Hey, guys! George here. Mozart got to talk last time, so now it’s my turn. Mozart and I love a LOT of things, like treats just for big dogs, squeaky toys, and even playing in the rain. Then, there are some things we aren’t too fond of.
You know what I’m talking about. Last time, you probably told your furry friend that you were going to the dog park, just to get him in the car. Then, you went to…the VET.
I have to go to the vet a lot. When I was four weeks old, I had parvo—only a 10% chance of survival. I saw the vet a lot then, and I still do even now. After eight weeks of intense treatment, I got better! But I still have to deal with some of the leftover stuff, like irritable bowel syndrome. We all get a little emotional when we talk about it, so you can read more here if you want to–and about Mozart’s vet visits, too.
Now, we know the vet is a nice person. Maybe has dogs just like us. But we also know there’s a good chance we’ll get stuck with something sharp while we’re there. Good for us or not, we don’t like being stuck with sharp things.
And the next time you say we’re going to the dog park, we won’t believe you. If you really want to know how to make visits to the vet easier, we have a few tips you can try with your pups.
Start Early with Conditioning
The vet is going to poke, prod, and pet us for a while. There’s no getting around it. You can help us get ready for that by conditioning us early to get comfy with handling. Touch his tummy, check his teeth, and move his ears. Then give him a treat. Next, hold her paws, check the pads, and inspect all the joints. Then, give her a treat.
Do this often, and your dog won’t be too uncomfortable when the vet does it. Just make sure you have treats ready, because he’ll expect them!
Go for a Social Visit
If your fur baby only goes to the vet when something is wrong, then he’ll start to expect that shot or other discomforts any time he’s in the office. But, what if you took your good boy or girl by in between vet appointments just to say hi to the staff and visit with some of the other pets in the waiting room?
Sit for a minute and let your dog take it all in. Give her some treats and tell her how well she’s behaving. Take her back to say a quick hello to her doctor and get some ear scritches. Next time she goes, she won’t be as nervous!
Actually Go to the Park
If your dog only gets in the car to go to the vet, then the car will soon become synonymous with anxiety. Mozart and I love to ride in cars! We love it when our parents take us to the dog park or to go for a short hike. We love the beach and playing in creeks and lakes. When it’s time to get in the car, we just do it! If we end up at the vet instead of the park—well, that’s just a risk we’re willing to take.
Heavy Hand with the Treats
There’s just about nothing I wouldn’t do for a treat, especially my favorite ones. You know, those soft, meaty treats that taste like steak. Or, at least, what I imagine steak tastes like. I’ll even get in the car, sit quietly in the waiting room, and behave myself when the vet inspects me, all for a delicious treat.
Mozart and I think your dog would probably do just about anything for his favorite treats, too.
We hope these tips help you keep your best friend healthy. We’ll keep bringing you tips and tricks for your Huge Hound whenever we can.
Expect big things!
Love,
