Last week we took Ella to the vet (long story - we were worried that she was sneezing more than usual, had a check, no really concerning symptoms, decided to watch and wait for a few days, went back to normal - added to the 'mysterious illness' pile) Anyway, the last few times we've been she's been pretty jumpy and clearly not too impressed about being there. She's a little uncomfortable in the waiting room but, after a few cues (I always muck around with a few rally stations as they're quick, on the spot and demand attention) and treats, she settles pretty well. However, when we see the vet she wriggles and squirms and doesn't want to be examined. Ignoring the fact that I'd obviously like her to have a better experience, I'm concerned that the vet never gets to examine her properly and if (hopefully never) there is a concern, we'll have to opt for sedation or GA for proper examination where other dogs might be able to avoid it. So, I'm starting up vet-like examinations with lots of high value treats and I'll get my OH to do the same when she's OK with me. I can also drag in some friends from dog club to do simple checks for me so that she improves with lots of different people. Im not sure what else to do though as obviously me looking at her teeth at home (which she's fine with) is completely different to the vet doing it. Any ideas?
For show stacking, we did lots of "stand for inspection" stuff with Luna, where random people would come up while she was stacked, run their hands over her body and check her teeth. It really helped. So maybe training a solid "stand" cue where people do that sort of thing would help? Or, Tom from Absolute Dogs (who is a veterinary behaviourist) suggests training a dog to stand up with its paws on you. Proofing this against people touching her, again. From this position, most examinations can take place easily.
It's funny that you say that because Ella will do an obedience 'stand for examination' but it is a little less invasive than a 'show ring' examination and much less invasive than a vet examination. Her stand-stay is really solid but I think it might be then environment more than anything. Once we're in the vet's examination room, she's off with the fairies.
How many exam rooms are there? My vet surgery often has a vacant one so, if I wanted, I'm sure I could go and practice in there on occasion.
It's the Rspca and it's huge. That's a great idea. I have a load of blankets to donate so I'll ask them about it when I drop them off. Thanks!
Tatze was terrible It came on suddenly for no reason I could discern, they were lovely vets. We changed vets for a new start and called every week for weighing and visits. I explained her phobia. We made sure she was never forced anywhere, waited ‘till she chose to go in the room etc. I gave the vet treats to give her. We were lucky she didn’t need any treatment for some time. A few weeks ago she needed to go in for an op to take a tooth out. All has been fine. She worries a bit (some lip licking) but all is well, touch wood. .
The only thing I can think of with Ella is that she hasn't really been to the vet recently. When she was a puppy it was every few weeks (you know what it's like - bad tummy, funny rash, sudden limp etc. etc. ). Thankfully - touch wood - we've had a bit of a dry spell and I wonder if this is what's caused it.
Cooper is fine at the vet though maybe a little apprehensive. She is not too bad with shots which is a good thing. On the other hand they have not been able to do rectal temp since she was a small pup. She does not like tools, be it a thermometer, clippers, or even a brush. She is funny, I can do almost anything with my hands as long as I don't have some sort of tool.
Is the vet's close enough that you could just start popping by fairly often and randomly? Not for an appointment, but just to get her 100% positive about going in - so treats in the waiting room, maybe asking a vet tech to give her a quick pet or have her step on/off the scale and then head on off again. Maybe that would help her get much more relaxed and then the actual exam (combined with your other ideas for getting her used to the hands-on part) would be easier?
Yep, I think that's the way to go. I'm popping in on Saturday to drop off some donations so I'll take Ella along with me, have a quick wander through, maybe sit on the scales (Ella, not me ) and give her lots of treats.
Poppy hates the vet (no bad experiences ever, she just gets really nervous there); Merlin thinks it is the BEST FUN EVER. I think it's partly just down to their individual characters...
It's funny isn't it. Ella wouldn't bat an eyelid in a storm or around fireworks but the vet really makes her uncomfortable. Same as Poppy, no bad experiences but she just doesn't like it there.
Yup, Squidge thinks it's amazing, although she hated it at first because vets = eye drops when she was a baby. Now, she barges in like a bulldozer, saying, HI!! I'M LUNA!! LOVE ME!! Willow doesn't like it and becomes really submissive, rolling on her back. Shadow, who hasn't had a single bad experience, sits on his tail and shakes.
Haha, that is SO Merlin! We think he always introduces himself like this: "Hi! I'm Merlin!! EVERYBODY LOVES ME!!!!" No, they don't actually Merly, especially not when you've been in the pond again... Poppy has got much better at the vets; she actually used to back up and BARK at one particular (very nice, gentle, female) vet... I can only think this particular vet was a little nervous, and this confirmed Poppy in her suspicion that the vets surgery was a dangerous place... We spent a lot of time just dropping in to weigh her and give her treats, and she now no longer barks or shakes, but she does try to sit on my feet or my lap, and she licks her lips a lot in a nervous fashion, while Merlin rolls around trying to show everyone who is interested (or even those who aren't interested) his boy bits...
This is how Ella used to be. She used to drag me through the door! It's been a gradual change over about 18 months where she's become more unhappy there. I guess it's one of those things where we don't believe there's been a bad experience but there could have been a tiny, seemingly insignificant moment that has put her off.
Stanley used to be fine. He's still good in the waiting room but last time I had to carry him into the consultation room after that horrible woman pinned him down I'm actually considering changing vets and re-starting with only positive associations because he was always fine previously. But I don't know if the damage is already done
What horrible woman was that? I've always taken Cassie to our vets for free weigh ins and checks with the vet nurses which means she's been happy to go there, but I've seen one vet about her ears who just lacked skills in both handling Cassie and me, and then for clipping her nails recently as no nurse available, well never again. My eyes are not so good these days but that vet had no idea, last time we went Cass did not want to go into the consulting room with the lovely vet nurse, who then changed rooms and all was fine! So, yes, it can be very subtle things that we may not notice .
I don't know why we expect them to be ok about vets the're not daft they know it can be bad. I just try to make sure mine can tolerate it without getting too stressed. Its all usually ok until they have there first serious incident thats painful and stressful, then you have to work on getting them ok again.its more of an on going process they can be fine and relaxed and then something happens which changes their opinion.
