How to Take a Mean Dog to the Vet

Protect your veterinarian from your aggressive dog.

It's time for your dog's annual vet exam---you may dread making the trip because of your pet's prior antagonism toward the veterinarian and other workers in the clinic. Knowing how to handle the situation and your animal before you make the appointment will help to lessen your anxiety and may prevent your dog from biting and seriously injuring someone.

Things You'll Need

• Well-fitting muzzle
• Dog crate
• Reinforced leash
• Favorite toy or treat

Instructions

1. Place a muzzle around your dog's mouth, securing it so that he's unable to pull the muzzle over his head with his paws.

2. Place your dog in a dog crate. Leave the muzzle on to ensure safety for the veterinarian or vet technicians who will need to work with your pet after removing him from the crate.

3. Use a reinforced leash to control your dog if he's too large to carry in a crate.

4. Keep your dog, either in a crate or on a reinforced leash, close to you in the waiting area at the vet. Direct his attention away from other people and animals (don't allow him to sniff or stare down other pets) in the waiting area by keeping his head turned toward you and distracting him with a favorite toy or treat.

5. Give permission for the veterinarian to sedate your dog if necessary to complete the examination and/or procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your appointment for the end of the workday when there may be fewer animals or people in the waiting area.

• Tell the receptionist your pet is aggressive when you make the appointment; let the vet know you'll be muzzling your dog.

• Determine the reason your dog is aggressive and sign up for professional dog training prior to the veterinary examination, if possible. Fear, pain, a genetic predisposition and protection of territory and/or owners are all reasons that dogs can become aggressive, according to the book "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend."

• If you're unable to curb your dog's violent behavior, you may need to consider relinquishing him to a shelter or euthanizing him. The Dumb Friends League, a no-kill shelter in the Denver area, recommends notifying the shelter you leave your dog with about his behavior so that they can place him with an appropriate family: "A person who is unaware of the dog's problems could be injured by him, and an aggressive dog may be abused, abandoned or neglected as a result of his behavior."

References

• "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; The Monks of New Skete; 2009
• The Dumb Friend's League: Understanding Aggressive Behavior in Dogs

Resources

• Vet Info: Aggressive Dog Behavior Training: Eliminate Biting and Barking
• Humane Society of the United States: Dog Aggression
• Hilltop Animal Hospital: Dominance Aggression in Dogs