Take It To The Vet
Imagine that you were forced into a car, unexpectedly taken to your doctor’s office without you knowing why. You were met at the door, taken by the arm and led to a room where you were restrained in a chair. And you were still not told why you were there or what was about to happen. How hard would you fight the restraint? How loud would you scream, trying to be heard, demanding you have some choice in what was happening?
And yet, we expect our dogs to calmly accept this very experience every time we visit the vet’s office and, especially, when visiting a new vet or specialist. No, we can’t explain the reason for the visit to our dog but, with a few simple skills, we can help our dogs anticipate what will happen through a routine vet visit. Over time, your dog will even be able to offer behaviors that will make vet exams quick, easy and calm.
Stationing: This is a common and easy skill, often used with zoo animals, that asks the dog to maintain a specific posture for a period of time. Teach your dog to stand and watch his cheese, or Watch the Bucket—a version of Chirag Patel’s Bucket Game—and he’ll be able to be still while your vet does a hands-on exam and listens to his lungs and heart.
Chin Rest: The chin rest is where your dog places his chin in your open, upturned palm and keeps it there until released. This can be the perfect solution for exams of eyes, ears and teeth.
Chin Up with a Neck Pinch: Teach your dog to allow you to raise his chin up and pinch his neck and he’ll be as prepared as possible for a jugular blood draw.
Settle: This means lie on your side and put your head down. This can be helpful for physical therapy, specific lower limb exams and even x-rays!
Touch: This simple nose touch to an outstretched palm can be used in between exam pieces and to reset your dog if she starts to get too nervous or anxious. It’s a great reset tool if this game is played often, in many contexts and not just at Vet visits.
A Certified Professional Dog Trainer can help you teach any or all of these skills. One of my proudest moments with Taylor was hearing that she did a perfect chin rest for her ophthalmologist, without me present. Apparently, she was the talk of the office as every Vet Tech wanted to see her offer her chin for her exam. Most importantly, she stayed calm because she knew what to expect.