It's no secret that dogs like to visit the vet about as much as we like to visit the dentist. For most dogs, it causes stress that lasts for several hours. Thanks to their instincts, they sense it before you even leave for the vet's clinic. How can you handle it calmly and without unnecessarily stressing the dog?
Most dogs do not like veterinarians, just like any other stranger who touches them besides their beloved master. It's not pleasant to them, it stresses them, and in some dogs it even creates a strong sense of fear. Yet you can still prepare your beloved pet for a visit to the vet so that it not only manages it calmly and without whimpering, but it can even look forward to it. How can you do this?
Start by selecting the right vet and respect your dog's "opinion". I will now contradict myself a bit. There are also dogs that truly love their veterinarians. Do you know why? Their veterinarian is a good person who can connect with them and who "speaks their language".
Dogs can recognize good people, just like other animals. In most cases, the right vet can quickly get your dog on their side. To them, animals are not just an attractive sum on the check they give you. If your dog is still scared after repeated visits, I would recommend visiting another vet.
Of course, there are also dogs, just like some people, who are extremely afraid and hypersensitive to their environment. In this case, herbal therapy can help reduce stress. You can add a few calming droplets to your dog's water or food the day before you visit the veterinarian. You should also take a supply of your dog's favorite treats so you can properly reward him.
Despite apathy and nervousness, which can control a dog, it is good to keep them occupied. Even if he doesn't want to take a treat or play with a toy, it is good to practice with him in the waiting room or outside the waiting room. You can give him simple commands. He doesn't have to fully perform them, but for a moment it will force him to stop thinking about the suffering he is experiencing :)
"Habit is an iron shirt." This also applies in this case. If you visit the vet regularly, there is a greater chance of him getting used to it gradually, and the amount of stress and fear he experiences may gradually decrease; it may rather be fear of the unknown than the vet itself. The dog will learn that not every visit to the vet means he will get a shot, and that there's really nothing to worry about.
If your dog starts whimpering even before you leave your home or doesn't want to get in the car, you must regularly train him for these situations. For example, you can occasionally take a walk around the veterinarian clinic, or just go for a ride in your car to some other place. It is important that you are calm, too, because if you're not, your dog will know that something is up :).
And how does your dog handle visits to the vet? Does he handle it calmly, or is he sensitive like our dogs? Do you have any proven tricks that help calm your dog down?
Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you...
In this cycle, we will get to know interesting dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what they have already achieved during our life together. We should find Hachiko in the dictionary next to the phrase...
Markéta is my long-time friend. We got to know each other through a shelter, from which I took my first dog and where I then started to help out. Under this association, Markéta runs a depository for cats in Prague, where I like to go when I have a bit...
Have you ever wondered how much movement is healthy for your dog and when it can be harmful? Or that not every movement is beneficial? Most dog owners never think about this. It’s said that the more you move, the better. But this is not always true.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I occasionally help out my friend Markéta, who runs a cat shelter. I had the opportunity to take part in several humane trappings for stray cats and would like to share the experience with you today.
Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
In this cycle, we shall take a look at how cats and dogs are getting along in the world. Where people nurture and spoil them, or on the contrary they suffer and their situation is critical. Today I would like to introduce you to the cats of Greece,...
The approach of warm sunny days will surely entice many people to go for long walks. Many of us take our four-legged companions on vacation. It’s during these times that we should be careful about sunstroke, both for us and our dogs. How can we prevent...
Just like with people, being overweight can have a negative impact on a dog’s health. Preparing the right diet and amount of food to give them can sometimes be, however, like pure alchemy, and so your dog can start to become obese. If this is the case...
There seems to be more and more ticks year after year. Fortunately, the ways to protect our furry friends, whether dogs or cats, against these parasites are growing. Everyone can choose what product fits best for them and their four-legged companions.
Until recently skinny guinea pigs were relatively rare in our country. Word about them is quickly spreading, however, and they have become a sudden hit among breeders. What’s it like having these guinea pigs and what do they like to eat?
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the body - cleaning the blood. Due to their small intake of water, cats are more burdened than other animals and therefore suffer quite often from kidney problems the older they get.
