Canine Behavior

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When you bring your new puppy in for their first exam, bring them in hungry because we lead with treats!

Treats on the scale…
Treats in the exam room…

Special treats when we give vaccines!

We want every dog to love to visit us as much as we love to see them, especially puppies!

The puppy socialization period lasts from 3 weeks to 3 months of age. This is when puppies are exploring their environment and learning what is safe. this is a crucial time for them to be exposed to different people and important places.

During this time, puppies need to learn that the veterinary hospital is a normal part of their routine.

They also need their vital vaccines during this time to keep them safe as they interact with their new world.

Within 5 minutes, a puppy can learn who has the treats and where to sit to get them!

To aid in socializing your puppy during their visits, feel free to bring their favorite toy so we can have a play session while discussing vaccines and preventative care.

We’ll also often borrow your puppy to give them a tour of our treatment area so they can meet all the new people and hear and see all the beeping and activity in a safe, relaxed way.

For the more nervous puppies, we take a little more time to ease them into our world.

For theses puppies, we may recommend free “happy visits”. You bring them in hungry and we do nothing but give them attention and treats so they can see that we love them and want to be friends.

We may also offer to have them wear a bandanna sprayed with Adaptil – a happy, calming pheromone spray.

Your puppy’s social development is almost as important as physical health. Socialization is vital. We have excellent local facilities that offer puppy , socialization and agility classes. (Socialization classes can be a great outlet for all that energy!)

You are welcome to bring dogs to play in our side yard at any time. Just make sure their vaccines are current and they are taking their monthly preventatives.

Canine Calming Cocktail is a combination of medications that when used alone or in combination with each other can relax your anxious, fearful or aggressive dog so that we can examine them in a safe manner without stressing them out as well.

We might use one or a combination of Acepromazine, Gabapentin and Trazodone.

Acepromazine is a tranquilizer.

Gabapentin is generally used to manage chronic pain, but has a temporary sedation affect and decreases anxiety.

Trazodone works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which means less anxiety and a happier attitude.

When given together, sometimes the most nervous dogs will actually enjoy their Vet visit!

With this combination of medications, you might notice that your dog is more sleepy and a little slow. These side effects are expected.