At Animal Medical Center, we understand that vet visits can be stressful for dogs and their owners. If fear isn’t addressed, it can escalate over time, making future visits even harder. That’s why we use fear-free and low-stress handling techniques to create a low-stress, positive experience for dogs and their people.
By working together as a team—you, your dog, and our veterinary staff—we can make vet visits less stressful and ensure your dog gets the medical care they need. Here’s how!
Before the Visit: Preparing Your Dog for Success
✅ Understand Your Dog’s Body Language
Dogs communicate stress through their body language. Early signs of fear include lip licking, yawning, tucked tails, and avoidance behaviors. If ignored, anxiety can escalate to trembling, growling, or even aggression. Recognizing these early cues allows us to adjust our approach to keep your dog feeling safe.
✅ Use Pheromone Sprays or Calming Supplements
Adaptil mimics natural calming pheromones for dogs and helps reduce stress.
At AMC, we use Adaptil diffusers in our hospital to create a soothing environment.
If your dog tends to get anxious, consider purchasing a bottle of Adaptil spray and using it on a towel or blanket you can keep with your dog in the car and bring into the exam room with you. (Available on major online retailers including Amazon or Chewy.)
Some dogs may benefit from anti-anxiety medications before their visit—ask us if this would be helpful for your pet.
✅ Minimize Waiting Room Stress: Wait in Your Car
To reduce stress, you can wait in your car instead of the lobby. When you arrive, park in a designated spot and call the front desk.
Our team will notify you when an exam room is ready, and a nurse will escort you straight to the exam room, avoiding unnecessary exposure to unfamiliar sights and sounds.
✅ Try “Happy Visits” for Nervous Dogs
Stop by for a quick “happy visit” where our staff can greet your dog, offer treats, and create a positive association with our clinic.
Your dog can also step on the scale during a happy visit!
AMC Clients are welcome to stop by for a (no charge) happy visit any time we're open!
✅ Take Your Dog on Joy Rides
Take your dog for a joy ride every once in a while! Help your dog get positive associations with car rides by taking them out for a hike or a puppy ice cream cone or to visit a friend.
Be generous with treats during your outing!
Even a ride around the block with a few "car food" treats help!
During the Visit: Keeping Things Calm & Positive
✅ Use High-Value Treats
At AMC, we offer treats for dogs throughout their visit to help reinforce a positive experience.
Bring your dog’s favorite treats—lick mats, frozen Kongs, or special snacks can help distract and soothe anxious dogs.
✅ Minimize Handling Stress
Large dogs may feel more comfortable being examined on the floor rather than lifted onto an exam table.
AMC's lift table is often helpful for large dogs when they do need to be (or want to be) on the exam table.
Most dogs don't need a muzzle, but when a dog presents a bite risk, a muzzle is less stressful for your dog than strong restraint.
If your dog needs to be muzzled for safe handling, it is best if you give your dog plenty of practice putting on and wearing their muzzle at home and you put on the muzzle before arriving at the hospital.
✅ Know When to Take a Break
If stress levels rise, we can pause, take a break, or reschedule the procedure.
For highly anxious dogs, sedation may be an option.
After the Visit: Reinforcing Positive Experiences
✅ Offer Praise & Treats
Give extra love, treats, and playtime after the visit to reinforce positive associations.
✅ Plan for Future Visits
If your dog showed signs of distress, we can discuss:
Pre-visit anxiety medications
Desensitization training
Additional Fear Free techniques for future visits
Referral to a behaviorist
📞 Need to schedule an appointment? Call us at 304-292-0126 or visit www.morgantownamc.com.
By working together, we can help make vet visits a more positive experience—because every pet deserves to feel safe, loved, and well cared for! 🐾💙
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