5 Tips for Dogs with Vet Anxiety

My border collie is one incredibly nervous dog. Although she's a fifty-pound chunk of dog, she shivers and whimpers like a tiny Chihuahua when something upsets her. That means that, at the vet's office, she used to nearly jump out of her skin. It once took me and two vet techs restraining and muzzling her just to get her still enough to tolerate a shot. Luckily, I found a better way. While she's not happy about going to the vet, it's no longer a crisis. Here are some ways to soothe your dog's vet-related anxiety. 

1. Wear your dog out. If your dog isn't too sick to go for a long, brisk walk or a romp in the park, take her out and make sure she gets lots of exercise before going to the vet. This will wear her out so she doesn't have a lot of built-up energy to contributing to her anxiety.

2. Take her to the vet when she's well. It's a good idea to make sure your dog gets a check-up at least once a year, and make sure that these visits are calm and relaxed when she has them. Bring lots of treats and shower her with attention. She'll have fewer bad associations with the vet if she spends time there when she's not getting shots or anything else scary every time she goes.

3. Don't act too differently. Dogs look to you for reassurance that everything is okay, and if you're acting differently, they'll pick up on it and become more nervous. Shower your dog with extra affection, but don't coo to her and speak to her in a soft, gentle voice (unless that's how you always talk to her). Too much unusual behavior will just make her vet anxiety worse.

4. Warn your vet. If your dog is seeing a new vet and has had trouble with vet anxiety before, make sure to warn the vet in advance. Your vet will take necessary precautions to keep your dog safe and may have a trick or two up his sleeve that he can use to help allay her anxieties.

5. Consider medication. In some circumstances, especially if your anxious dog goes to the vet frequently because of health problems, a veterinarian will prescribe a few doses of Valium or another anxiety-reducing drug, which you can give to your dog before each appointment. These will make your dog more docile and maybe even a little sleepy. Make sure you use these exactly as your vet prescribes.

If you need further help alleviating your dog's general anxiety, don't hesitate to get in touch with your vet or a qualified trainer. Simple measures can make the difference for an anxious dog, turning a nerve-wracking vet appointment into a calmer outing.