Michael R. from Scottsdale wrote:
Taking my dog to the vet is not pleasant to say the least!
He is a German Shepherd, 6 months old. Just getting him through the front door of the Vet’s Office is quiet the effort, I have to drag him in there. When the vet is physically examine him my dog is fighting the whole time and needs to be restrained by two people. Even though they talk to him and try to make him feel good, things seem to be getting worse. I am looking for some suggestions to correct his behavior. He will get bigger and stronger than he already is, and I fear that things will get to be unmanageable.
Zauberberg Team answers:
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your question, your dog is not an exception. It seems like he has had a bad start experiencing the vet’s office itself as a location as well as the people there.
Even though the experience for your dog has created his behaviors, it is never too late to adjust.
Commonly the vet staff does not know enough about conditioning behaviors properly. Unfortunately their field of expertise is animal health more than animal behavior- or the psychology of learning. Very rarely do we observe a staff member or vet that does the things necessary in order to manipulate animal behavior for the purpose of making a vet visit easy.
Just an example of staff restraining a dog”
The dog is on the examine table being restrained by a person. The dog feels uncomfortable and fights the restrain. The staff is talking “good boy, you are ok” repeatedly. What is the dog associating at that moment? He must feel that being restless is the right thing to do. He is being praised at the same time he is doing it. Why would he change his behavior?
Considering that the greatest reward results in greatest learning, the question is: What is his greatest rewarding this situation?
It is to get out of the restrain!
If restrained correctly, fighting it should not lead to freedom. When he just stops for a second- the restrain stops. Gradually asking for a longer duration of accepting the restrain will train him that holding still leads to freedom.
We suggest that you condition certain physical “handling” with YOU as his friend. This should first be performed in an environment that is comfortable for him, such as your home. Touch his foot briefly-follow with a treat. Cradle him (your arms around his torso, not squeezing) for a second followed by a treat. Lift his lip (or start with just touching his muzzle)followed by a treat.
This way a brief touch of all body parts is conditioned to be a positive feeling. It will be liked instead of being connected with something that is disliked.
The dislike is created the same way as the likes.
The opposite would be lifting his foot and make him feel uncomfortable getting his nails trimmed!
Going to the vet’s office, being restrained and getting a shot!
The procedures and their context should be prepared in a comfortable way from the start.
I know some vet’s offer a free exam to get you in the office for the first time.
It is suggested to take this visit as a joyful experience. Take your treats and start making the Vet’s office a party place!