Boost Your Dog’s Emotional Bank Account for Fear Free Vet Visits

Preparing your dog for fear free vet visits can make your dog feel like a superhero. photo: AdobeStock

When vet visits are stressful for our pets, it may affect our decision to make an appointment. One study found just thinking about going to the vet caused enough stress for some people that it affected their willingness to take a pet in for care. As a result, our pets may not get the annual screenings they need to keep them happy and healthy, impacting their overall health and wellness. And even if you do make an appointment, when patients are stressed, they are more challenging to manage and their treatments are difficult to perform.

Veterinarians want to see their patients regularly, screen for diseases, treat them when they're sick, address their behavioral needs, and watch them go through all the stages of life, from their puppyhood to their golden years. Fortunately, today’s veterinary professionals are learning how to provide more well-rounded care to the pets we love minus the anxiety. 

 But what can you do at home to help ensure fear free vet visits?

 First, think about your pet’s relationship with their vet as an emotional bank account. Any negative experience is a withdrawal, and any positive experience is a deposit. If your dog's emotional bank account is in the red, you’ll need to boost it back up. Here are some great ways to make some deposits.

Stop by the vet hospital when your dog isn't sick. 

Have you ever noticed that your dog seems to know every time you're going to go to the vet? Dogs are intelligent and have keen eyes. They can recognize patterns of behaviors and learn quickly when that pattern of behavior conveys specific information - like going to the vet. 

The easiest way to counter condition them is to go to the vet’s parking lot on a day that isn't too busy, park, give your dogs some treats, and promptly go home. Now instead of anticipating a negative experience on arrival at the vet’s office, you can start to teach them that going to the vet equals treats. Take your time and gradually build your way up to entering the building once the lifting of COVID restrictions enable you to do so.  

Train your dog to love his mat and use it at the vet’s. 

I can't emphasize this enough: all good things should happen on the mat. Once you’ve trained your dog to love his mat at home through treats and positive reinforcement, bring it to the vet’s with you. If your dog is afraid of getting on the scale, you can place the mat on the scale and provide a comforting place to sit. During appointments, the mat can also signal reinforcement and can help calm your dog during an exam. 

Bring them hungry, and bring the best treats. 

Bring only the very tastiest treats and save those special treats for vet visits only. Let your dog get excited because,"We're going to the place where I get sausage and chopped cheese!" 

Bring your dog to visit the staff. 

Many vet practices offer happy visits. These are opportunities for pets to come to the hospital during a specific time of day, be paraded around the office, get treats from multiple staff members and doctors, or have toys to play with. This is one of my favorite ways to make a happy deposit in your dog’s emotional bank account. It also helps your dog get to know other staff members and get comfortable with them, as well as your vet. 

Train your dog to love handling.

Just because your dog accepts handling doesn't mean they love it. Invest in structured training sessions to help your dog learn that when they are touched, they earn reinforcement. Practice with other people and the vet staff, not just your family members.

With a little thought and practice, you’ll have your dog’s emotional bank account fattened up before you know it. The payoff will be fear free vet visits for both of you. 

Visit the Fear Free Happy Homes website for advice, videos, and more information on how you can help your dog with vet visitshttps://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/