Both my dogs know when we are getting close to the exit for the vet. When our car goes on the exit ramp… well, they FREAK out and make their little noises and pace. We get out and I give them a few minutes to potty before going in to the vet.
They do pretty well going in-- although they pull pretty heavily on the leash. Both are constantly trying to pull towards the door to leave once we get inside.
There was one vet they both liked. And one vet that they both dislike. Well, I think Lexi is indifferent to the Dr. S. But Miles HATES him. They used to do okay when placed on the table...
Lexi will tolerate most shots. She resists the ones that go in the nose though. But she's never growled or given hackles. She just looks for me while the techs hold her. So I try to stand where she can see me. She gets her cookie and she's good to go. She's also very ready to leave.
Miles was okay the first couple times I took him to the vet. But he got wise to the shots and really doesn't like Dr. S. (we're switching soon, no worries) Dr. S has done blood draws and an eye surgery on him. I think he just knows Dr S = pain. Plus, I don't know about any of you guys, but I get allergy shots quite frequently. So many, that if the nurse puts the needle where one has already been before (pretty much every time now), it HURTS really badly. I know vets typically put the shots on the shoulders and bottoms-- I wonder if this could also happen to them... that sometimes it just hurts much worse than other times.
As for the change in attitude, Miles will growl ferociously (teeth beared and tongue activated) while muzzled and getting shots. As soon as he knows he's done and he gets down, he's completely back to normal. He takes he treat nicely and is back to his regular self. For my dogs, I think they know when they get the treat, everything is okay and there's nothing to worry about anymore.
They're certainly not bad dogs... And if it wasn't a common problem, they wouldn't have muzzles in each room.