Preparing to visit the vet or groomer
We can prepare our dogs for visits to the vet and groomer in advance and this will make the whole experience easier for them and us.
Introduce your dog to the environment whether it’s a vet practice or groomer.
Familiarise yourself and your dog to the building and the parking area.
You can contact the vet practice or groomer and ask if there is a quiet time when you can visit with your dog. They should be very happy to facilitate this as it makes the experience much easier for everyone in the long term.
Build a positive association with the place by visiting for just a few minutes and feeding some of your dog’s favourite treats while you’re there.
Using a muzzle
If a dog is unwell, in pain or scared, they are more likely to react aggressively to handling. It’s a good idea to train your dog to be happy wearing a muzzle, so that if this is needed it will be less worrying for them.
Using a dog crate
There are many occasions when a dog may need to be in a crate such as for travel, or in the vet clinic.
Often dogs will need to spend time in a crate whilst they are waiting for investigations or treatment, and in the recovery phase.
If your dog is used to being in a crate, this will make the situation less stressful for them.
Get used to being on a table
You can practice sitting your dog on a table and practising handling on the table. This is probably easier if you have a puppy or small dog.
Some ideas for preparing to visit the vet or groomer
You will feel much calmer if you are ready in advance.
Think of all the things you might need and get them ready.
Here are some ideas:
· Favourite treats (if they can eat)
· Favourite toy
· Pooh Bags
· Money/Credit Card
· Mobile phone/Diary
· Vaccination Record Card
· Insurance Documents
· Medication
Let the vet clinic or groomer know if your dog is nervous or has a history of being aggressive, as they may have a particular protocol to help you.
Some notes on visiting the vet or groomer
Sometimes there is a back door so you don’t have to walk through the waiting room or reception area.
Make sure you know where you are going and the layout of the premises. You may be able to wait in an empty consulting room.
Plan what you are going to do when you get there.
Are you going to wait in the waiting room, in the car or in the car park? If you decide to wait in the car or outside, let the receptionist know so they can come and get you or give you a call when they are ready for you.
Have your dog on a short lead, not a retractable.
Focus on your dog, don’t let them approach other people or animals.
After your appointment at the vet or groomer
Once you have finished your appointment, you may need to settle your bill, collect medication, and make a follow up appointment.
It might be easier for you to take your dog back into the car before you do these things, especially if there is a queue.
Note: references to leaving your dog in the car are subject to safety considerations, such as ambient temperature and security. There are situations where it would not be a safe to leave a dog unattended in a vehicle.
Dog Hydrotherapy
As a young dog Lex, my english springer spaniel, had a painful orthopedic condition which affected his left shoulder (humeral head).
He had surgery in 2020 and recovered well.
One day, last summer, after a training session when he had been retrieving over a fence, he was very dejected and off his food.
The vet diagnosed him with a painful shoulder and said as he was such a young dog, we shouldn’t restrict his exercise, instead we should let him do his usual activity and treat him with pain medications if and when required.
He also thought it would be beneficial to do some hydrotherapy to enable him to exercise without impact on the joint and help maintain muscle mass and build fitness.
We had a referral went along to Gem & Evie's Hydrotherapy for dogs in Surrey (gemandevies.co.uk)
What we got from hydrotherapy
Lex is a high drive working springer and he finds everything exciting and the same was true for hydrotherapy!
The way it works is the dog is showered before swimming to warm up the muscles and remove any dirt from the coat to prevent contaminating the pool.
The first few visits, Lex wouldn’t stand on the shower tray so he was showered on mat on the floor.
Siew Lian was very patient and did not rush him.
After showering, Lex had the buoyancy aid put on and he was ready to go.
He loved the water and he loved swimming.
During the course of the sessions, he became much more comfortable with the environment, once he was showered and ready, he was up the slope and into the pool.
He also adjusted to taking short breaks between swimming and began to enjoy staying still while Siew Lian gave him a massage
Hydrotherapy was very beneficial for Lex both in terms of his physical and mental wellbeing.