25/10/2025
This echoes something I discuss with clients a lot who have dogs who struggle in veterinary settings.
If you go in demonstrating you know what you’re doing and you put the vet staff’s safety then they will have a hell of a lot more trust and respect in you which in turns makes the whole vet visit less stressful.
Teaching things like cooperative restraint and muzzle training, being open and honest about your dogs behaviour struggles and devising a structured vet plan are all really sensible ways to help the vet visit go as smoothly as possible
Get in touch if you need some support with vet visits and handling!
🛑 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 🛑
Period.
When you own a dog, regardless of size, breed or temperament, it’s your responsibility to keep everyone around you safe.
This includes your vet.
This is my dog Roy. He is my absolute world and I love him and would do anything for him. He’s an incredible pet to our family and a small circle of people that he’s chosen.
He’s also a prick to people he has no relationships with. Before me he had a bite hitory and he is absolutely capable of still doing it at 11.5 years of age. He’s got terrible genetics and very thin nerves.
Yesterday he needed vet care.
You know what I did?
✅ I checked reception before I walked in to ensure nobody was in our path.
✅ I had him on a short lead under physical and verbal control.
✅ I kept both of us away from the doorway until we were called in, while keeping an eye out for unexpected people ready to move if needed.
✅ I restrained him appropriately while the vets and nurses did their thing and reassured them that they would be safe not only with my words but with my actions.
✅ I didn’t get offended at their requests around safety or his cage label.
In short, I did everything in my power to help the vets and nurses do what they needed to do safely and go home in one piece.
It bugs me intensely when I see people endangering professionals who are there to help them. Your vet clinic shouldnt end up with staff at the ED because you dont believe in muzzles, restraint or responsible dog handling.
When you own a dog, you have a duty of care to ensure they do not cause damage to other people in EVERY environment and situation. You dont get to pass off responsibility.
If you have a dog who has social issues, thats ok.
Just make sure you keep your community safe 🫶
