The visit to the vet is a great challenge for many dogs and also their owners. The reason for this is that at the veterinarian usually something happens that your dog does not like or which can even feel unpleasant. Therefore, he associates feelings of fear, anxiety or stress with this place.
To make it easier for your dog to go to the vet next time, we have prepared 3 tips for you and your dog!
Medical Training
Practice various examination procedures together with your healthy dog in familiar surroundings. A high reward rate is important here so that your dog associates certain movements or circumstances, e.g. standing on a table, with positive feelings. A special tool for this training is the Clicker. If he is properly conditioned, the clicking sound will cause your dog to release happiness hormones and thus bring him into a different mood. Afterwards, of course, you must not forget his reward.
Establish Commands
Especially for insecure dogs who are reluctant to be touched, it can help to prepare him by certain commands to let someone touch them. For example, you can give your dog a word signal for each part of his body. Before you touch your dog, for example, by his ears, you say “ear” and only then do you really touch this body part. Also here you should reward every touch with food or a game at the beginning.
Finding the right veterinarian
The choice of the veterinarian plays a very important role. Make sure that you and your dog feel completely comfortable during the treatment and also in the waiting area. Not only the professional competence is always important, but also an affectionate contact with humans and animals. Ask your veterinarian if you can come even before there is a good reason to come by with your dog. On the one hand, this has the advantage that you can get an idea of the them and their team, on the other hand, your dog can perceive the surroundings in a very positive way because no treatment is planned yet. Instead, you can take some food with you and ask the team to feed your dog a few treats.
In addition to these three tips, you should always remember to stay calm and relaxed yourself. If you stay confident and calm, your dog will feel the same!
