Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Owner reports of canine aggression are more consistently associated with fearful dogs and poor owner education rather than with any specific breed or sex [ 17 ]. Nevertheless, more recently, border collies have been found to have moderate behavioural impairment across the board [ 18 ]. Owners can also have an impact on their dog ' s behaviour: a small study by Helsly et al. [ 19 ] describes how some canine stress-related behaviours and emotional states are associated with increased eye contact with their owners. For this reason, minimal eye contact from the VN should be practised at the start of the desensitisation course.
Although the published evidence supporting desensitisation is largely based on studies conducted outside the UK, the underlying principles are relevant to UK veterinary practice. The following clinical audit illustrates how these techniques have been implemented in the Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice, a first-opinion practice in the UK, at which the author works.
Clinical audit
Over a 2-year period, between 2021 and 2023, 43 canine patients were enrolled in desensitisation clinics run at the author ' s practice. The breeds varied quite widely, but the most common were crossbreeds, cocker spaniels, labradors and border collies. Experiencing a variety of nervous dogs allows the veterinary professional to develop their desensitisation technique. Building trust is an important part of working successfully with patients during this process.
The majority of dogs responded well to desensitisation training( Figure 2). Of the 43 patients, 29 were able to successfully develop trust during the desensitisation sessions. Interestingly, 16 of these patients had had a previous negative veterinary experience, including vaccination, emesis induction, treatment of ophthalmic disease or in-patient care. The other 13 patients that
successfully built trust had had no clear previous bad veterinary experience. The owners of four patients were advised to seek advice from a behaviourist, rather than continuing with the desensitisation sessions, due to other behavioural challenges. The remaining 10 patients did not develop trust as a result of the desensitisation sessions.
Conclusions
Offering desensitisation sessions does not require veterinary professionals to gain an additional qualification. An interest in improving the patient ' s experience, alongside an understanding of canine body language and behaviour, provides a strong foundation for establishing these clinics in practice. VNs are particularly well placed to lead desensitisation sessions, building relationships with patients and owners while allowing dogs to become gradually accustomed to the practice environment, handling and clinical procedures.
Recognising early signs of fear and stress and preventing patients from reaching their behavioural threshold can help reduce anxiety and avoid reinforcing negative associations with veterinary visits. Using positive reinforcement and adapting sessions to the individual dog ' s needs can help rebuild trust and create more positive experiences. The clinical audit presented in this article demonstrates that many dogs can successfully develop trust through desensitisation, including patients with previous negative veterinary experiences.
Desensitisation clinics will not be appropriate for every dog, and patients with wider behavioural concerns may require referral to a behaviourist. However, taking steps to improve each dog ' s experience, while educating and supporting the owner, can promote safer veterinary visits and strengthen the relationship between the practice, client and patient.
Figure 2. Outcomes of desensitisation clinics.
Volume 41( 5) • October 2026
47