For most of us, taking a puppy to the vet is an exciting yet potentially traumatizing experience. Learning about our new pet is a valuable part of the ‘fit’ of the new four-legged family member yet there is both apprehension and expectancy about what may be revealed.

Then there is also how the puppy is going to react to the experience. Some puppies waltz into the vet clinic as if they own the place and never have an issue. Others, more frequently, react as though the vet is the anti-Christ and their life is over!

How do you ensure that taking a puppy to the vet is both a learning experience for you and a positive experience for you pup? Keep in mind this is probably not the pups first trip to the vet but at appointment, he would have been surrounded and comforted by his littermates and possibly his mother. It would have been an entirely different experience for the pup and now you must do everything you can to ensure that is appointment starts him off on the right paw for a lifetime of trips to the vet.

Prior to the Appointment

• A tired puppy is invariably a happy puppy so make sure you exercise him well right before the appointment. This also has the added benefit of allowing him time to urinate and defecate prior to being placed on a cold and scary examination table.
• Collect a small sample of feces to take with you as well as the vet will want to check for intestinal parasites such as microscopic worms, eggs, and larvae.
• If you have had prior dealings with your vet clinic, arrange to have a quick puppy visit before the actual appointment. This is a quick five minute appointment, involving the staff only, that includes a snuggle with the staff, standing on the exam table for a minute, maybe a quick look in his ears and the staff playing with his paws and tail while you feed him a ton of treats. Most clinics do this as a free service as it makes their job much easier when the actual appointment comes around. For a shy or  submissive puppy , it is suggested that one or two of these quick appointments are done between appointments as well.
• On the way to the vets, make sure your pup is buckled in or crated to ensure his safety.

At the Appointment

• Before you bring the puppy into the clinic, go in by yourself in case they want you to fill out any paperwork prior to the appointment. The reception staff should be aware that a puppy is coming in and have the reception area disinfected and safe. If other dogs are in the area, make sure they are healthy and not there to visit the vet because they are running a fever and suffering from unexplained  vomiting  and  diarrhea !
• Don’t forget your stool sample. The receptionist can start the test so that the vet can examine the sample while you are there, saving you a trip if medication or dewormers are required.
• Once the paperwork is done and the reception area is clear of any diseased dogs, carry your puppy in and either take him straight to the exam room or sit in reception with him in your arms (or in his crate!). This guarantees he is not going to pick up any bugs while at the clinic.
• Keep him occupied while you wait for the doctor by talking to him and feeding him treats.
• Watch for other people bringing in other dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, iguanas, or other four-legged critters. Remember that your puppy will pick up on the stress and anxiety from other dogs so if a freaked out adult Labrador comes in that is thrashing around and vocalizing, either ask to go into an exam room immediately or take your puppy back outside.
• Keep in mind that the doctor is going to exam ears, eyes, and mouth, take a rectal temperature, palpate his abdomen, and listen to his heart and lungs. Some vets will also manipulate joints to feel for deformities, examine paws, trim toe nails, and possibly take samples of fur, skin, ear wax, blood and other bodily fluids. If any part of the examination is cause for concern, he will not give the  vaccines  at that time.
• Most vets attempt to make the appointment as happy and relaxing as possible for both the pup and owner. They will give lots of treats and remember that they got into veterinary medicine in the first place because they love animals. Expect him to help you make the visit a positive experience.
• Once the vet is done, take your pup back to your car before paying the bill. Or, on a quiet day in the office, hand the pup over to one of the staff for some  socializing . No one can resist a puppy!
• Head home and expect the pup to sleep the rest of the day!

Taking a puppy to the vet does not have to be a stressful experience. Understanding what the appointment entails and how best to protect your pup from any trauma is the best way to ensure a positive experience for both of you!