Playing Doctor with Your Dog and Other Ways to Relax Your Dog When You Need to Visit the Vet

A good bedside manner is an essential trait for any doctor. But what about a vet? A vet has to deliver a precise professional service to a patient who will really have no idea what is going on. No matter how calm and kind your vet might be, it's common for dogs to be wary or even afraid when it comes time to visit the clinic. This is an entirely reasonable response, but it's up to you to make sure that your dog is as calm as possible. Fortunately, it doesn't take too much to ensure that your dog stays relaxed when the vet is doing their job. It's virtually impossible to make your pet enjoy the situation, but you can at least make sure that they tolerate it with good humour.

Strange Smells

A vet clinic is a medical facility and so it has a sterile feeling (much like a hospital). The strange smell of cleaning products coupled with the more familiar and yet exciting smells of other dogs is enough to unsettle even the calmest of pooches. If your dog needs to be admitted to the clinic for any period of time (such as for desexing), it's a good idea to visit first. Clear it with the clinic staff, but it shouldn't be a problem to bring your dog to the clinic a few days before the procedure. Allow your dog to sniff and explore, and introduce them to the clinic staff if possible. This subsequent familiarity will make them far less stressed when you need to drop them off at a later date.

Playing Doctor

Your dog runs and plays and is maybe even allowed to snuggle with you on the sofa. These are all activities that the dog is used to and enjoys. Your dog is certainly not used to being lifted onto a table before being poked and prodded. It's time to play doctor with your doggy. Lift your dog onto a table or bench (lift with your knees) that has been covered with an old towel or rug to prevent your dog from slipping. You can then examine your dog as a vet would when performing a physical examination. Grasp your dog at various points on their body, applying light pressure. It's all about getting your dog used to being examined while in an elevated position. Reward your dog with praise and treats for remaining still.

Being There

When your dog is actually being examined by the vet, try to stay by their side. Your presence will be a great comfort and will help to overcome the dog's confusion that it's now a stranger doing the poking and prodding (even though you've practised at home). It's important for you to remain calm as well, since dogs are excellent at noticing the stress level of their owners. If you're worried that your dog might in fact become aggressive during the examination, a muzzle might be necessary. Discuss this with your vet, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

With a few doctor games and a little bit of familiarisation, there's no reason why your dog can't be a model patient, even when it's time for the rectal thermometer!