Dog Behavior

For many of our pets (and us!), going to the veterinarian is a stressful event. The hospital can be a scary place. It has unusual smells and noises and there may be unfriendly dogs or cats in the waiting area. Things that happen there can be frightening for pets, such as being handled and manipulated by unfamiliar people, having various instruments inserted in body openings, and being given injections. If we do nothing, and simply let our pets have unpleasant experiences, chances are that our pets will become frightened and possibly even aggressive when they go to the veterinary hospital

But it doesn’t have to be that way. By working with your veterinary staff you can make visits pleasant and even down right fun. This is an important topic for us, because we want our dogs’ veterinary visits to be something they enjoy.

It is much easier to acclimate your pet to the veterinary hospital if the pleasant visits start when your pet is young. This allows you to take advantage of the sensitive period most mammals and birds have during their first few months of life for accepting new people, places and things. Sensitive periods are times when it is easiest for an animal to learn about his social relationships or his physical environment.

Even if you can’t start when your pet is young (say you’ve adopted an adult from a shelter), you can still help your pet learn to like veterinary visits, but it may take more time and effort to help her change. She may have already have had bad experiences that have to be overcome.

Talk to your veterinary staff about “drop in” visits that don’t involve a real examination or treatment.
Just bring your pet into the hospital to visit with the staff and to become familiar with the place. Bring along your pet’s favorite treat or toy that you can give to your pet before and during the visit. Start with very short (five minutes or less) and simple visits, just into the waiting area to sit and receive treats, pleasant words and a pet from other clients or veterinary staff.

Gradually make the visits more like a real examination with weighing on the scale, a trip into the exam room and even gentle handling by the staff. Watch your pet’s reaction. If she becomes fearful or agitated, stop and let her calm down before you proceed. Don’t force her to experience the hospital. It can make the experience worse.

Most veterinary hospitals will be glad to work with you to help your pet be less fearful and more relaxed. It makes their jobs easier and more rewarding when their patients are calm, relaxed and friendly. Be sure to arrange these visits ahead of time so that you and your pet can visit at times when things aren’t so busy and your pet can have the best experience.

Some veterinary hospitals are now offering puppy classes, kitten classes or puppy or kitten parties at the hospital that help to acclimate young dogs and cats to the hospital. These can be very efficient ways to acclimate your pet as well as socialize her to other animals and people. You can also learn valuable information about how to better care for your pet. Investing the extra time it takes to help your pet enjoy her veterinary visits will be worth it in the long run. Your pet can receive better medical care, and you, your pet, and your veterinary staff will be less stressed
From the August 2004 of Pet Behavior One Piece at a Time E-Newsletter by Animal Behavior Associates, Inc.

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