Loving Veterinarian Visits

by Michael Baugh, CDBC, CPDT-KSA   

courtesy MichaelsDogs.com
Training at the Vet's Office

I get it. Your dog hates going to the vet. I get it. The dog gets poked and prodded, picked up and turned around. Add to that, the dog may not feel well in the first place – we are, after all, at the vet clinic. It’s not always a good experience and, fair enough, some dogs have an oh-heck-no attitude about the whole thing. (Your dog’s language may be a bit more graphic).

But what if I told you we could change all that? What if we could empower our dogs to handle vet visits with more calmness and composure? What if going to the vet was no big deal? What if it was fun?

Well oh heck yeah, grab your treat bag and put on your training britches. We can teach our dogs anything.  In fact, trainers and behavior experts around the world are busy right now teaching dogs how to behave better at the vet’s office. And more importantly, they’re teaching dogs how to feel better about the experience.

Check out this video and see for yourself. Then call your vet and get busy training.

  

  

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA teaches dog training in Houston and Katy TX. He produces video segments on dog training and behavior for KHOU-TV in Houston and WFAA-TV in Dallas. You'll find a list of Michael's articles at this link on All Things Dog Blog.

Bonding With Your Dog at Vet Visits

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Hi Doc! What's New?

No, I'm not telling you to cuddle and coo at your dog while he's at the veterinarian's office in order to bond with him. But you can help him gain a measure of confidence and a comfort level with the whole business by giving off the appropriate energy. Sorry if that sounded a little Cesar-esque, but this is one of those areas where he's got it right, in my estimation.

Dogs that live with you and spend time with you are naturally watching your responses to everything that is new to them. They learn how to respond to things that are foreign to them in the natural world, by seeing how you react in these environments. When you walk into a veterinary office, Fido is soaking up your nerves, or your comfort, whichever the case may be. You can help your dog grow to understand that visiting the vet is a normal, acceptable thing to do if you greet your vet and the vet techs with a friendly handshake and a pleasant chat. Fido will watch and learn.

Further, when your dog gets an immunization or is taken to the back by a tech, don't act all sad and tell them "bye-bye my sweet baby". Giving off a confident, all-is-well vibe

will help your dog to accept and happily go along with whatever is coming next. Your attitude is that important to his success. Give him a fighting chance.

Already into the vet vs. dog drama? Try this trick: Plan a once or twice weekly visit to your vet's office to simply walk inside, get a tech or even the vet to offer some affection and praise for their friendly and willing behavior, and then leave without much ado. Make it worth his while; give him a treat if he responds with a tail wag. It won't take long before Fido gets the idea that visiting the vet is a fun thing to do. This is actually an easier fix than you think, so go for it! Enjoy the bond.

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop

is hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping!