Not many people really think about all the future vet visits
for their new puppy when they are training them. Most of the time they just bring their dogs
to the vet and don’t really think about how to make the situation easier for
both parties involved.
It can be very strange for your dog to have a stranger
feeling his belly, looking into his mouth and ears or touching his feet. These
are not things they are used to having done to them at home, but it should be.
If your pet is relaxed the veterinarian can do a better exam and better
evaluate your pet’s health.
Here are some simple things you can do at home to get your
dog used to the vet.
Play with your dog’s feet
Unless you plan on running your dog on concrete and he has a
perfect gait, chances are he is going to need his nails trimmed every 6-8
weeks. This can be very stressful for
dogs that aren’t used to it. Massaging your puppy’s feet can help him get used
to people touching them. This way it is not always associated with trimming the
nails. Also if your dog ever injures a nail or gets a foreign object in his
foot (This happens frequently in veterinary medicine) then it will be easier to
examine the foot and properly treat it.
Open your puppy’s mouth
Pinching on either side of the upper jaw and pulling the
lower jaw down can open the mouth. This is important to assess the condition of
your dog’s teeth. A lot of the time tooth problems go unnoticed until the pet
is so painful it cannot eat or close it’s mouth properly. Checking the teeth
periodically can help you identify any broken or strange looking teeth in
between vet visits. This will also
prepare your dog for teeth brushing.
Rub and massage his belly
Most dogs love their belly rubbed! However it can be strange
for the vet to palpate it. Instead of just rubbing try to lightly massage the
belly with your dog in a standing position. This can help your dog get used to
the situation and be less tense in the vet ‘s office. It can be hard for the
veterinarian to fully palpate the organs in the abdominal cavity if your dog is
very tense.
Rub his ears
Dogs can be prone to ear infections, especially floppy eared
dogs. If your dog is not used to his ears being touched examining, cleaning or
applying medication can be a real chore! Rub his ears and look in them. If you
notice a bad smell or a lot of debris you can catch an ear infection early before
your dog’s ears are very painful or he causes secondary wounds from scratching.
Bring your dog to visit the vet without an exam
This can help make good associations with he vet’s office.
You can bring him in to weight him and get treats and pets from the staff and
then leave. Of if your vet has a daycare bring him there to play every so
often. You can also bring them with your other pets as ‘moral support’. Small
little trips like this can help your dog understand not every trip to the vet
is going to end up in pokes!
It is important to help your dog become familiar with his
world so he can be happy and confident.
Preparing him for his future clinic visits can not only put him at ease
but you too.
