Do you have a dog who could be considered aggressive? Perhaps he or she is lovely towards you and other familiar people, but the aggression comes out in the presence of other dogs and people. This can be a real challenge when it comes time to take your dog to the vet. Your dog needs regular vet care in order to ensure disease is prevented and detected early. Follow these tips in order to safely take an aggressive dog to the vet.

Look for a vet clinic that has a large waiting area.

Call around to a few vet clinics, or stop by in person to check out the facilities. Look for a clinic where the waiting area is large and spacious. This ensures that while you are waiting, you'll be able to keep your dog further away from other patients. An office that has separate waiting areas for dogs and cats is also a good choice, especially if your dog is known to be aggressive around cats.

Put a muzzle on your dog.

Some owners see muzzles as being uncomfortable and undesirable, and they certainly can be if you put them on too tightly or leave them on for too long. But there are soft, humane muzzles out there that will prevent your dog from biting without being overly uncomfortable or harsh. You're better safe than sorry, so put one on before you take your dog to the vet. This will protect you, the vet, and anyone else you encounter.

Have a friend come along to help.

If your dog becomes hard to lead or control when he or she gets aggressive, consider asking a friend to come along with you to the vet appointment. This person can help fill out paperwork, answer the vet's questions, and even open doors so you can focus on handling the dog.

Ask the vet about oral sedatives.

For large dogs, especially, you may want to talk to your vet about oral sedatives. You can administer a little bit just before you prepare to take your dog to the vet, and this will help calm your dog down and ease their aggression. There are over-the-counter calming supplements that you can also look into; ask your vet for recommendations.

Even aggressive dogs need to see the vet. The tips above will make this a more manageable endeavor. Hopefully, over time, this will become a less triggering experience for your dog.

For more tips, reach out to a company like South Seattle Veterinary Hospital.

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