Calm Paws Happy Hearts

There is no doubt that veterinary doctors in India are dedicated professionals, but certain untrained and uncertified auxiliary staff—compounders, cleaners, and caretakers—pose a threat to the animals because they are poorly equipped to handle animals. This mismanagement and mishandling of pets may lead to both emotional trauma and physical injury.

As a pet parent, there are some steps that you can take to ensure your furry friend’s experience at the vet clinic is comfortable, calm, and stress-free.

Training begins at home

Training your dog to feel comfortable at a vet’s clinic starts long before the actual visit. You can use table training at home by getting your pet accustomed to being on an elevated surface. Start by teaching her to lie down on her side, offer a paw, or wear a muzzle.

These behaviours, rewarded with her favourite treat, help her feel more relaxed and familiar with the actions required during veterinary check-ups. There is a positive association that your pet has with these behaviours in a calmer environment and these could become an easy transition at the vet’s clinic.

Our K9 Healers flagship dog, Stella, was trained to jump on a table and willingly offer her paw or wear a muzzle on command. This not only made her clinic visits stress-free but also reduced the need for handlers to restrain her, creating a smoother experience for both the dog and the staff.

Familiarize your furry friend with medical equipment

Another important aspect of preparing your pet is to introduce her to the tools and equipment that are not natural to her. For example – the instruments and tools used by a vet during treatment like muzzles, nail clippers, syringes, and bandages could be introduced gradually much before vet visits become a part of your pet’s life.

You can desensitise your pet by allowing her to explore these objects in a non-threatening manner and by rewarding her on good behaviour like offering treats. This way she will form positive associations, reducing her fear and resistance later on.

Make vet visits a ‘paw’sitive experience

Visit the vet for short, positive experiences before any actual treatment is needed. Take your pet into the clinic, feed her a meal, or offer treats, and allow her to become familiar with the space.

This might not sound like a major experience. Associating the vet’s office with food and positive reinforcement rather than just medical procedures will help build a sense of comfort and reduce the chance of anxiety during future visits for your pet.

Select clinics based on animal-handling skills

Not all clinics are created equal. While cost and convenience are often top priorities, it’s crucial to choose a clinic that values compassionate animal handling. Choose a clinic where the staff is trained. The staff should be trained to recognize a dog’s body language, use gentle methods, and avoid unnecessary restraint or stress.

Focussing on the economic factors associated with the vet’s clinic is not the right approach, and as a pet parent, you must ensure that you are sure about the place you chose to take care of your beloved furry friend.

Monitor your pet’s behaviour in stressful situations

When dogs are handled roughly, they tend to exhibit one of three responses – fight, flight, or avoidance.

A pet who tries to flee may be pinned down with far more aggression than needed, while one who fights is often labelled as aggressive and restrained further, possibly leading to the use of a muzzle. Pets who avoid confrontation may comply but remain severely stressed, leading to long-term fear of veterinary visits.

To prevent these responses, ensure that your pet is handled gently and given time to acclimate to the clinic environment. Avoid any place where multiple handlers are required to restrain your pet, as this can increase her stress and result in injury or panic.

Raising the Bar: Why certification matters in veterinary care

One of the biggest gaps in India’s veterinary industry is the lack of standardised training for compounders and clinic staff. Many people enter this field due to the limited availability of other jobs, and they may not have the necessary skills or passion for working with animals.

Pet parents have a crucial role to play in ensuring their pets have a positive experience at the vet clinic. By preparing your pet for these experiences and advocating for better standards, we can create a safer, more compassionate world for our four-legged companions.

As more clinics adopt certified, compassionate care, we hope to see a significant reduction in animal mistreatment and improve the overall well-being of pets in India.

(Adnaan K. Khan – Animal Behaviour Expert and Founder of K9 School – Asia’s largest dog training academy)