Fear and anxiety in the rehabilitation setting

New spaces, handling, equipment and unfamiliar people can create different experiences for different dogs. A history of difficult visits is useful information, not something an owner needs to apologise for. Avoid assuming what a dog will feel from breed, size or appearance.

Discuss the situations you know are difficult and how your dog usually responds. The rehabilitation team can consider these needs within the appointment and talk about whether additional clinical behaviour input is appropriate. A general guide cannot set an individual behaviour plan.

• Which situations or experiences should we explain before arrival?
• How will the environment and handling be considered?
• When might an individual clinical behaviour conversation be helpful?

Download the written guide and its questions as a plain text file to read or print. It is general owner education, rather than an individual home rehabilitation plan.