Preparing your puppy for the visit

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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.

Getting your kitten to the hospital does not need to be a stressful event!  Prepare early to make it a good experience for all!

If you have had cats before, you probably know that they are creatures of habit and do not always take to sudden changes, especially in their environment.  That is why we recommend familiarizing kittens with the carrier early!  Bring the carrier out a week bore you intend to use it.  Make it inviting by placing favorite treats and toys inside.  

When choosing a carrier, consider security, ventilation, and accessibiity.  Many cats find comfort in their carrier and many times, we can complete the exam in the base of the carrier!  This strategy is one of many that we attribute to being a Feline Friendly Practice.

Did you know that we carry specific pheromones that can be sprayed on the blankets in the carrier prior to the visit?  These synthetic pheromones have a calming affect on our feline friends.