How To Train Your Puppy For The Vet
Puppies have a lot to learn, and the early stages of training a young dog can be vital for their future development. Starting a young dog on a puppy training program that will help them get used to going to the vet regularly is a vital part of this process--and it's something that will help to keep your dog healthy and happy for the rest of their life. So what will you need to focus on to help a puppy's vet visit go like a dream?
Teach them that the veterinary clinic can be a fun, safe place to visit
It's an old joke that all dogs are scared of the vet, but in reality, everyone's life is easier if you don't let that be the case. Add your local vet clinic onto some of your daily walks and take your puppy in to get weighed and fussed from time to time! Everyone will be pleased to see them, you'll be better able to track their growth, and they'll start associating the vet with getting treats and positive attention.
Get them used to having their paws and ears handled
Not all dogs are innately okay with having their paws and ears handled, particularly not by a stranger who is trying to examine them and might have to be a little firm with their touches. Ear infections and claw issues are both common concerns in pet dogs, so it's important that you start desensitising them to this handling from the very first day they come home to you. The easiest way of doing this is just by touching their paws and ears a lot as part of your fun, gentle play and affection together! If they seem reticent, you can reward them with a treat every time they let you check--but many young puppies will accept this without a second's thought and seamlessly build a habit that will help them out all through their lives.
Focus on jumping and pulling training before their health depends on it
It's better if a dog doesn't pull on the lead or jump up at new friends. Sometimes it seems easier to let those behaviours slide, though--if they're not causing an immediate problem, they can feel ultimately harmless. This situation changes radically, however, when your dog is injured or has just had surgery. This includes routine spay and neuter operations, particularly for female dogs. Even if you invite them to get a little boisterous sometimes, knowing you can reliably keep them calm when necessary is a vital part of training any pooch.
For more information, consider taking your dog to a local puppy training program.