Scared to Take Your Aggressive Dog to the Vet?

Taking an aggressive dog to the vet…

Owning an aggressive dog can be stressful, especially when it comes time to take them to the vet. Dealing with aggressive dogs is a fact of life for most veterinary clinics, but that doesn’t mean that you should just stroll into the vet and hope for the best. Our veterinary clinic in Levittown has come up with the following list of tips for taking your aggressive dog to the vet:

#1. Talk to the vet beforehand.

No vet wants to be surprised by an aggressive dog, and frankly, it will only make the entire situation that much worse. Before you make an appointment, talk to your vet about your dog’s aggressive behavior, that way you can both be prepared. Chances are, they will be able to give you some tips and safety measures that you can take to help make you and your dog more comfortable.

#2. Keep yourself under control.

Dogs are incredibly responsive to their owner’s emotions. If you are nervous, anxious and full of fear, your dog is likely to have a similar reaction. It is important to stay calm and keep yourself in check so that your dog knows that you aren’t in danger and that everything is okay. It is also important to note that you should avoid punishing your dog when they are anxious or aggressive. It will only make the situation worse.

These are just a couple of things that you can do to make taking your aggressive dog to the vet easier. Learn more when you stay tuned for our next blog.

Concerned about taking your aggressive dog to the veterinarian in North Merrick?

There’s no doubt about it, it can be stressful to take an aggressive dog to the vet, but luckily, there are things that you can do to make the entire situation less stressful and more manageable. In our latest blog, we went over a couple of helpful tips for taking your dog to the vet, including having a discussion with your veterinarian beforehand and keeping yourself in check. The following is a list of a few more helpful tips for taking an aggressive dog to the vet:

#3. Work with your dog at home.

Aggression most commonly stems from fear and anxiety, and when a vet is suddenly touching your dog where they aren’t used to being touched, like their mouth or their paws, it can send them into overdrive. Practice examining your dog at home to get them used to being handled. Massage their paws, look inside their ears, play with their mouth, etc.

#4. Brush up on the basics.

When your dog understands basic commands, like sit, stand, turn and lie down, they will require less cajoling from you or the vet. Less cajoling often means less anxiousness and aggression, so work with your dog so that he or she understands these basic commands.

#5. Utilize positive reinforcement.

For many dogs, positive reinforcement goes a long way. Give your dog plenty of treats, hugs and praise at the veterinary clinic, so that they will associate it with good, positive things.

We have just a couple more tips for taking your aggressive dogs to the veterinarian. Learn more when you stay tuned for our next blog.

Taking your dog to our veterinary clinic in North Bellmore doesn’t have to be stressful.

When you have an aggressive dog, a visit to the vet can be one of the most stressful situations you will have to deal with. That is why, in our last blog, we gave you a few helpful tips for keeping your dog calm at the vet. To recap, we talked about positive reinforcement, practicing exams at home and teaching them basic commands. The following is a list of our last tips for taking your aggressive dog to the vet:

#6. Make them comfortable in a muzzle.

Sometimes the best way to keep your dog from biting anyone at the vet is with a muzzle. Muzzles aren’t cruel, in fact, they are generally soft, comfortable and easy to breathe through. They also tend to give dogs a firm sense of resignation and they can help to relax them as well. However, just like anything else, your dog needs to have time to get used to wearing a muzzle in a safe, comfortable environment. Put the muzzle on at home and give them tasty treats and lots of praise when they wear it.

#7. Talk to your vet about drugs.

When all else fails, you may have to resort to drugs to keep your dog calm. However, you should ALWAYS talk to your veterinarian before administering any drugs to your dog. Your vet may prescribe something and tell you to try it at home beforehand, that way you can have a clear understanding of how the drug affects your dog in an environment that is safe and comfortable for them.

Do you have questions or concerns about taking your aggressive dog to the vet? Contact us at East Meadow Veterinary Center today!