Vet phobia is common among many dog breeds. Shih Tzus are a breed that is not immune to this phobia. In fact, you will have to go through a lot of hassle before taking your Shih Tzu to the vet. That’s mainly because Shih Tzus do not prefer to let a stranger pet him, hold his paws, check his teeth, and check his ear temperature. Here is a list of some effective tricks that you can keep in mind in order to eliminate vet phobia in your Shih Tzu.

1. Be prepared

From planning how early to leave your house to making sure your dog has eaten, drank, and gotten rest before his appointment to bringing a comforting toy to have during the examination, it's important to be prepared. Make sure that you have everything you need, including a pet carrier, leash, treats, and toys. If your dog has a favorite blanket, bring that too. Make sure that you have the directions to the vet, you have the date and time correct for your appointment, and that you arrive a little early to fill out any paperwork. Nothing is worse than sitting at a vet with a hungry dog, arriving late, or just being unprepared for your appointment. If you get stressed, your Shih Tzu can pick up on these feelings and may get more stressed out, too.

2. Bring food and water

If you have quite a long ride to the vet or you expect to be in the waiting room for quite some time, you'll want to make sure to bring food and water for your pet. You want to make sure that your pet is as comfortable as possible, and if he's hungry or thirsty, this can increase his anxiety and stress.

3. Choose a nearby vet

Shih Tzu dogs do not prefer long journeys. Therefore, you should look for a vet close to your home. You can easily do a search on the internet and look for a reputable vet in your neighborhood. Otherwise, your dog may get more anxious on a longer car ride, which can make your vet trip even more stressful.

4. Condition your Shih Tzu

Just like human beings, dogs get nervous when they do something new. Therefore, you should train your dog accordingly so that the journey to vet will not be a new experience. For example, if you have never taken your dog anywhere in the car, you can think about taking him on a trip to the park in your car. That way, riding in the car would not be a new experience for your Shih Tzu.

5. Inform the vet about the habits of your Shih Tzu

Before the vet begins to examine your Shih Tzu, let him or her know about your dog's phobias. If, for example, your pet doesn't like his ears to be touched or gets scared when restrained, you should let the vet know upfront. This way, the vet can take extra care to make sure your dog is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

How to deal with vet phobia in your Shih Tzu

2. Bring food and water