August 25th, 2010
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Next time you have a slow day, drive over to your vet’s office, take your dog inside, and have everyone at the office give your dog a treat. Then leave. Your dog will be left with a pleasant impression of the vet’s office (“It’s the place I go to get treats!”). Do this a few times, and you should find your dog is much more relaxed about going to the vet’s office when you actually have an appointment.
Note: Call your vet’s office in advance to make sure it’s not too busy when you do this. Irith Bloom is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog, a company offering pet-friendly training services to clients in Los Angeles. |
If you have a good vet who really cares about animals your dog should be fine. The carring comes thru load and clear. My dogs both love the vet and I can say the same for past dogs also. Even my Rotty who I put to sleep 2 years ago and went thru chemo, acupuncture, and weekly treatments was always glad to see the vet and they to see her. I would recommend a vet who works with large animals (horses, cows etc.) they seem to be more in tune with any animal and less focused on the next patient instead of yours.
Oh my, The Rufus just loved going to the vet. Before we sold our big house on Normandy Blvd., we would walk to our vet and Rufus would literally drag me behind and he was a very well behaved little dog, but just loved going to the his vet so much and could hardly wait to get there or anywhere for that matter.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I take both of my dogs, even if it’s just one dog’s appointment, so that they learn it’s not always a bad experience. In fact, when given the opportunity to choose his own walk, my beagle heads right for the vet’s office, and it thrills the vet to the core!
Colleen and Sheryll: There is no question that some people are lucky and either their pets are already relaxed around the vet, or the vet has the right touch. I’m glad that is the case with you!
Diane: Thank you for the kind comment! I’m glad your dog likes the vet’s office so much!
Unfortunately Colleen that’s not always true. My parent’s vet is awesome (and I now take my dog there), but it didn’t stop their dog from being a nervous wreck. No matter how kind the vet is, the visits can still be uncomfortable (shots hurt; temperature being taken is nerve-wracking for some dogs; etc.) and some dogs will react in fear to that.
Michelle: Thank you for offering your perspective on this! Like you, I have met dogs who are nervous at the vet’s office no matter how kind the veterinarian is, and one factor is most likely that the only time they see the vet is when something painful is involved.