A Trip to the Veterinarian

Have difficulties in bringing your pet to the veterinarian?

Basic Puppy Training

• Crate Training
• Enroll in a basic puppy class or get a good book/video
• Sit and Stay
• Down
• Familiarization of your dog with all body parts being touched
• Socialization

Crate Training

• Dogs like a den
• Creating a safe place
• It’s not punitive (It’s their space)
• Treats as a reward
• Attributes of a crate trained dog
  • Potty training
  • Riding in cars
  • Hospitalization

Home Kennel

In Clinic

Familiarization of your dog with all body parts being touched

The Car Ride

• Safe and Secure
  • Barrier
  • Harness
  • Car Seat
  • Crate

Barrier and Harness

Conditioning your dog to the car – Step One

• Treats
  • Incremental steps of positive reinforcement gradually working the dog inside the car.

Conditioning your dog to the car – Step Two

Conditioning your dog to the car – Step Three: short drive to fun

Conditioning your dog to the car – Step Four

Trial run to the veterinarian office for treats and petting.

Car Sickness

• Young vestibular system, many dogs outgrow it.
• Stress
• Heat

Now What?

• Forward facing – ability to see out of front of car to assist in orientation. Open the window
• Fear is leading cause; train and remain calm
• Medication

Arrival at the Veterinarian Office

• Check your stress at the door, before you leave.
• Check in at the front desk
• Always on leash

Getting on the Scale

Practice this at home folks!

Physical Exam

• On the exam table or on the floor
• Lots of treats
• Stand in front of dog while allowing technician and veterinarian to hold or handle your dog
• Don’t corner your dog – keeping the dog out of the corners
• Remain calm

Getting on the table. Get out of the corner.

When your dog is jumping and going crazy, just freeze, stop all movement until dog learns nothing happens until they calm.

Then, move slowly.

Lower your voice

Teaching your dog to settle – Praise