MOTHER KNOWS BEST

 

    

Dear Mom,

Making vet visits is very stressful to our dog. We just got a puppy and want his experiences with our vet to be more positive. How do we make vet visits more fun?

Thanks, Unhinged at Vet

 

Dear Unhinged,

Even the most mild-mannered of dogs can become unhinged when they have to visit their vet. Luckily they are spared the anxiety of knowing they have a visit coming up. But your dog will know the minute he sets foot in the waiting room that something is up. Many of the larger clinics have many dogs and cats in their waiting rooms and that alone can be enough to make a nervous wreck of the most calm dog. Start out by getting your puppy used to car rides. Make them good trips with a stop at the beach, park, or friend’s house. Stop by your vet’s for a meet and greet, without an actual appointment and procedure taking place. Allow your dog to get acquainted with the vet staff and let him explore his new surroundings. This will help make the next visit more less difficult.

Some dogs look at big waiting rooms as the best thing in the world with plenty of opportunity to visit others. Some are totally upset by this and nothing can convince them there is anything good ever going to happen here. If you have this personality type there may be nothing you can do to convince them otherwise. If your hospital has multiple vets on staff you might consider interviewing them with your dog in attendance. If your dog likes one more than another consider scheduling your visits with that vet whenever possible. You and your dog both have to be comfortable with the situation.

Get to your first appointment early. Find a place to park, get your paper work filled out and then bring the dog in for his appointment. Carry some tasty treats and make him as comfortable as possible.

A good vet will try and make your dog as relaxed as possible and as comfortable as possible. Discuss any necessary procedures with him, such as nail trimming or ear cleaning. At the end of your appointment praise your dog for his good behavior and give your vet a hearty thanks. You need to have a good relationship with your vet as your dog’s health and care is in his/her hands for many years to come.

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Good friends are like Angels.

You don’t have to see them to know they are there.