Taking A Mature Dog To A Vaccine Appointment For The First Time
When people get dogs with puppies, the owners and the puppies get a chance to navigate those first few vet appointments together. But what if you adopt a mature dog? Without that puppy period to adapt, you may not be sure what to expect or how to navigate your dog's vaccine appointments with the vet. Here are some tips for taking a mature dog in for vaccines your first time.
1. Practice taking car rides
A mature dog is not always as easy to put in a car as a puppy. So, before the vaccine appointment arrives, you'll want to practice getting your dog in and out of the car. Take rides around the block, or take your dog somewhere he or she loves, like a friend's house or a dog park. When the day of the vaccine appointment arrives, your dog will just figure they're going on another fun ride, so they're less likely to get nervous on the way.
2. Remain calm
Dogs feed off their owners' energy. Especially if you recently adopted this new dog and it has been in a new environment, it has probably become used to looking at you for feedback as to what's going on and how to react. So, if you're calm when you take your dog to the vet for a vaccine, the dog will remain calm. If you have to do a little yoga or meditate the morning of the appointment so you can stay calm, do so.
3. Let the vet tech handle the dog
You should definitely go into the exam room with your dog when you're called. However, if the vet tech offers to take over holding the dog for the vaccines, take them up on this offer. Vet techs are trained to hold a dog securely and safely, which makes the experience safer for you, the dog, and the vet. You can take hold of your dog again once the vaccine has been administered.
4. Give your dog an easy day afterward
It's normal for a dog to experience a little stiffness and soreness after a vaccine. This is just caused by the immune system reacting to the vaccine, and also by the fact that the vaccine does make a puncture in the muscle. Don't take your dog for a strenuous walk, take them to the dog park, or expect a lot from them for a day or two after the vaccines.
If you have any other questions about having your mature dog vaccinated, don't be afraid to ask the vet. They're there to help. Make an appointment at an animal hospital to get started.
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