"I don't wanna go"
Stress is unpleasant, to say the least, for both you and your pets. Unfortunately, a visit to the veterinarian is sometimes on the top of the stress list for some of our patients!
Below are some ways to help you and your pets enjoy the ride and the visit.
Get your cat (puppy, kitten) used to the carrier
by leaving it out at home in a quiet spot where it can be sniffed and explored. Some pets see their carrier as a safe haven if it is
comfortably padded with favorite soft bedding and perhaps a favorite toy. Making the carrier association pleasant
goes a long way to helping them see the carrier as a safe spot, not a place of punishment.
Reward entering the
carrier by giving verbal praise, petting, or a small treat.
Once comfortable with the carrier, place your pet in the car and take a very short drive, just around the block.
After a few minutes, take her
back to the house and Praise her for her calm behavior. Once she is taking
short trips in stride, extend the trips and perhaps even come in to the clinic...... just bring her in, then leave and head directly home
again. We can even weigh her while she's here, just to get used to us handling her. All of this will help make new and worrisome events into old and
somewhat boring ones. (It would be a good idea to call and ask if we are at a quiet time, Because if there are a couple big, happy dogs in the waiting room, well, you get the idea!)
For your appointment, arrive at the hospital a bit
early so that your pet has a chance to settle in and get used to
new smells. If you have been here before, and know the way, this also
helps to keep the visit calm and relaxed. Talk to her in soothing tones
during the wait so she knows you are still there with her.
Relax! Remember, our pets can
sense our discomforts and worries, and they will pick up on
thothose vibes….
Cats & dogs pick up on people’s emotions, so if you are
worried about the visit, chances are she/he will sense your mood.
Always bring your cat in a carrier (a size that will be comfortable, where your pet is able to stand and turn around in, as well as rest), and your dog either on a leash or kept in your arms. This is for his/her safety as well as the other pets and clients in the clinic.
If you have forgotten a leash, our receptionist or assistant would be happy to
provide one.
Dogs will sometimes bark when nervous, fearful, excited or aggressive. Excessive barking can be a way of seeking
attention.
Barking can be an indicator of
excitement, such as when a dog walks into the clinic already excited, perhaps from the
car ride or a prior association with the clinic.
If you live close by, consider walking to the clinic with your dog!
The exercise and quality time with each other will be enjoyed by the both of
you!
If your pet is usually excited when you drive to the
clinic, arrive a few minutes early and take a walk before coming in. Giving your dog a chance to walk off some
energy, and breaking up his association between the card ride and the
office
visit goes a long way toward calming them down.
Sometimes barking is nothing more than a way to pass the
time.
A busy dog doesn't usually bark. Bring a toy or a
time-consuming treat for your dog to play with (Call ahead to make sure
that your pet does not need to have an empty stomach prior to lab work, surgery, treatment, etc). If your dog displays guarding
tendencies, you should skip this, as it may have a negative affect.
Pay attention to your dog, as well as what is going on around you. While
you do
not want to inadvertently reward the attention-seeking barking , you can
prevent it by paying attention to your dog. Try petting, brushing,
playing, talking and other activities to keep
your pet's attention on you.
Watch what is going on around you. Is a dog in the room
staring at your dog, encouraging him to bark? Redirect your dog's attention. A tremendous help would be to practice "down-stay" at home on a regular basis.
Visits that consist of a visit to the clinic, a few treats, stepping up on our scale, some
petting and praise, and then leaving, can help diminish
or eliminate the negative association your dog has with visiting the clinic. We do this on a regular basis and will be happy to
help.
Fear and aggression can be closely
related: the base of the aggressive behavior in many dogs is
fear. When some dogs become fearful, they become very vocal, either because
the best defense is a good offense, or just because they don't know how else to rid themselves of the nervous energy. If your dog's barking is a symptom of
fear or aggression toward other people or dogs, please seek help. It's probably not going
to get better without behavior modification. Discuss the problem
with your vet to find a behavior consultant. Many times we can help with tips and trials.
Some preparation and training will go a long way toward making vet visits a pleasure!
