[Vivianne]

LakeLover,
My past rotty had a bad experience with her first vet. Tried to bite him at 6 months old while he administered a rabies shot. Ever since then, to the day she passed on, when ever we went to the vet I had her muzzled during examination time. She HATED it, but is served two purposes. It told my dog that it was time to be handled and it eased by vets fears so each visit went smooth as silk.
The vet wasn't nervous and did his job quickly and efficiently. If there were no shots involved during the vet visit the muzzle was not used and I insisted that because of her size the vet examine the dog on the floor nd not the table.
I always stood or knelt down in my dogs face. I was in this position to calm and support her during the visits. She was never bad with the vet unless I knew she was in pain or would experience pain once she was there.
Let's face it we can't explain to them "You're just going to feel a little prick and then it will all be over."