With our dog, because he is a Chihuahua, we usually end up picking his shivering, frightened form up off the floor and taking him inside the vet’s office. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy for the heavier German Shepherd or Labrador. Read the following. It just might make you and your dog’s life easier:

3. Teach your pet to not fear travel or the animal hospital. Acting nervous yourself when you are about to go to the vet is the worst thing you can do. Teach your dog that going somewhere is a good thing. Take your dog with you to other places so that the car is a routine part of daily life. Create an association between travel and the grounds of the vet hospital using treats and praise. Every time your dog is with you, drive to the animal hospital and park there, doling out treats.

2. Bring your pet to the vet on an empty stomach. This suggestion is twofold.  Your pet will be less likely to experience nausea and motion sickness on an empty stomach during travel and he/she will be hungry when we offer our treat/bribes!

1. BRING A STOOL SAMPLE from home.  Your pet makes a stool sample every day and if you can bring a fresh sample along with you to see us, it will save your pet the dreaded “fecal loop”.  The fecal loop is the instrument we have to use to obtain a sample directly from your pet’s colon. Animals understandably resent this intrusion and it is sometimes uncomfortable for them.  Fecal exams are a necessary and important part of our diagnostic panel, so make your pet’s visit easier by bringing a sample along! We are all here because we love animals and we love for them to love us too!

We might also add that making your pup feel protected is important. Oddly, some Vets are not thrilled having the owner/master in the examining room with their dog. This is especially true if the hospital is also a boarding facility (mine is). It isn’t that they are doing something bad behind closed doors, but often times seeing and hearing the pups howling and yelping is uncomfortable for pet parents.

However, I always insist on being there. Just the sound of a familiar voice can be the tranquilizer my dog needs to remain calm.

To read more regarding vet visits and making them more pleasant, please go to I Heart Dogs. All dogs are different but there isn’t one who does not want to feel secure when going to their dog-doctor.