6 effective tips to get your puppy used to visits
Veterinary visits can be a stressful event for dogs; in fact, fear of visits is one of the most common phobias among our four-legged friends.
Many puppies pick up on the first signs that we are taking them to the vet and start showing symptoms like: tension, stillness, hyperactivity, trembling, or even aggression.
But how do they predict the visit, and why are they afraid?
The fear stems from associating the place and smells linked to the vet with past moments of stress and pain; added to this is the fear of unfamiliar touch and unknown noises.
For these reasons, when our puppy realizes we are heading to the vet, it will be more likely to associate the actions and smells with a negative experience rather than a pleasant one.
Another key factor in the perception of fear is our behavior: our gestures and attitudes affect how our puppy perceives things, which is why it’s important to stay calm, not make the trip traumatic, and create positive reinforcement for the visit experience.
If you’re wondering how to eliminate or reduce fear of the vet,
we have some tips that can help you create a positive experience
-
Get familiar with the vet, the clinic, and the smells.
A fundamental and very important aspect is getting the dog used to familiarizing itself with the clinic and the vet from a young age; take it to the clinic even just to say hello, so it associates the smells and noises with something familiar and positive. -
Routine and play
Our advice is to get them used to being handled and touched from puppyhood, through play and rewards, by simulating a kind of veterinary exam. This way, your loyal companion will associate the actions with positive experiences tied to play. -
Treats and rewards
Reward good behaviors and ignore bad ones. As simple as it may seem, it’s a good habit to train puppies during and after the visit by rewarding positive behaviors with treats. We at Life Pet Care recommend using natural Treats and Rewards that you can find Here -
Bring familiar blankets, items, and toys with you
Bring a familiar item that gives the dog a sense of security to the appointment. A good tip is to bring the blanket from home, and if possible, have the appointment take place right on it. -
Avoid busy times
If possible, avoid the busiest times to go to the vet, and check with them to find the best times. Also, take a walk before the appointment and wait outside the waiting room, especially if it’s small and crowded. -
Calm attitude
Avoid seeming tense when the dog shows fear or resistance to the vet. If you’re calm, you’ll pass that feeling on to your puppy, while acting differently will only make it more nervous. Stay calm to create a positive experience.
Putting these tips into practice helps prevent stress during visits and improve their perception of an event that they could even learn to enjoy. If you want to learn about the other main fears of dogs and how to deal with them, you can read the dedicated article on our Blog: www.lifepetcare.it/blog/le-maggiori-paure-dei-cani-e-come-affrontarle/