Why did the dog cross the road?
To avoid his vet visit!
There is little in the world of pet parenting that causes more stress than a dog that hates going to the vet. It not only causes stress for the dogs and their humans, but it can also prevent the delivery of quality care. If you do have a dog that hates medical care, you may be all too familiar with contemplating if what is happening with your best friend is worth the stress of literally dragging them into the vet office.
Some dogs do their best Scooby Doo impression, scrambling on the slippery floor, to try and get back out the door. Others may bark the minute they get in or growl or snap once the medical handling starts. Or maybe you have a dog that walks into the exam room and just sits, really still, looking sad, but does not move. The doctor and tech are able to do everything they need without the dog some much as blinking.
All three of these examples are dogs struggling with their exams. But what can you do?
Drum roll, please... The answer is COOPERATIVE CARE. We have combined years of experience with Fear-Free certifications and Low-Stress Handling methodologies to bring you a comprehensive approach to better vet visits.
How we can help
Prepared Puppies
Ages 8 to 24 weeks - Learning How to Handle Veterinary Handling
Puppies are primed to gather information about the world. This information informs their ability to assess safe vs. dangerous events. In the first 16 weeks (~4 months) of their life, you have a literal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach your puppy that the world is a happy, low stress place full of fun and positive outcomes. This program is designed to help puppies develop a positive emotional response to veterinary handling through a fear-free and low-stress cooperative care plan.
Note: This program is for puppies who exhibit a healthy response to new things. This means they are mostly curious, recover from fear responses quickly, and have not shown any aggressive behaviors. If you have a puppy that seems to be more afraid, avoiding new things, hiding, shaking, or trying to escape situations, please let us know. We can help with a Specialized Socialization Program.
OUTLINE & COSTS
This program includes: 3 sessions at Cooperation Canine, The Clinic in our Cooperative Care Suite
Week one
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Introduction to space
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Conditioning positive emotional responses (+CER) to presentation of all scopes, odors, handling, etc
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Level 1 handling - petting and pausing
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Ears, feet, belly, tail, etc.
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Choice/Consent/Control
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Homework - Happy Visit to the vet
Week two
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Walking on to scale and holding for 10 seconds
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Engagement with scopes and mock syringes
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Level 2 handling - Pressure/lift, tail lift, ear flip, lips touch/lift
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Choice/Consent/Control
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Victory Visit to the vet
Week three
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Stand, chin rest
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Slightly more pointed mock syringe
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Level 3 handling - Address any discomforts
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Actual visit to the vet
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Advocation - When to stop the appointment if needed
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Format
(3) 1-hour sessions in The Clinic with a certified professional dog trainer or certified behavior consultant
Deliverables
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Each session will be recorded and posted to your dog’s folder
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Notes and homework specific to your puppy
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Additional handouts
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A report card to take to your vet with your puppy’s progress
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Unlimited email and text support over the course of the program
TOTAL COST - $475
Adolescent & Adult Dogs
This is a very individual issue. It is likely that your dog may be struggling with conditioned emotional responses that are connected to fear and anxiety, even if situational. This will require an assessment of the current situation in order for us to prepare a plan for your dog. Once the assessment is complete, you will recieve a written summary and an outline of work sessions. All sessions are private, one-on-one, and will take place in The Clinic in order to utilize the Cooperative Care Suite.
SESSION ONE/ASSESSMENT
60-minutes - History of vet issues and functional assessment, identify triggers, discuss processes and procedures to affect change. We will determine what level of fear and stress your dog is experiencing:
Moderate Fear
Stress signaling, avoidance, escape - free of growling and aggressive behaviors
Increased Fear
All of the above plus growling, teeth bearing, air snapping - vet muzzles as a precaution, or shutting down all behavior
Extreme Fear and/or Phobia
Barking, growling, snapping, snarling, bite history, or shutting down all behavior (learned helplessness)
Work Sessions
60-minutes - Depending on the issues and levels of emotion at play, we can estimate the works sessions for you
COST
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Assessment + Single Work Session - $395
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Assessment + Package of Three Work Sessions - $695
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Assessment + Package of Six Work Sessions - $1195
What Our Clients Have To Say
How To Contact Us
NO RUSH
Send us an email
Got questions? We'll fetch you a response in 72 hours—no need to bark twice!
Snail mail:
211 Waseca Ave. Barrington, RI 02806
Email:
Call or text:
401-889-DOGS (3647)