Clinical desensitisation training
Reducing stress for vet visits
“EEK I have to go to the vet….”
If you dread bringing your dog to a vet clinic as for whatever reason, they have developed a real fear and nervousness about visiting, we can help. We have a way to help retrain your dog to make your visits as smooth as possible.
Jamie, Teigan and Toni are our fully qualified vet nurses who run desensitisation clinics. They have learnt many of their techniques and skills from a local canine behaviourist Cat Watson and offer clinical desensitisation training for your nervous four-legged friend.
The vet clinic can be a scary place for some dogs, especially if they have had a bad experience in the past or they are a nervous dog in everyday life. Here at Nelson Vets our team has a special interest in canine behaviour and we offer desensitisation consults.
Is it right for my dog? These consults are great for dogs with the following behaviour issues in clinic:
- Gets very frightened when coming into the clinic
- Growls/ barks when coming into the clinic or the consult room
- Can get snappy with the vet or nurse
- Does not like to be examined
- Tries everything to get out of the building
- Hates to have any type of injection
- Hates nail clips in the clinic or at home
What is it: Your dog will have multiple visits to the clinic to help desensitise them to the environment, and to allow them to be treated by the vet staff. The goal is to make the experience much better for you and your dog and even allow them to let us do things they previously would not, such as a nail clip, avoiding the need to be sedated for this which can be costly.
How it works
Step one: You and your dog will come in for an initial consult with the nurse. Here you will discuss the major issues that your dog has coming into the clinic and formulate a plan going forwards. A positive bond will also start to be formed at this appointment with a focus on getting to know each other without anything that your dog may find scary happening to them. It will be discussed how many consultations you will likely need, and how often you should be coming in to see the nurse.
The average number of recommended sessions is 4. However, this will be adapted on a case-by-case basis for your dog's needs.
Step 2:
Your next consults will be working on the issues that have become apparent with your dogs' behaviour/fears they have in the clinic. We will continue to build a positive relationship while adding in things like examinations and pretend injections, (like for vaccinations). Your dog will never be pushed too far, and we will always work at their pace, aiming to finish the consult on a positive note every time.
What will you need:
- A positive attitude
- Your dog's favourite treats!
Coming in to do nurse behaviour consults with us truly is an investment, in your dog and in yourself. It can reduce stress and anxiety around routine veterinary tasks, aggression towards the vet clinic staff and environment. It can save you money in the long run and most importantly it can be beneficial to your dog’s overall quality of life.
Call us today to book your first desensitisation session, these are run out of both Victory and Saxton clinics.
We got this!