Nobody likes taking their dog to the vet, but it is a necessary evil. Unfortunately, it can be a very traumatic experience for a puppy, who can start to have negative associations with going in a car, certain smells, and even simply entering the street on which the vet is located. It is up to you to make sure that the relationship between your dog and the vet is a positive one. Luckily, lots of tips have been provided as well as reminders on just how important it is to take your dog to the vet regularly, through http://www.webvets.com. Here is a short run down on how to make these visits easy and painless.
Make Sure Your Puppy Is Prepared
- Go have a walk with your pup before you go to the vet. If you have any worm concerns, this is important because you will also need a stool sample. You don’t need much, so make sure you pick some up when you poop scoop to hand over straight away. Plus, your dog will get to enjoy the walk.
- Have your dog inside the crate, if you use them, when you drive to the vet and when you enter the vet’s office. If you don’t have a crate, keep your dog on a leash so that they can’t run off. Even the best trained dog can disobey its commands because it is scared.
- If your dog doesn’t socialize with other dogs, leave it in your vehicle until it is actually your turn. Simply notify the vet that you are there, and they will call you when it’s your turn.
- Bring some treats and make sure the vet hands some of these over. This way, your dog will also have a positive connotation when it comes to vets.
- Stay with your dog for the duration of their examination and talk to them to distract them from the more painful procedures.
Your vet should also weigh your puppy, check their ears, skin, and eyes, possibly take a rectal temperature, palpitate the abdomen, check the genital areas, and listen to the heartbeat of your pampered pooch. This will give them the opportunity to find out whether there are any hidden problems, including body fluids transfer, blood cells, chaffed skin and hums, and more. Additionally, is a chance for you to ask any questions.
None of these examinations are painful for your dog. In fact, even vaccinations barely hurt at all. It is your role to make sure, however, that the vet office is seen as a safe place to be, not a frightening one. Make sure that you fuss over your dog and give them plenty of cuddles. You need to make sure that you build a more positive association, so go do something fun as soon as you leave the vet. This will make a huge difference to how your dog feels about going to the vet’s office in future.
