Trips to the vet can be scary for dogs.With a little training and planning, you can help keep your dog calm during vet visits.You might need to fast your dog or follow other instructions if you want to keep its anxiety in check.On the day of the exam, try to stick to your dog's normal routine, and have its favorite treats handy to keep it calm in the waiting room.
Step 1: If you teach your dog a touch cue, it will not fear an approaching hand.
Stand near your dog.When it sniffs or touches its nose to your hand, offer a pea-sized treat and say, "Yes!"Put your hand behind your back and wait for your dog to sniff it.When you present your hand, repeat the sequence until your dog approaches it.Whenever it sniffs your hand, say the cue to touch.Stand further away from the command and your dog will have to walk several steps to get to you.Dogs back away from people.Your dog can form a positive association with being touched.The vet will start the exam if you touch your dog's nose.
Step 2: As you handle its paws, mouth and ears, reward it with treats.
Lift your dog's lips to see its teeth, ears, and paws.Encourage it to remain calm with lots of verbal praise and reward good behavior with its favorite treats.It might resist initially, but try to be patient.As soon as it behaves calmly, offer praise and a treat.Try again in 20 or 30 minutes if it seems stressed out.If your dog resists being touched, don't scold or punish it.If it tolerates being handled, you want it to earn a reward.It could form a negative association with being examined if it is Punished.
Step 3: If your small dog doesn't like being picked up, give it a "pick up" cue.
If your dog is not used to being picked up, teach it a cue.Say "pick up!" and reward it with praise and a treat.After a few seconds, put it back down and keep practicing.If you have a small or medium dog, the vet or vet tech will most likely pick it up and place it on an examination table.Being picked up and placed on a high exam table can be frightening, so practice ahead of time.If you have a large adult dog, the vet will likely examine it on the floor, so you don't need to worry about picking it up.
Step 4: Establish your dog on a table.
Pick up your dog and place it on a table.Give it a treat and let it know the table is a good thing.After a few seconds, put it back on the floor and repeat the exercise.The coffee table or ottoman is a good starting point for table training.If your dog tries to jump, be on guard and hold it to prevent falls.
Step 5: Get your dog used to standing on a scale.
If your dog is small, put it on a scale.Praise and reward calm behavior with a treat.When your dog walks onto the scale to get the reward, say "Yes!" and give it the treat.Your dog might be stressed out by the vet weighing it.If your dog resists, don't scold it or force it to stay on the scale.Try to get it to stay on the scale for a long time with praise and treats.A towel or mat can be used to teach a large dog a place cue.You might not be able to replicate the feeling of a tipping scale, so make sure to give it high-value treats and praise when it is weighed at the vet's office.
Step 6: Before your dog's appointment, make a social visit to the vet office.
For your dog's first vet appointment or first time seeing a new vet, ask the office if you could stop by for a social visit.While the vet is busy, the receptionist and vet tech will most likely be able to say hello to your dog and give it some treats.When you schedule the appointment, ask if you can make a social visit.When they are usually slow, try to stop by outside of peak hours.Social visits will be familiar to the vet's office.If you stop by before the appointment, your dog will form a positive association with the office.New patient paperwork can be filled out at the social visit.
Step 7: Do you need to fast your dog before the appointment?
Some vets tell owners to not eat for 6 to 12 hours before an appointment.It's necessary for some tests and procedures to be fast.If they have to order blood work or an x-ray, the vet might advise it.If you don't know if you have to fast your dog, call the office.When your dog is on a fast, provide fresh water at all times.
Step 8: If the vet asks for a stool sample, you should collect it.
The sample should be collected within 12 hours of the appointment.Pick up your dog's stool and place it in a tightly sealed plastic bag or container.Don't touch the stool and wash your hands after you collect the sample.The vet will recommend that you keep the sample refrigerated if you collect it the night before the appointment.You can keep the double-bagged sample far away from food if you clear the bottom shelf of the fridge.After removing the sample from the fridge, clean the shelf with a mild bleach solution.If you don't know if they need a stool sample, call the vet's office.If you can coordinate your dog's potty walks with the appointment, a vet tech can collect samples.
Step 9: If the vet asks for a urine sample, you should collect it.
It can be difficult to collect a urine sample from a male or female dog.During the first walk of the day is the best time to get the sample.You can get a sterile specimen jar from the vet or the pharmacy.Place the container under the dog's urine stream if you want a male dog.Wait for a female dog to squat, then quietly slide the container under its rear end.If you want to avoid getting urine on your hands, wear latex or vinyl gloves.After collecting the sample, wash up thoroughly.If you need to collect a urine sample, call the vet's office.A fresh sample can be collected within an hour of the appointment.The sample can be refrigerated for up to 12 hours.
Step 10: If you have to, organize your dog's medical records.
Take your dog's vaccination history, a list of its current and past medications, and any x-rays or other records.If it is your dog's first vet visit or first time seeing a new vet, bring these.If you are taking a puppy to the vet for the first time, you will probably only have the vaccination record from the shelter.Puppies generally get a vet exam within a week of birth and receive their first vaccinations within 6 to 8 weeks.
Step 11: On the day of the appointment, stick to your normal routine.
Feed, walk, and do other activities will keep your dog calm.If you change your routine, your dog will be suspicious.A brisk walk can burn off energy and help it stay calm at the vet's office.Check with the vet if you want to fast.Walk and play if you can't feed your dog breakfast.
Step 12: You can keep your dog calm by giving him treats or a toy.
The vet's office has treats and toys for your dog.Praise and a treat for calm behavior.If it barks, growls or shakes, distract it with a toy and give it a treat as soon as it calms down.Try to have your dog lie down in the waiting room if it knows basic commands.It is possible to calm and distract your dog by practicing commands.
Step 13: Relax your dog with calm body language.
It can be difficult to bring your dog to the vet.Try not to act like you are worried.Think about something that is funny or calming while taking deep breaths.It's a good idea to practice commands and play games with your dog.Taking your dog to the vet for a health issue is frightening and overwhelming.Do your best to remain calm.If you keep your emotions in check, you will be able to comfort your pet.
Step 14: If your dog is aggressive, let the office know.
If you have to, tell the office that your dog is anxious or doesn't like being around other animals.Most vets know how to deal with fearful or aggressive pets.You will most likely be able to work with the office to make your visit stress-free.Try to schedule the appointment when the office is not busy.You might be able to wait for the vet and vet tech in a vacant exam room instead of sitting in the waiting room.If a vacant room isn't available, ask if you and your dog can wait in your car or walk around the block.When an exam room is available, text or call the office.