Veterinary Readiness Exercises
By Tina Jones, SAC Reception Desk

Teach your pet to be the most well behaved patient, your veterinarian has ever seen.

Most importantly, these exercises need to be positive. Always use a lot of treats when doing these exercises. These exercises can upset some dogs enough to bite. Go slow and only if you both are comfortable that it won’t push your dog beyond the bite threshold.

Teach you pet the following:

• Teach your dog to stand and stay on command while in this position. A person should pat the pet on the head, neck, back and then gently rest your hand under the abdomen. (Typical position for physical examinations)
• Teach your dog to shake or give paw (typical position for catheters and drawing blood samples).
• Teach your dog down and have your dog lay on his or her side with legs away from you and your hands gently holding both lower legs. Practice this for each side. (Typical restraint for most lameness evaluations).
• Practice and teach your dog to tolerate you giving a bear hug around the neck. (Typical technician hold/restraint position).
• Teach your dog to lie on his or her back, and gradually on his or her side. If possible, teach your pet to extend his or her front and back legs (Typical restraint for radiograph positions).
• Dress up in a white lab coat, wear glasses and a hat, and try many different looks (Preparing your dog for meeting Veterinary Clinic’s Receptionists, Technicians and Doctors).
• Teach them to politely walk on a leash.
• Teach them to tolerate someone handling his or her paws, ears and mouth.
• Teach your dog to sit while you are gently holding his or her muzzle and lifting his or her head up to expose there neck. You can even pour a tiny amount of water or rubbing alcohol on his or her neck (Typical position to simulate jugular blood samples).
• Practice short car rides on an empty stomach. Have your dog meet your Veterinary Clinic’s Receptionists, Technicians and Doctors.
• Crate train your dog (simulates hospitalization).
• Teach your dog to tolerate nail clipping and grooming.
• Teach your dog that electric clippers are a source of treats (not scary monsters).
• Teach your dog to tolerate a muzzle. Many dogs will growl or snap when stressed and must be muzzled for human safety, as well as your dogs.
• Lightly pinch the skin at the base of your pet’s neck and then treat, gradually increasing the pressure a little until the feeling of getting pinched is strongly associated with the treat that follows.
• Teach your dog to tolerate Elizabethan collars
• Teach your dog to tolerate bathing (Occasionally necessary to give therapeutic baths).
• Teach them to tolerate you brushing his or her teeth
• Teach them to tolerate his or her temperature being taken.

Generalize to new locations and then have someone else practice all of the above.

This is not a complete list to desensitize your dog, but it is a very good start.

These steps will dramatically increase the odds that you and your dog will have a pleasant visit when you have your next appointment. Always continue to bring treats along with you to your appointments. We have a jar in each exam room, if you forget.

It is our policy that one of our qualified technicians handles your dog. Many owners and veterinary staff members get bitten every year because of inadequate or improper restraint. Always bring your dog to the clinic on a leash or in a crate.

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