Fear Free Vet. and Groomer Visits

58% of dogs are said to know they’re going to the Vets before they get there (Mariti et al 2015).  So don’t only go for car rides when you’re going to the Vets, take your puppy to lots of places in the car so that the car doesn’t become the trigger for the bad stuff.

Normally puppies go to the Vets at least once or twice, before they’re allowed to go in dog populated areas, to receive their core vaccinations.  This visit may coincide with a fear period which means unless the pup had a lovely experience whilst there, he may be very reluctant to go in again or may show anxiety, nervous or fear behaviours.

Have several ‘Happy Visits’ to the Vets intermittently through puppyhood.  These include having a game of tuggy or ball in the car park, let pup do some sniffing games or take a loaded Snufflemat with you.

Build up getting to the entrance, on entry ask the receptionist/nurses to give pup a treat, have a puppy cuddle, maybe give pup a weigh, use a Snufflemat and leave.  Repeat as often as you can, because the next big visit will probably be neutering.

Condition the pup to think ‘YIPPEE, ‘good stuff is coming my way in here!’, instead of ‘No Way, scary stuff is about to happen, get me out of here!’.

The number one cause of bites is fear.

A slow gentle approach paired with treats give the pups’ a positive emotional response by putting ‘deposits’ in the puppy’s trust bank of ‘I like it here and the people in it!’.

Food has a physiological calming effect so use it generously, use ‘jackpot’ treats occasionally.

Husbandry training includes:

• Crate training.
• Muzzle training.
• Lampshade collar training.
• Handling techniques.

If puppies get used to these items through game playing, when young, it will keep them stress free if and when these may need to be used.

The same things are applied to the Groomers.  A grooming table can look like a medieval torture device to a puppy, with a plethora of restraining devices.  If a pup struggles or wriggles on the table, an assistant may be called on to help restrain him.  The more he struggles the more he’s restrained, so the more he’s restrained the more he struggles, it becomes a vicious circle.

If the pup is not enjoying his experiences, he may exhibit ‘learned helplessness’ (which looks like he’s behaving appropriately) or freeze, which is him ‘shutting down’ also known as ‘tonic immobility’ or he could exhibit aggressive behaviours to express himself.

So following the protocol for a ‘Happy Visit’ and by properly conditioning the pup to grooming equipment at home, all visits should be as stress and fear free as possible.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!