The trick to getting dogs and children into the car for their medical appointments is to not let them know where you are going. This method is surprisingly effective for both groups of small creatures, although you will have to vary your deceit from time to time to prevent them from figuring out your devious scheme.
For instance, if the only time the dog goes in the car is to visit the vet, you might be in trouble. This is why you should take your dog on long rides through the country in summer with the windows open. Your pooch will then associate the car with gentle breezes and flapping tongues. “C’mere (gender pronoun),” you will then say, “let’s go for a ride! And so your pet will pounce into the passenger seat of your Prius and you can deposit them at the vet with diabolical ease.
Similarly, if your child needs to go get blood drawn at the hospital for the millionth time, you should never tell them that this is what you are going to do. I’m not saying lie to your child. When they ask where you are going, do not say “Disney World.” But instead you can say “out.” Or you could reply “on an adventure.” Look, the longer they know what is going to happen, the longer they are going to be upset. Do you want your child to be upset? Would you rather have an meltdown for 30 minutes? Or 5 minutes? I thought so. So you have to trick them into the car. It’s for their own good.
Perhaps you are going to get donuts after the doctor visit? In this case, you can legitimately say “We’re going out to get donuts, with one quick stop first.” This sounds much more appealing, doesn’t it? With dogs and kids both, it is all about the spin. Just make sure to also get donuts on other occasions or else your kid will figure out that “donuts” is code for “stabbing.”
I hope your children do not need frequent hospital visits, and I hope your pets’ shots are all up to date, but there may come a time that you need to get one or more of these items off to an appointment that they are not excited about. In this case, the element of surprise is your best friend. I would advise you to use it liberally. Just know that if I am ever driving you somewhere and need to make a quick stop first, I’m not guaranteeing anything for you either.