Visiting the Vet: How to Keep Your Anxious Dog Calm
If your dog gets nervous when it goes to the vets, you may be concerned about how you will cope when you need to take your pooch to the vet for a check-up, vaccinations or treatment. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to calm your pet during its next trip to the veterinary clinic. Read on to find out more.
Lead by example
Dogs are very observant animals who will react to visual signals given off by their owners. This means that your actions during the visit to the vet will have a big impact on how your dog reacts. If you are nervous about the appointment because you know they may become distressed, it is likely that your dog will pick up on this fact, leading to them becoming distressed, which in turn is likely to make you increasingly anxious. The only way to break this vicious circle is to lead by example. You should take steps to make sure you are calm on the day of the appointment. If possible, clear your schedule so you are not in a rush. You should stroke your dog to reassure it. You should also make sure that every action is slow and deliberate so that your pet is not startled.
Bring along a toy
Dogs are social animals which form attachments to other animals and toys. If your pet gets nervous when it visits the vet, you can help to ease their anxiety by making sure they have their favourite toys with them. Canines navigate the world using the sense of smell. The smell of the toy will be very familiar to the dog, and this will help to reassure your pet when it is confronted by the strange smells found in the clinic. However, you should make sure that toy is not too large and that it does not make a noise. A toy which is too large or which makes a loud noise could disturb other animals in the waiting room.
Speak to the vet
The vet will be used to seeing animals which are anxious. As you lead the dog into the treatment room, you should let the vet know that they may become anxious when on the table. If the vet feels it is necessary, they may offer to administer a sedative to the dog which will help them to keep calm during the examination or treatment.
For further advice, you should contact your vet today.