Going to the vet can be an incredibly scary experience for any pet, especially if it’s their first time. The sounds and overwhelming number of smells that your dog is likely to encounter in a vet’s office can easily frighten even the most confident pup. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to help make your dog’s trip to the veterinarian’s office as easy on him/her, and on you, as possible.
Expose Your Pet to the Building
If you know the office that your pet will be visiting for his/her veterinary appointments, a great idea is to help acclimate your pet to this environment by doing a few test visits before your pup even sees a doctor. For example, you might drive by the vet’s office, walk into the waiting room, give your pup some treats, and then leave a minute later. This will help your pet begin to associate the office and all of its smells with a purely positive experience. If your pet is social with people, you may want to ask any vet techs or veterinary assistants who aren’t busy with other clients if they wouldn’t mind giving your dog a treat and a quick pet to help reinforce the positive experience.
Handle Your Dog as Much as Possible at Home
Even if you regularly pet and snuggle your pup, the fact is that your dog will be handled in ways that are very uncommon during their vet appointment. As such, you may want to slowly and gently get your pet used to such handling while he or she is in the comfort and security of their own home. To start, join your pet on the floor or another location where they feel comfortable and slowly, gently start to handle their paws. You can just pick their paws up off of the ground, feel their pads, and touch their nails. Immediately treat your pet if they react positively. If your pet seems at all uncomfortable, give him or her some space and do not proceed. You can then move on to lift your pets ears and lips as if you were performing an exam. If your pet is still comfortable, you can press on their belly and continue to treat for good behavior.
Remember: A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog
The day of your pet’s appointment, you should make sure to thoroughly exercise your pet before heading to the vet’s office. The more tired your dog is, the more likely it is that he or she will be relaxed while at the vet’s office.
At , we know that preparing your pet for unfamiliar experiences can be a stressful experience, and we are here to help you and your pet prepare for all of life’s adventures. If you would like to learn more about the services and training that we offer, contact our Austin dog walkers and trainers today by calling (512) 655-9557.
Bringing a new puppy home is sure to be one of the most exciting and most memorable days in your and your puppy’s relationship. However, there are some very important steps you need to take on this first day to get this relationship off on the right foot. Training begins the moment you bring the puppy into your home, so here are some important tips to keep in mind before and on this exciting first day!
Before Your Puppy Comes Home
Before you bring your new puppy home, you want to set her up for success as much as possible. As such, you should make sure that your floor is free from anything potentially dangerous or enticing for your new puppy. Puppies love to explore and they do so by putting anything (and everything) in their mouths, so make sure that food, small items, shoes, and wires are cleared from the floor so that they are not tempted to chew on anything potentially harmful.
Additionally, you will want to set up a safe place for your puppy. This will be where her food and drink are kept and where her bedding and/or crate is kept. Many first time dog owners make the mistake of giving their new pet free run of the house. However, it’s best if you introduce your pup to your home in increments, and you should start off by just introducing her to just her own room or area. Some people mistakenly believe that this is mean to their pet, when in reality, it helps a puppy feel secure in their scary new home by giving them a place that is theirs and where they feel comfortable.
When Your Puppy Comes Home
When you bring your new puppy home, you should take him or her directly to the area that you set up for him or her. This is where you should feed him or her, give them treats, and play with them. It will help your puppy to feel like they have a safe space in the house. After your puppy has started to identify his or her room or area, you can start introducing them to the rest of your home. However, when you do, you should introduce them one room at a time. This helps to reinforce healthy boundaries and keeps your pup from thinking that the home is theirs. When introducing a dog to a new room in the home, don’t just let the dog run in at his or her own discretion. You should enter the room first and then invite him or her to come in by calling them to you. This let’s them know that you are in charge and that they are only allowed to explore places that they have permission to enter.
Get Training Help from Walk! ATX
Training a puppy is hard work, but fortunately, help is available. The experienced Austin dog walkers and dog trainers at Walk! ATX can help you make your pup’s transition to its new home a smooth one. Call us today at (512) 655-9557 to learn more about the services we offer and what we can do to help you with your new addition.