Preparing Your Dog for the First Vet Visit

One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to take him to the veterinarian on a regular basis. Annual check-ups are the best way to identify health problems early and to prevent other types of health issues, such as heartworm. However, these vet visits are not always pleasant experiences for our canine companions.

The good news is you can start taking actions now that will help your dog be ready for these visits.

Early Preparations for the Visit

When you vet examines your dog, he or she will have to do things that your dog is not going to like. Most dogs, for example, do not want anyone prying open their mouth to examine their teeth or handling their feet. Some dogs might not want to be touched by a stranger at all.

You can change this by teaching your dog from a very early age to get used to these types of interactions. Making them as pleasant as possible will help immensely. Remember this is another type of socialization, too.

To get started, you need some treats your puppy or dog enjoys. Then wait until your dog is already pretty calm, perhaps after a walk or visit to the dog park. Start slowly by just touching your dog's paws or ears. If he starts to growl or pull away, correct him then repeat the exercise. Once your dog allows you to touch his paws and ears calmly and without resistance, reward him with a treat and praise. Keep repeating this daily or every couple of days.

As your dog becomes more comfortable, you can increase the interaction. You can hold his paw and eventually begin to examine it the same way your vet might. You can do this with the ears, too. Remember to always praise and reward your dog after each positive interaction.

You can also repeat the process with other sensitive parts of your dog's body, including the mouth and the tail.

By making the experience pleasant and relaxing for your dog, he will no longer view these behaviors as threatening and will be calmer at the vet's office.

Nervousness & Distrust at the Vet

Even with this preparation, your dog might still act up at the vet's office. If you are nervous, your dog will pick up on your attitude and will mirror your emotions. Keep in mind your dog won't understand that you are fearful on his behalf; he will only know you are fearful and that means the vet is not someone to trust.

The best way to manage this behavior is for you not to even think about being nervous. Focus on your dog and keeping him well-behaved with treats. In many cases, other people at the office will want to pet your dog or give him attention, let that happen. It will help your dog associate the visit with pleasant experiences, plus it will give you a distraction to take your mind off of your nerves.

Some dog behavior experts have suggested the smell of your breath may change when you are nervous or fearful and that your dog can pick this change up. They recommend chewing gum to mask the smell.

Another way to help both of you relax more is by visiting the vet even when a check-up isn't needed. For example, consider dropping in every month to pick up the heartworm medication or flea treatment and bring along the dog. When he (and you) start realizing vet visits aren't something to worry about, he'll relax and so will you.

Dealing with a Challenging Dog

Unfortunately, if you adopt an older dog you may have to spend more time working on this aspect of socialization. If your dog does have a problem being touched or messed with, you need to warn your vet ahead of time. Don't wait until your vet gets nipped.

Difficult dogs can still be examined but precautions may need to be taken. For instance, your dog may need to be muzzled or even sedated to be thoroughly examined. While this might seem frightening for you, it's better to allow these precautions to be used so your dog can be checked and can be kept as healthy as possible.