Whining at the vet's?

Question

At the vet's office, my dog whines constantly and very loudly. He doesn't bark, nip, or lunge at people. He just whines. He's caused such a ructous that we've been asked to wait outside. How can I get him to stop?

He's often around other dogs, and he only does this at the vet's office. I don't know how to train him the command "quiet", since he's always quiet if not at the vet's.

Answer 1

Some dogs just do that - particularly Miniature Schnauzers & German Shepherds! I think it is equivalant ot an anxiety attack in people, and I never knew anyone that could ever get it stopped. If it is a small office, I know it would get hard to hear people on the phone sometimes - which may be why they ask you to wait outside.

We had one woman that bought her dog in every day for a few minutes for a week or two before for an appointment to lessen his anxiety, & that helped him some. But he was not a 'whiner', just a 'shaker'. But you could try desensitizing him like that - most vets would not mind.

p.s. It is best to take him in & ignore him when he whines - if you constantly reassure him, as some have suggested, you only reinforce the negative behavior!That's how dog's minds work, they take the extra attention as a reward.

Answer 2

Whining in that situation is probably anxiety, stop by the vets office when ever you can. go in, sit down as you would normally. Give your dog a few treats or play with him for a minute or 2 and then leave. Its called counter conditioning.

Answer 3

You can get a bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health foods store for about $16. You shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on your dog's fur between his ears. Put it on six or more times as you wait to see the vet and if you can when you are with him for an exam or whatever.

It will definitely help to relieve his stress. Many veterinarians use it in their practice. It cannot harm him in any way.

Answer 4

He's just scared. Dogs that come to our clinic do that all the time. They shake, whine, get hyper, even jump up on their owners laps while waiting.

Since he gets so stressed, it's best that when you go there to just wait outside with him. Announce yourself to the receptionist and tell her you'll be waiting outside. Get to your appointment on time (instead of 1/2 hour earlier so he has to wait that much longer).

Since he can't cry like a child would at the doctor's office, he's whining. Just comfort him and don't worry about it. It's very common.

Answer 5

Sorry, but I'd whine too if I had to go through what they do! Try to give your dog plenty of attention and treats so that he relates the trip with a little fun and a few treats. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it. It's like a child going to the doctor: they don't like it but they have to do it. Besides, what's a little noise?

Answer 6

a lot of dogs do that when they are at the vets because usually they associate the vets with pain and needles and maybe hes just nervous my old dog used to hate going out to the vets.
I don't think its anything to worry about.

Answer 7

He's just scared.It's like going to the doctor's office with a little kid sometimes.They can sense something isn't right no matter what you tell them lol.
I can't believe they asked you to wait outside though.I mean..you would think they would expect animals to do that.

Answer 8

Give him treats at the vet that way he associates being at the vets with food!

Answer 9

well this could be b/c he smells other animals and may not like it.....or just knows where he's at....but if u can get him to be quiet for a split second tell him good boy and give him a treat...that way he knows he needs to be quiet but also that everything will be ok!!!!!!

Answer 10

He is picking up on the tension from other pets and their owners. It makes him nervous.