Extreme vet fear

[momPaws]

Anyone have any ideas on how to deprogram a dog who is extremely feaful at the vet's?

I am considering getting her mcdonald's hamburger BEFORE the visit and taking it with us - usually I get her one after.

All suggestions would be appreciated

[davet]

the possibilty of some dogs being treated in the car helps but not for a prolonged visit..Some really panicy dogs require housecalls but the hamburger sounds like a good idea...

[Tambrey]

When our great dane was having trouble walking...we figure now he had a stroke and the second one he had was his last...but we never had time to determine it for sure...

anyways...since he was big...165 pounds, and had troubles, we borrowed my mom's station wagon and put half of the middle seat down for him to lay back there...

the vet did crawl in with him...muzzled as he was a new vet we were reffered to from our own...and actually laid in there, side by side with him, cradling his head on his sholder, holding him and talking to him to get Scooby used to him being there to help him...it worked...after the second visit to this vet...Scooby looked forward to the car ride and was anxious to see him once we got there...

[Maggiesmom]

Maybe take your dog to the vet a few times and not have any procedures done, just let the vet staff pay positive attention to the dog, give treats, etc. That way your dog may not have only negative experiences there. When one of my dogs has to go, I always take the other who is not having anything done to get them used to going.

Does your dog travel much to other places in the car? If not, it may make the problem worse if he/she is notused to traveling much and only does so to go to the vet.

[momPaws]

Good ideas davet and mm....maybe I could take her in there and just feed her the mcDonald's hamburger that is her treat after...just on a trial run to make the place more positive to her. Try to get her to associate the place with something good. thanks!

[Traci]

Perhaps find out the actual cause to why she may be fearful. How does she act...both in the car, and at the vet's? Does she react in the clinic's lobby, the exam room, or to a particular person?

One tip would be to make your appointment at the end of the day, when there is likely to be fewer pets in the lobby, and more quiet in the clinic. If you have a favorite vet and technician, or rather Honey feels less fearful around a particular staff member, ask for them specifically prior to the exam.

[davet]

it interesting, i guess lots of vets do do the car treatment...But you do have to choose your patients carefully...in a car a dog can be mighty protective but you kinda have to ascertain that before you get in and start a dog conversation....one the dog accepts you though, then it is all up hillc