puppy socialization: puppy's first vet visit
Vet visits are stressful for many dogs. Being placed on strange surfaces and touched all over your body with strange objects can be unnatural and frightening. However, a vet visit doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience! By getting your puppy comfortable with what might happen at the vet before the first visit, you can help minimize those fears and have a profound impact on how your puppy views vet visits!
In this video, KPA CTP Shelly Wood is helping her newly-adopted puppy, Castor, prepare for his first vet visit. To help Castor become familiar with stepping on a scale or being placed on an exam table, Shelly is rewarding Castor for coming up onto a platform. Next, she practices touching Castor on different parts of the puppy’s body, focusing on the areas that a veterinarian would handle (ears, tail, legs). Shelly practices touching Castor with her hands as well as with an object (she uses a large spoon). Each time Castor accepts the touch, Shelly resets the behavior by tossing the treat off the platform. Notice how Castor climbs back onto the platform eagerly after each repetition. This happy puppy is learning that being touched in all kinds of ways by cold, shiny objects is not only fine, but fun!
Interested in growing your business by offering puppy classes? Karen Pryor Academy offers a curriculum focused on growing your business and running a successful puppy course. Set up your class for success by introducing novel stimuli, different surfaces, and noises. The KPA curriculum includes essential tips on format, organization, and management techniques! Learn more about KPA's Puppy Start Right for Instructors course.
Happy Training!
GET PUPPIES AND GUARDIANS OFF TO THE RIGHT START
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