VETERINARY VISITS: Helping Your Dog Enjoy Them 

In the Beginning

When you first get your puppy or dog, a veterinary visit is in order. Ideally the dog is healthy and the visit will consist of routine examination and perhaps some needle sticks for vaccination or blood testing.  Our goal is to make these initial experiences positive and rewarding.  Most puppies respond well to tasty treats and a happy, loving voice.  It’s a good idea if you don’t feed the puppy in the few hours before the visit. 

 

While puppies typically are bouncy and excited to meet new people, even at the vet’s office, more mature dogs will likely show moderate stress. Your reaction might be that this is to be expected, so why worry about it? For one thing, it can get worse, especially when the dog requires more difficult procedures. And for another, why leave your dog unhappy about something that will be a regular part of life, when you can turn it into something the dog handles comfortably? If a dog becomes severely stressed or is difficult for personnel to handle at this first visit, we’ll usually suggest a consultation with a trainer or a behavior specialist to work on the problem before it gets any worse. Getting these issues under control sooner than later, may prevent serious problems in other aspects of a dog’s life.

 

Be careful about the signals you are sending your puppy or dog.  Dr. Morgan always says “ reward the good behavior, ignore the bad behavior”.  If your puppy is calm and relaxed praise it often and give treats.  Try not to reinforce fear or anxiety by hugging or holding your dog and telling him it’s all right. 

Happy Times

Talk to the veterinary staff at a time things are not busy at the hospital. You may need to call and leave word for them to call you back when convenient. Ask what days and times tend to be quiet there, suitable for you to call ahead and then bring your dog by for treats and petting.  Bring along tiny, tasty treats so you can give your dog lots of little bits. The dog enjoys the smell and the experience of a treat more than its size. A high number of repetitions will make the experience more rewarding for the dog. Give treats when the dog is behaving calmly. You don't want to reward nervous or unruly behavior, but you don't want to punish the dog for it, either. This is good advice throughout the training of your dog, not just at the veterinarian’s office.

 

Encourage the staff to give your dog treats if they have time, and to pet the dog if your dog enjoys petting. They're usually savvy enough about dogs to sit or squat down and let the dog come to them, rather than advancing on the dog.  

Take your dog for several happy-time visits during the first months you spend together. After that, continue to do it occasionally. When you're going to the clinic for supplies and they're not busy, include the dog. Make these visits short, especially at first. Your goal is a few happy minutes for the dog, and then hit the road. Not only does this help your dog get to know the staff, but also several short sessions accomplish much more in the dog's ability to cope than a few long sessions.

Use every examination or treatment visit to the veterinarian to enhance your dog's enjoyment of going there, too. Always take treats, unless your dog can't have anything to eat that day due to illness or the procedure that's to be done. Encourage your dog to be happy about visiting the clinic, and reward your dog for relaxed behavior. Not only does this help your dog accept medical care now and in the future, but it also puts you in the frame of mind to best help your veterinarian help your dog.

In next month’s article we will be addressing preparedness for visiting the hospital and how a small doggie notebook might come in handy. Socialization and training will also be covered, as knowledge on these subjects can greatly enhance your dog’s lifestyle. As always, please let us know if there were topics you would like us to write about. More information on this topic and others can be found through the Pet Library.