How to prepare your dog for the first visit

How to prepare your dog for the first visit

You are the most important person in the world for your dog, but the veterinarian should be in second place. This is the person with whom you will take care of the health and safety of your pet. Visiting an unfamiliar place filled with new scents can be stressful for you, so in this article we will advise you on how to prepare your dog for them.

What should I do before my visit?

If the veterinary office is farther away from your home, start by teaching your dog to travel by car. Take him on short trips to places he is associated with (such as a park). The more she enjoys traveling, the less stressful trips to the vet will be. Do not forget to properly protect your pet during the trip. Transport your dog in a secure carrier or use special straps for dogs.

What can be done to make the first visit enjoyable?

Before visiting an animal hospital, first of all, you need to find out whether the clinic has a veterinary license. The presence of a license indicates that the clinic meets the standards and can legally provide assistance to animals and vaccinate against rabies. Illegal veterinary hospitals, for example, cannot vaccinate against rabies. Be careful!

The first visit should not be of a therapeutic nature, but rather to acquaint the dog with an unfamiliar place. When planning your first visit, tell the registrar that you want to tame your dog at the clinic before the actual visit. Ask if you can stop by when the clinic is least busy so your pet isn’t overwhelmed by the plethora of new dogs and cats.

While in a veterinary clinic, keep the dog on a short leash so that it is closer to you. Small dogs can be held in your arms, but should still be kept on a leash in case they manage to jump out. You can put a nervous dog in a carrier to limit its interaction with other pets and give it a sense of security. The comfortable position of the animal in the carrier can be increased by covering it with a towel or blanket with the usual smell.

How to behave during the first examination?

Before the actual visit to the veterinarian, take the dog for a walk to allow the excess energy to go away. After checking in at reception, sit in a quiet area of the waiting room and talk to your dog in a soothing voice. Stay close to your four-legged friend because your presence is soothing. Try to position him so that other animals do not fall into his field of vision. During the checkup, you should also have a calming conversation with your dog to reduce his stress. If the veterinarian agrees, you can pet the dog and reward him with treats.

With these tips, your first and subsequent visits shouldn’t be a problem!