My dog hates vet visits

My dog will do anything to avoid going to the vet – including trying to bite the staff! How can I change his experience and get him to relax at the vet?

Playing hide and seek, looking around every wall, door, tree and corner, and searching under and around the furniture. This is not child's-play; it’s a reality for many dog owners at the mere mention of the word ‘vet’. A dog’s fearful response to vet visits is not uncommon – many pet parents experience the bum-on-floor resistance, dragging an unwilling pooch along by their harness, and then wrestling tooth and nail to get them into the car, only to repeat the process in reverse in the veterinary clinic parking area.

This article sheds some light on the reasons why we see this fear response in our pets. We also provide some guidance on how you can help your pet to have a positive experience, reducing fear and anxiety for both human and furry best friend when visiting the veterinary practice.

Why do some dogs fear the vet?

Just like some humans may fear visiting the doctor or the dentist, a dog’s visit to the vet can mean a barrage of uncomfortable and sometimes painful experiences for a them too. From the poking and prodding associated with a full physical examination, to interventions like injections, blood collection, and rectal examinations, many dogs have understandably negative associations with coming to the veterinary clinic.

Dogs communicate through body language and posture, and they are sensitive to your emotional states. Sensing or experiencing your overt stress, tension or even rough handling in the past – whether before, during or after a vet visit – can reinforce your dog’s negative perception of the veterinary practice: If my person is nervous and frightened, I should be too! The next time you take them to the vet, they may very well react in fear by resisting the leash, behaving reactively to the veterinary staff, and even lashing out and biting.

What are ‘happy visits’?

In order to reduce the number of negative associations a dog has with the vet, as well as provide the opportunity for positive interaction with the veterinary team, we recommend doing ‘happy visits’ with your pet. These visits are done when your dog is not ill and would not normally need to visit the vet for medical reasons.

In a happy visit, you bring your dog to the clinic and allow them to explore the waiting room while on a leash. Giving your dog treats while they explore helps to establish a positive experience with the practice. The veterinary staff members can then take the opportunity to pet your dog, give them treats, and offer words of encouragement. This positive reinforcement helps your dog to associate a visit at the vet with a positive experience.

Even if your dog finds it too scary to come into the practice at first, let them explore the parking area while receiving treats and praise. They can progress over time from the parking area to the waiting and reception areas, to inside a consult room, and even explore hospital treatment areas if possible.

If you have a hard time getting your dog into the car, use the same positive reinforcement methods as happy visits to train your dog to enjoy car rides. Give your dog treats and praise or let them play with their favourite toy around the car. When they are comfortable, treat them inside the car (with the engine off). Progress to switching on the ignition, then take them to places they love to go (e.g. the park, a doggy friend’s house, on general errands) and reward them with tasty treats along the way.

By establishing these positive experiences, your pet is less likely to have purely negative associations with a visit to the vet, and will likely be much more cooperative when a trip to the local vet clinic is needed.

What about muzzles?

Unfortunately, despite positive reinforcement and happy visits, some dogs will not tolerate being examined closely. Physical examinations are an invasion of their personal space and they feel vulnerable and often fearful during these experiences. Some dogs may also feel protective of their owners. In these cases, dogs can become defensively aggressive, posing a risk to the veterinary team as well as to you as the owner.

For these situations, we have tools that help keep everyone safe – muzzles. It’s important to understand that muzzles are a safety measure, not a punishment. Much like putting a seatbelt on a toddler, some dogs find muzzles extremely irritating and annoying, but they ensure safety for all involved. Vet practices typically carry a variety of muzzle types and sizes, and vet staff may try on different options to ensure the most comfortable fit for your dog. Remember that a muzzle is also temporary – it will be removed as soon as it is no longer needed.

Again, positive reinforcement training helps: if your pet has a history of reactivity or aggression and needs to be muzzled at the vet, muzzle training at home will be very helpful. Offer treats and encouragement when the muzzle is worn for a minute or two before taking it off again. Muzzle training a few times a day helps your dog get used to it in a neutral, non-stressful environment.

What is a ‘chill protocol’?

In more advanced cases of defensive aggression, it may be necessary to use medications to reduce anxiety in your dog. These medications are given the night before and a few hours prior to the veterinary visit to decrease anxiety and provide calming support both before and during the consultation. The effects of these medications vary from one dog to another and can range from moderate sedation and sleepiness to a slight reduction in aggressive temperament.

However, the goal of a chill protocol is not to sedate a dog, but to help reduce fear and panic. It should make it easier for you to bring your dog into the clinic and enable the vet staff to handle and examine them. Since they often improve a dog’s temperament and reduce anxiety-related behaviours, chill protocols can also help to reinforce positive experiences at the veterinary clinic.

It is important that you ensure you give the medication as prescribed by the veterinarian, as these are highly scheduled substances that can be dangerous if given in incorrect dosages.

A combination of treatments works best

Much like in a car, many safety measures working together (i.e. seat belts, airbags, ABS) produce the most reliable results.

For very nervous and anxious dogs it may be necessary to combine interventions:

Make sure your dog has a happy visit to the vet every couple of weeks so that they are less tense when coming in for their appointment.
Phone ahead to make the veterinary team aware your dog is anxious. This will give them sufficient time to decide whether to dispense a chill protocol or not.
Inform the receptionist and/or veterinarian on your arrival if you have a very nervous dog that may nip if anxious, so that a suitable muzzle can be fitted as and when needed.

How can I prepare for a veterinary appointment?

Even with all the above in place, bringing an anxious pet to the vet can still be a little daunting. To help prepare for your visit, here are a few quick tips:

Keep your usual routine: try not to betray any anxiety or trepidation you may be feeling. Remember, dogs are masters of body language and enjoy a regular routine. Any deviations will put your pet on edge and let them know something’s up!
If your pet is food-motivated, withholding the meal just before the visit will make them more likely to be enticed by treats in the consultation room.
Packing your dog’s favourite snack and bringing it with you to the consultation will also help to provide positive reinforcement and make for a happy vet visit.

In conclusion, often a combination of methods is required to help reduce your pet’s anxiety when they visit the vet. Start out with happy visits and positive reinforcements, and use muzzling if necessary to keep everyone safe. If those don’t work, the veterinarian will be able to advise you on chill protocol medications that can help you and your dog have a pleasant, stress-free vet visit. Hopefully no more hide and seek!