LaurenR writes:  

LUCAS, OH: Taking your dog to the vet isn’t always the easiest of tasks. It’s almost as if the dog knows that he’s going somewhere he doesn’t want to go before you even start to put him in the car. While the veterinarian’s office can be a scary place for a dog, you can help to make the experience easier by doing a few simple things. 

Bring a favorite toy or a blanket for them to cuddle up with. Having something familiar with them will help to ease their fear of visiting a strange place. They can curl up on the blanket in the car as well as when they are waiting to go into the exam room. The toy will be good for them to play with in the waiting room.

Exercise with your dog before you go to the vet. You can take him for a nice long walk or you can play catch and have him run back and forth. The more energy the dog burns before he goes into the office, the less likely he will be running and moving all over the place.

Have your dog go to the bathroom before going into the office. It is best to take him out to go to the bathroom before he even gets into the car so that you won’t end up having a mess to clean up. Also, some veterinarian’s offices have a place outside the building where you can take the dog as well. If your dog ends up going to the bathroom in the waiting room or exam room, it isn’t something that the staff isn’t used to, but it is still a nasty mess that’s going to have to get cleaned up, especially if your dog gets it on himself.

Keep your dog controlled by leash or by carrier. Chances are there will be other animals in the waiting room so you want to make sure that your dog doesn’t get injured. The other dogs could be temperamental, especially if they don’t feel well.
 

Give your dog plenty of praise, love and hugs while they are in the office as well as after they leave. You want to make sure that your dog knows that good behavior, such as behaving well through a scary experience at the vet office, is very much appreciated.

Don’t yell at your dog. The dog will already be frightened, so yelling at him will only agitate him and upset him even more. Speak to him in a calm, but firm tone if he does something that you don’t like. The rest of the time it is best to use a soft voice to talk to him and relax him.

The trip to the vet can not only be a scary and nervous experience for the dog, but it can be nerve-wracking for yourself as well. A little planning can help to make the trip much easier.
 

Photo Credits: Public Domain