Health is a top priority for pet parents—and rightfully so! One of the first things you do after bringing a puppy home is schedule a vet visit. However, while you understand the importance of these appointments, your dog doesn’t. What they remember are the strange smells, unfamiliar hands, and possibly uncomfortable procedures.
Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can ensure your puppy has positive experiences with both vets and groomers, setting them up for a lifetime of stress-free visits.
Get Your Puppy Comfortable with Handling
Before your pup even steps into a clinic or grooming salon, you should practice handling exercises at home. This will help them become more comfortable with the types of touches and movements they will experience during their appointments.
Handling Exercises
Set up a calm environment – Sit against a wall or couch with some kibble or treats nearby.
Position your puppy – Place them on their back between your legs. If they resist, keep them in a sitting or standing position.
Touch and reward – Gently touch different parts of their body (paws, ears, mouth, tail, underbelly). Apply light pressure, then immediately offer a treat—whether they resist or not.
Repeat in short sessions – Do three repetitions per spot, ensuring your pup stays relaxed before moving to another area.
💡 Pro Tip: If your puppy squirms, mouths your hand, or pulls away, slow down. Increase the frequency of treats and lessen the intensity of your touch. If they refuse food, switch to something more enticing like chicken or cheese.
Bring the Positive Association to the Vet
Once your puppy is used to being handled, it’s time to bring that training to the actual vet visit.
How to Make Vet Visits Positive
✔ Bring high-value treats – Chicken, deli meat, or cheese can make the experience much more enjoyable.
✔ Treat through the exam – Ask the vet if you can reward your puppy while they are being handled. Give treats during difficult moments, like ear checks or nail trims.
✔ Watch for stress signals – If your puppy backs away, avoids eye contact, or shows “whale eye” (when the whites of their eyes are visible), increase treat frequency to help them relax.
✔ Reduce treats over time – Once your puppy starts associating the vet with a positive experience, you can slowly decrease the treats.
Socialization is Key
The more new environments and people your puppy experiences, the more confident they will be at the vet or groomer. Bringing to Beyond The Leash for supervised socialization can be a huge help in building confidence in your dog. They are able to meet new friends and work on proper socialization skills in order to build confidence! We also have a groomer AND vet on site to help them work through any fear they may have!
By consistently practicing handling exercises, making vet visits rewarding, and socializing your puppy early, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of stress-free appointments. With patience and positive reinforcement, your pup will not only tolerate but might even enjoy their vet and grooming visits!
Health is a top priority for pet parents—and rightfully so! One of the first things you do after bringing a puppy home is schedule a vet visit. However, while you understand the importance of these appointments, your dog doesn’t. What they remember are the strange smells, unfamiliar hands, and possibly uncomfortable procedures.
Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can ensure your puppy has positive experiences with both vets and groomers, setting them up for a lifetime of stress-free visits.
Get Your Puppy Comfortable with Handling
Before your pup even steps into a clinic or grooming salon, you should practice handling exercises at home. This will help them become more comfortable with the types of touches and movements they will experience during their appointments.
Handling Exercises
Set up a calm environment – Sit against a wall or couch with some kibble or treats nearby.
Position your puppy – Place them on their back between your legs. If they resist, keep them in a sitting or standing position.
Touch and reward – Gently touch different parts of their body (paws, ears, mouth, tail, underbelly). Apply light pressure, then immediately offer a treat—whether they resist or not.
Repeat in short sessions – Do three repetitions per spot, ensuring your pup stays relaxed before moving to another area.
💡 Pro Tip: If your puppy squirms, mouths your hand, or pulls away, slow down. Increase the frequency of treats and lessen the intensity of your touch. If they refuse food, switch to something more enticing like chicken or cheese.
Bring the Positive Association to the Vet
Once your puppy is used to being handled, it’s time to bring that training to the actual vet visit.
How to Make Vet Visits Positive
✔ Bring high-value treats – Chicken, deli meat, or cheese can make the experience much more enjoyable.
✔ Treat through the exam – Ask the vet if you can reward your puppy while they are being handled. Give treats during difficult moments, like ear checks or nail trims.
✔ Watch for stress signals – If your puppy backs away, avoids eye contact, or shows “whale eye” (when the whites of their eyes are visible), increase treat frequency to help them relax.
✔ Reduce treats over time – Once your puppy starts associating the vet with a positive experience, you can slowly decrease the treats.
Socialization is Key
The more new environments and people your puppy experiences, the more confident they will be at the vet or groomer. Bringing to Beyond The Leash for supervised socialization can be a huge help in building confidence in your dog. They are able to meet new friends and work on proper socialization skills in order to build confidence! We also have a groomer AND vet on site to help them work through any fear they may have!
By consistently practicing handling exercises, making vet visits rewarding, and socializing your puppy early, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of stress-free appointments. With patience and positive reinforcement, your pup will not only tolerate but might even enjoy their vet and grooming visits!
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