Dear Miss Behavin’:
We were told by our vet at our dogs last visit that he was very nervous and they needed to muzzle him. Is there anything we can do so that his future visits are not so stressful for him?
What a great question and yes there are a few things you can do to prepare him for a less stressful experience next time around.
You can work on muzzle training him, so that the muzzle is not associated with only that experience. Make the muzzle fun and take the time he needs to get used to it. A basket style muzzle is my choice, it will allow your pup to still be able to take treats and easily pant. Show your pup the muzzle and reinforce with a treat when he shows interest. Then encourage him to place his nose in the basket and reinforce this behavior. Continue to build the difficulty level as he is ready. Take your time and your pup will be excited for future muzzle training session.
You will also want to work on body handling and restraint skills. Depending on how tolerant your pup is with you handling them, will depend on how much work you will need to do here. Think about things your vet may need to do during an exam, such as touching the body, checking ears, teeth, listening to his heart and giving shots or taking blood. Pair each of these tasks with a treat to make it a fun experience for your pup! Don’t overdo it and take your time allowing him to set the pace.
We are currently offering virtual and in-person consult sessions, if you would like to have one of our behaviorist help you with the process.