collar, while other dogs find more comfort in a calm owner. Your own emotions play a crucial roll during a visit! When you’re already stressed out, the dog will be stressed too. Try to stay calm and positive and reassure your four-legged friend that it’s going to be okay! And don’t forget to use positive reinforcement. Give your dog treats or praise for good behavior. The dog will eventually connect the ‘trigger’ to something positive and is more likely to stay calm during another visit.

Training for the vet

So far we’ve only been talking about what you can do to help your dog getting used to a trip to the vet and what to do when your dog is nervous. But there are also a few training exercises you can do. These exercises are not only fun to add to your obedience schedule, but also help you and the vet during the visit. One of the main cues you can teach your dog is ‘stand’. Most vets prefer the dog to be in a standing position during the examinations, because it gives a better view of the body parts. It also helps them to check muscles and joints.  You can teach your dog to stand by starting in a sit position. Hold a treat in your hand, in front of the nose. Slowly pull the treat away and lure the dog in a stand. When the dog knows what to do, you can add a ‘stay’, so the dog will stay in this position.

Teaching your dog ‘touch’ is another cue that can help at the vet. With this cue you learn your dog to touch something with its nose. You can, for example, teach the dog to touch your hand. Because the dog will touch a target, the rest of the body will automatically follow. This can help to reposition the dog, so the vet can look from another angle. It also helps to distract the dog. Because the dog has to touch your hand, you can reward right away. Especially for dog that are nervous and need this distraction, it can be a good way to help your companion get distracted from vaccinations and other handling.

Make a vet visit fun

Whatever you do, it’s important to make a visit to the vet as fun as possible. Most visits will involve needles and handling, but the dog can still get a positive feeling out of it. One way to let the dog associate the office with something fun, is by going over once in a while without an appointment. A lot of vets offer moments where you can walk in, let the dog play with the vet techs and sniff around. They also get some treats. These visits show the dog that the people working there are nice and that the building isn’t scary. Make sure to call before you go over, so the professionals know why you are there and actually having time for the visits. The next time you’re going, your dog will react different!

Do you want to know more about our obedience training and how we can help preparing your dog for a vet visit with our private training? Send us a message!