Make Vet Visits A Positive Experience For Your Basset Hound

It is not uncommon for dogs to dread vet visits, so if your basset hound is less than enthusiastic this is only natural. The entire experience is often overwhelming to your dog because he is bombarded by many different animal and human smells, and any other scents that may be lingering in the air or on surfaces in the veterinarian office. Furthermore, there are often other people's pets in the space, and your pooch will likely associate the environment with past unpleasant experiences, such as getting a needle, etc.

To help your basset hound feel better about visiting the vet, the following are tips you can try that may make his trip a more pleasant one:

• Walk your dog prior to visiting the vet - This will allow him the opportunity to relieve himself, release some energy, and enjoy time with you.

• Take treats with you - Dogs love cookies and usually recognize them as a reward for being a good pet or pleasing you. Provide him with a small treat when he enters the vet's office and praise him. Give him another treat when you are sitting in the waiting room, and reward him another when the checkup is complete.

• Praise your dog and comfort him - To sooth any anxiety the basset hound may feel, provide him with calming words and pet him. That being said, you will want to avoid baby-talking or making a huge fuss over you pooch, as this will only make him more upset and encourage him to feel fear.

• Make unscheduled visits to the vet - If you only take your hound to his doctor when he needs vaccinations or is not well, he will only associate negativity with the environment. Therefore, call up the veterinarian and ask them if you can bring your pet in for a simple social visit. That way your pal will receive affection, attention, and treats with no strings (I.E. needles, poking or prodding) attached.

In conclusion, two other things you will want to ensure to create a positive basset hound vet trip is:

1. Make sure your pooch has been socialized with other dogs and people. This shouldn't be too difficult considering bassets are natural social bugs. Nevertheless, socialize him often because it will make him more agreeable to the other animals he could meet in the doctor's office.
2. Follow all of the veterinarian's rules. Find out what regulations the office expects you to follow and adhere to them. For instance, your dog must be on a short leash, or he must wear a gentle leader (halti) or muzzle. If any of these restrictions apply, ensure that he is accustomed to these items prior to his visit.

When all is said and done, your goal is to make a basset hound not dread his visits to the veterinarian's office, but accept them as part of a normal routine.