Most dogs begin showing anxiety before actually entering the clinic. Most of these behaviors can be modified with a well-planned desensitization program.ĭepending on the level of the dog’s anxiety, the program can be started at various points. In addition, the dog may receive suboptimal medical care due to his or her inability to be examined and handled safely. This situation places the animal, the owner, and the staff at risk for harm, particularly if the dog is showing aggression. Over time, these behaviors typically worsen as the dog has repeatedly more unpleasant experiences. Dogs with these reactions are more difficult to handle, and, subsequently, are often subjected to heavy restraint techniques to allow the staff to accomplish the required procedures. These dogs may show aggression, escape attempts, or severe fear reactions. Many dogs experience considerable anxiety and fear while at the veterinary clinic. Texas A&M University Veterinary Teaching Hospital In that case, follow the instructions below.ĭesensitization/Counterconditioning for Veterinary Visits Sometimes, you simply don’t have the opportunity to adequately prepare (as outlined above) for your pup’s first visit. See Preventing Behavior Problems page for specific exercises to practice before going to the veterinarian for an examination or vaccinations. Make those first experiences positive and upbeat. ask the staff if you can come by a couple of times before the appointment and just let staff members pet and give treats to your pup. Be willing to pay for extra time, if necessary. Tell the staff that you want your puppy to have a good experience, and ask if there is time on the schedule for a few extra minutes that may be needed so that the puppy isn’t stressed by having people moving too quickly. Encourage Participation of Clinic StaffĬall your veterinarian and ask for an appointment at the quietest time of day. There are three things you can do to help prepare for your pup’s first visit to the veterinarian.
#Puppy vet visits schedule how to
This section addresses how to prepare for your puppy’s first veterinary visit, which unfortunately, must take place during one of the puppy’s most sensitive developmental stages. Our Handling and Grooming page provides specific instructions for teaching your puppy these valuable lessons.
Your puppy will be happier, and so will your veterinarian and his/her staff! It is very important, then, to take some basic steps to help your puppy avoid such negative, lasting impressions. Many puppies learn to be afraid of the veterinary office and staff during this time, and some puppies actually will learn to growl and/or bite during subsequent visits. Unfortunately, this is the exact same time period during which puppies receive their first examination and vaccinations from your veterinarian. Now commonly referred to as a critical socialization or developmental stage, this is a rare window of opportunity for us to teach puppies to become confident, psychologically healthy dogs. This developmental stage used to be called a “fear period” by many behaviorists because this is the period when many animals develop lifelong fears. This is the time when puppies learn (whether we teach them or not!) which things in life are good and which are not. We can accomplish this by “desensitizing” our puppies to many of the typical procedures they will encounter through life.īetween the ages of seven and sixteen weeks of age, your puppy goes through an important developmental stage. Your pup, some yummy treats, and some time.Īsk any veterinarian or groomer what they dislike most about their profession, and they are likely to say, “Handling uncooperative or aggressive dogs!” In many cases, the aggression that veterinarians and groomers deal with could be avoided if we taught our dogs, from a very early age, to put up with the discomfort that often accompanies visits to the doctor and the groomer. To prepare your puppy to be handled, restrained, groomed, and vaccinated throughout its life.
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