Taking your canine friend to the vet can often be as harrowing as just the thought of your dog being ill. For many people this check-up is an exercise in patience as their dogs are introduced to a variety of unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells.
When it comes to taking your dog to the vet, whether it’s a first time visit, yearly check up or illness/injury based appointment there are some things you can do to make the trip a little easier; both for you and your four-legged friend.
• From an early age, try to socialise your dog: get them used to not only other animals and people, but a variety of sounds and smells. Many vet practices or dog training programs run a puppy class; these classes generally run for about 6 weeks and can be started from when you first bring your new puppy home.
• When you’re at home with your pet take the time to get him used having his mouth opened and tail lifted etc doing this will make it a little less stressful the first time the vet approaches to do the same thing.
• Depending on the size of your dog get him used to both being lifted and/or carried in a pet carrier as well as leash and collar trained.
• As the owner keep track of any medical problems, allergies, worming dates and vaccinations etc so you have the answers on hand should your vet request any further information.
• If you use treats as a reward in your training remember to take some with you when you visit the veterinarian, them and positive praise will go a long way toward keeping your dog calm while being examined. If for certain reasons you cannot take treats to the vets: fasting, don’t allow them in the surgery etc perhaps try taking their favourite blanket or something else they can associate with home, comfort and safety.
These are just a few tips to hopefully help make your visits to the vets a little more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
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