How to help your dog stay calm during vet visits
Keeping your dog calm during vet visits doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there are several steps you can take to make your next trip a little easier for both you and your pet.
Importance of Having A Calm Dog
A nervous, fearful dog can also make it difficult for the veterinarian to properly perform a physical exam. This limits the care that the veterinary team can safely provide. In some cases, it may be necessary to sedate an aggressive dog for its exam or tests. There are many things that owners can do to help calm their dog.
Keeping Your Dog Calm During Veterinary Appointments
Some dogs embrace new adventures. However, not all dogs feel the same, and their anxiety or reactive behavior can start as soon as they arrive at our front door. To help make their visits calmer and more positive, we recommend the following tips:
Socialize Your Dog
Developing socialization skills is essential for helping dogs overcome anxiety and fear in unfamiliar situations. Dogs that can respond calmly and appropriately to new experiences—whether with people or in new places—tend to be happier and often healthier companions. Supervised playtime with other friendly dogs, meeting new people, and visiting public places with unfamiliar sights and sounds are all effective ways to desensitize dogs to new environments and build their socialization skills.
Pay attention to how your dog is doing. Remember that some dogs will display anxious behavior if they become overly stimulated by an activity. Socialization is a learned skill that often takes time and patience.
Calm Your Dog with Exercise
Exercise can calm dogs by releasing pent-up energy and endorphins, which can reduce stress and anxiety and promote feelings of happiness. Just like with humans, exercise can boost your dog’s mood. Consider taking your dog for an extra-long walk, playing a game of fetch, or letting them play with a neighbor’s dog.
Using Massage to Calm
A gentle massage is an effective way to help both people and animals relax. Rather than hugging, holding, or stroking your dog—which can sometimes increase their fear—try giving a calming massage. Start behind the ears and slowly work your way down the spine. Massaging under the chin and chest can also help your dog feel more at ease.
Calming Treats
For anxious dogs, consider using pheromone treatments or calming treats. Pheromones mimic the scent of a nursing mother, which can help soothe even adult dogs. A spray or collar is ideal for bringing along to the vet. Give the calming treats before the appointment and try scheduling your visit during a quieter time to avoid a rushed atmosphere. If your dog continues to struggle with vet visits, consult your veterinarian. There are other options to ensure a thorough examination with minimal stress for your dog.
Train Your Dog to Wear a Muzzle
Train your dog to wear a muzzle. A muzzle does not mean that your dog is a bad dog. It just means that your dog sometimes reacts inappropriately. When introduced in a positive way, dogs learn to accept it in the same way they accept a collar and leash. Putting the muzzle on before you arrive for your appointment, the muzzle is not associated with a bad experience. If you need help with muzzle training, a private consultation with our Behavior Specialist can help you get started. Additional muzzle training guidance can be found at muzzleupproject.com.
Talk To A Veterinary Behaviorist
It’s important to train your dog on basic obedience skills. Your dog should know sit, down, come and stay. If you’re not sure how to proceed, our Behavior Specialist will be happy to advise you on the type of training most appropriate for your dog’s needs.
Striving for Happy Visits
At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we’re here to help pets. It’s important that visits are not overly stressful for pets or their human companions. Hopefully, these tips will be useful and, as always, please contact us if you need additional assistance helping your dog with its next visit to see us.
