Everyone knows that a trip to the veterinarian’s office can prove to be stressful for both you and your furbaby. Unfortunately to keep our pets healthy, we must make those periodic trips to see their doctor and make sure they are in good condition. And sometimes we have to take our animals to see a doctor when they are having complications of some kind. In that instance, the stress seems to pile on even more. Here are some helpful tips for you and Fido when you are making a trip to the vet for whatever reason.
Keep it Cool. One of the hardest things to do is to stay completely calm when you are having to tote your pet to the vet. All animals, dog especially, geed off of the emotional vibe that you are giving out. So if you’re stressing he or she probably will too. You could be anxious for a lot of reasons. Maybe your pooch is not-so-sweet around other people and dogs, so you get tense, or perhaps he or she is quite sick. Those are sufficient reasons to be antsy, sure, but for you sanity and the sake of your pet, stay calm and collected. Your pet most likely will follow suit.
Reward Good Behaviors. Just like in daily life with your pet, you need to reward the good behaviors. Same goes for when you are in the vet’s office. If you are going to the office with your pup, then take some small treats along with you so that if he or she does well, you can let him or her know. This way too, it will become a more habitual action and hopefully show up at the next visit.
Leash Your Dog. I know that it is important to trust your dog, but at the same time he or she definitely needs boundaries. I have seen so many people walk into the office without a leash on their dog. On a typical day Fido may stay close by the owner, but once all of the smells and other components of the vet’s office get into his nose, it is no longer a typical day for most. It is inconsiderate of the other patients and owners and also to the veterinarian staff that might have to help you track down your roaming pooch.
Hopefully your next visit to see the veterinarian will be smooth for both you and your pet.
