Dog Friendly Vet Clinics

The Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme is a collaborative project between Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association.

Dog Friendly Clinics

Aim of the scheme

The aim of our Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme is to make the provision of veterinary care the most comfortable experience possible for everyone involved. Here you’ll find information to help your team create a dog-friendly clinic.

What the scheme covers:

  • an introduction to species-typical behaviour and communication
  • advice for implementing behavioural knowledge in the veterinary context
  • guidance on preparing the clinical environment to reduce stress and promote positive experiences
  • tools to help enhance the client-clinic bond through positive patient, owner, and clinic interactions.

An introduction to canine behaviour

Discover dog behaviour, common misconceptions around dominance and guilt and an overview of how dogs learn. The more we understand about canine behaviour, the better placed we are to appreciate the effect of our interactions with dogs, how we respond to their behaviour and how we communicate with them.

Why join the Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme?
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Why join the Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme?
An overview of canine communication
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
An overview of canine communication
An overview of canine development
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
An overview of canine development
An overview of dogs' behaviour
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
An overview of dogs' behaviour
How dogs learn – a brief overview
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
How dogs learn – a brief overview
Aggressive behaviour
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Aggressive behaviour
Common misconceptions regarding dog behaviour
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Common misconceptions regardin...

Health, pain and behaviour

Discover how pain and health conditions can be a contributing factor to a dog's behaviour, and learn about behavioural first aid.

How does pain affect behaviour?
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
How does pain affect behaviour?
Behavioural first aid
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Behavioural first aid

Behaviour and the veterinary environment

Discover the impact of the veterinary environment on dog behaviour, stress responses and situation stacking.

Impact of the veterinary environment on behaviour
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Impact of the veterinary environment on behavi...
The acute and chronic stress response
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
The acute and chronic stress response
Situation stacking
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Situation stacking

Creating a dog friendly clinic

From staff training to dog handling and preparing the clinic environment, there are many factors to consider when trying to create a dog-friendly vet clinic. 
 

Staff training, CPD and clinical governance
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Staff training, CPD and clinical governance
Preparation of the clinic environment
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Preparation of the clinic environment
Handling of dogs during consultations
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Handling of dogs during consultations
Hospitalisation
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Hospitalisation
Puppy events within veterinary clinics
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Puppy events within veterinary clinics
Desensitisation and counter-conditioning
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Desensitisation and counter-conditioning
Muzzle training appointments
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Muzzle training appointments

Helping dog owners prepare for vet visits

From habituation and socialisation to counter-conditioning and muzzle training, discover how you can ensure dog owners are preparing their dog for vet visits.

Habituation and socialisation appointments for puppies
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Habituation and socialisation ...

Practical resources

Discover our practical guides, resources and frameworks.

Behavioural referrals
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Behavioural referrals
Framework for behavioural consultation
Dog Friendly Vet Clinics
Framework for behavioural consultation

Join the Dog Friendly Clinic scheme

Join the Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme today and become part of the behaviour-centred veterinary community.

Request an application pack for an individual membership

Is your Clinic ready to become a registered Dog Friendly Clinic?

Register your interest today and we'll send you an application pack with information about the criteria your clinic needs to meet to become part of the scheme.

Disclaimer notice: The advice given on this website [in these materials] is intended for your general information only and should not be relied upon as specific advice for any veterinary practice or clinic. Each veterinary practice or clinic will be unique in its physical environment and each dog attending the veterinary practice or clinic will have specific needs and requirements, which the veterinary practice or clinic is solely responsible for. Unless prohibited by law, Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association do not accept liability to any person veterinary practice or clinic relating to the use of this information.