Vet visits don’t have to be traumatic

If your dog trembles at the sight of a vet clinic or fights tooth and nail to avoid an exam, you’re not alone. Up to 70% of pets experience fear at the vet! 

What if vet visits didn’t have to be so stressful? 

What if your dog could feel safe, secure, and even cooperative during check-ups? 

Here’s the thing: with the right approach, you can help your dog build confidence and reduce their fear. 

Let’s dive into why vet visits are so challenging for anxious dogs and how cooperative care can make a heap of difference.

Why do dogs fear the vet?

Your dog isn’t being dramatic or stubborn. Vet visit anxiety is real. 

And here’s why so many dogs struggle:

🐾 Unfamiliar environment: the sights, smells, and sounds at the vet can be overwhelming.

🐾 Past trauma: a negative experience can create lasting fear

🐾 Fear of pain: much like humans dreading the dentist, dogs may anticipate discomfort.

 🐾 Lack of agency: being forcibly restrained and handled by strangers can be terrifying.

 🐾 Misunderstood body language: subtle stress signals are often ignored, leading to escalating fear.

Think about your last dentist appointment. Even when it’s necessary, the fear of pain and lack of control can be unsettling. Dogs experience the same fear but without understanding why it’s happening. When they feel trapped, their stress skyrockets, often leading to defensive behaviours like growling or snapping.

Recognising stress in your dog’s body language

Dogs are constantly communicating how they feel. It’s up to us to learn their language, and listen. Recognising their early stress signals can help prevent a full-blown fear response. 

Watch for these signs:

🐾 Lip licking: a subtle sign of stress or uncertainty.

🐾 Ear twitches or flattening: indicates discomfort or fear.

🐾 Muscle tension: a stiff, tense body means your dog is anxious.

🐾 Yawning: in context, often a sign of stress rather than tiredness.

🐾 Whale eye: when the whites of the eyes are visible, your dog may be overwhelmed.

🐾 Avoidance behaviours: turning away, looking away, or trying to leave are signs of discomfort.

If these signals are ignored, dogs will escalate to barking, lunging, snapping. Not out of aggression, but out of fear.

The challenge of training for vet visits

You may have seen zoo animals trained to hold still for injections and medical procedures. It’s impressive, and it has shaped the way we train our dogs (and other companion animals). But there’s a key difference: those animals are working in a familiar environment, with trusted trainers, following a well-rehearsed routine.

Your dog, on the other hand, is expected to tolerate invasive handling from strangers in a busy, unfamiliar setting. Often when they’re already feeling unwell. That’s a big ask!

While cooperative care training can be hugely beneficial, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Seeing expertly trained zoo animals is inspiring, but it can also feel a bit daunting - like, if a tiger can do it, why can’t my Labrador? 

The reality is, you’re not training in a controlled setting, and your dog isn’t working with the same level of consistency. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on progress - small wins that help your dog feel safer and more comfortable over time.

That’s why training ahead of time - and advocating for your dog’s needs during vet visits - is so important. It’s not about achieving flawless, zoo-level skills. It’s about giving your dog the tools and support they need to handle these experiences as confidently as possible.

There is value in training 'procedures', of course. As it allows for husbandry checks and care at home. Wolly and I have been working through this as part of the TEAM Cooperative Care training levels, and we can replicate some of this for our vet, when we go. We just do it with a bit more mess and less finesse 

Cooperative care - a breakthrough for vet visits

Cooperative care training helps dogs learn to tolerate and participate willingly in handling and vet procedures. The goal isn’t just to get through an exam but to build trust and reduce stress.

Why it’s important

🐾 Reduces anxiety and fear responses.

🐾 Strengthens your bond with your dog.

🐾 Helps prevent escalating stress behaviours.

🐾 Makes necessary care easier for your dog, you, and your vet.

How to help your dog feel more comfortable

Want to set your dog up for success? Here are some key strategies:

Desensitise your dog to the vet clinic

🐾 Make frequent casual visits where nothing scary happens - just snacks, fun, and good times.

🐾 Let your dog explore the reception area without expectation or agenda.

Practice handling at home

🐾 Set up dedicated, predictable training scenarios, so they know what’s happening

🐾 Regularly touch your dog’s paws, ears, and body while pairing it with tasty, high-value treats.

🐾 Gradually introduce mock exams at home so vet handling isn’t a shock. 

Be your dog's advocate 

🐾 Learn to read their subtle stress signals and pause to give them a break before they’re overwhelmed.

🐾 Ask your vet to take a slow, low-stress approach.

Break up appointments

🐾 If your dog needs multiple procedures, consider scheduling separate visits to avoid overwhelming them.

Bring a familiar mat

🐾 A designated mat can help your dog feel more secure at the vet by creating a predictable and familiar spot.

🐾 Use the mat for training at home, so your dog associates it with positive experiences.

🐾 Having a familiar surface to settle on can make the environment feel less overwhelming.

Advocating for your dog at the vet

It’s essential to communicate your dog’s needs, so when choosing a vet, look for one who:

🐾 Uses fear-free, low-stress, cooperative methods.

🐾 Allows time for your dog to acclimatise.

🐾 Respects your dog’s comfort levels during handling.

Pro tip: once you’ve found a vet who works with you and your dog, set the stage for success by:

🐾 Booking longer appointments: extra time means less pressure and a calmer experience.
🐾 Requesting outdoor visits: clinics often accommodate exams outside or in the car for dogs who need a bit more space.
🐾 Ask about pre-visit meds: talk to your vet about anxiety-reducing options to set your dog up for success.

A supportive vet partnership can make all the difference in helping your dog feel safe.

Medication is a helpful tool, not a last resort

While training is key, medication can be a valuable tool for severely anxious dogs. If your dog experiences extreme stress, talk to your vet about:

🐾 Pre-visit calming medication.

🐾 Anti-anxiety options for ongoing support.

🐾 Sedation for procedures when necessary.

Medication isn’t “giving up”; it’s about helping your dog feel safe enough to learn.

Beyond vet visits - cooperative care at home

Cooperative care isn’t just for the vet. It’s a life skill. 

Training your dog to willingly participate in grooming, nail trims, and handling at home builds confidence and trust.

How to start

🐾 The "Humans Do Stupid Shit" game: get your dog used to the idea that humans are odd and do weird things. Teach them to expect the unexpected, by using a variety of random props, gentle restraint, and unexpected touches in a fun way, paired with plenty of (very tasty) treats. 

🐾 Slowly introduce handling: work on paws, ears, and mouth handling at home before it becomes a necessity. Use predictor cues, to help them learn what’s happening next.

🐾 Use choice-based training: allow your dog to opt in to care routines to build trust and cooperation. It’s also important that they can opt out - the more often we allow them to say “no”, the more likely they are to say “yes”.

A better vet experience is possible

With patience, training, and a positive training approach, you can transform your dog’s vet visits from stressful to manageable, and maybe even fun. 

By understanding their fears, recognising their stress signals, and using cooperative care training, you’ll help your dog feel safer, more confident, and more in control.

Your dog deserves to feel safe, and you deserve peace of mind.

Looking for more help? 

Helping dogs be less afraid of the vet is one of my passion topics! If you'd like help for your dog, schedule your training 

Read next: 

Why cooperative care is so important to me

Dogs, they are not problems to be 'fixed'

Stay tuned for upcoming blogs on:

• How to introduce muzzle training for stress-free vet visits.
• Step-by-step cooperative care training exercises you can do at home.