Q: My dog is afraid of getting weighed when he goes in for his annual exam. What can I do?

A: Many dogs are anxious and fearful when asked to get up on the scale, often the first thing they are asked to do in the veterinary office. Whether it is the scale’s location, the activities happening nearby, or the scale itself, there are several ways to avoid causing this initial stress, allowing for a more relaxed appointment overall.

If your dog refuses to get on the scale, do not force them. Forcing a dog to interact with an object that frightens them creates unnecessary stress, escalates their fear, anxiety, and stress, and worsens their aversion to the scale in the future. Rough estimates of your dog’s weight can be made to provide prompt medical care.

If your dog is hesitant about the scale, try luring them with a treat trail or scatter, a lickable mat with peanut butter or cheese, or a favorite toy. If the scale is in a corner and can be moved, suggest moving it to the middle of the room to allow your dog to move freely around it. Metal scales are slippery and shiny, often causing dogs to scramble, so placing a bath mat, a yoga mat, or a blanket over the scale can help make it seem less novel and provide better traction.

Use patterns to ask your dog to put “paws up” or use targeting to move the dog closer to the scale. Some dogs may follow their person onto the scale, weigh both, and then subtract the human weight. There are many ways to build engagement and trust to obtain an accurate weight for your dog, but struggling to force them onto the scale is not one of them.