Not all dogs like visiting a vet. Many become anxious because of the strange smells, injections, and the unfamiliar staff present at the veterinary clinic. Once the dogs become agitated, it gets tough for the owners to deal with them as well. 

However, there are some strategies you can adopt, which will cure the anxiety in your dogs during vet visits. Here are those,

1) Start The Training Early

Starting the training early helps in reducing anxiety in the dogs. Go visit the vet, even if it’s just to give a quick hello to the staff. Expose them to the clinic’s surroundings and let them get used to it. This will help them build positive associations with the clinic. 

2) Practise at Home

Teach your dogs basic commands like sit, come, stay, etc. at home. Then, practise these commands at various locations to make them distract at will. This method tremendously helps the owners calm their pets when they are in the vet's office.  

3) Desensitise to Touch

Handle your dogs at home regularly to desensitise them to being touched. Gently touch their paws, ears, mouth, etc and reward them each time they stay calm. This will help reduce dog anxiety whenever you take them to the vet. 

4) Use Calming Aids

Consider using calming tablets, which can help keep your dogs calm during the visit. However, take the advice from the vet before you feed them the supplements, as they will tell you about the dosage you need to administer.

5) Visit the Vet Outside Appointment Date

Take your dogs to the vet’s office outside of the appointment date to let them explore the surroundings. Allow them to roam in the exam room and interact with the staff. Reward them with some delicious treats if they keep quiet and follow your commands. 

6) Make Yourself Calm Too

In general, dogs' emotions are in sync with their owners. Hence, it is important that you, as an owner, be calm and composed during the whole vet visit. Speak to your dog in a soothing manner, keep a relaxed posture, and avoid being harsh to the dog. 

7) Reward Your Dogs

During the vet visit, reward your dogs each time they stay calm and cooperative. Use treats and praise, and give them a nice pet when you are in the pet clinic. This will help your dogs link vet visits with positive experiences. 

In Short,

Visiting the vet doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for you or your dog. These seven tips can help your dogs stay calm during your next vet visit. Remember to be patient and calm yourself so that you can better manage your dogs. With time and consistency, your pups will associate vet visits with positive experiences and feel more comfortable during their next appointment with the vet.