My Dog's Doc Was My Doc, Too!

There were porcupines in the bush up in Elliot Lake and my dog Buff couldn't resist chasing them every chance he got. There was more than one time he came home with a mouth full of quills. It takes a special kind of association between man and dog to take off those quills.

My Dad taught all of us including the dog not to panic when you got hurt. A thrashing dog or thrashing kid is hard to doctor.

Train Table For Kids

When your puppy goes to the vet for the first time, stay calm, don't make this seem like a big deal. I taught my dogs and my kids the same way. Not with a leash or a command but with a form of advice. In situations where there was danger I all the time suggest "pay attention". Both dog and children learn to be attentive and obedient in the same way. On the monkey bars, on a path in the woods or on the doctor's table I suggest "pay attention" and trust my suggest will be followed.

When they sense danger they look to you. If you stay calm they have a great chance to follow. When you program them with a command they followed in the past and were safe they have an sense they can reveal to.

When I say "pay attention" my dog knows I sense danger. Any command that follows need to be taken seriously. No matter what happens next we cope it together. When the danger is past I let her know and tell her how proud I am of her.

Training your dog isn't the only accountability you have to him; you also need to keep him safe. One way to do that is to make sure he has a good doctor. This is leading not only for his every year checkup and shots, but for those times when things go wrong. If he is hurt he needs to be in hands he trusts.

If at all potential don't turn vets on your dog. They come to be accustomed to one man handling them and it is best for them if this continues. While your training time, plan to teach your dog to lay down and stay on a table as well as on the floor, no, don't use the kitchen table for this, or he may end up in the middle of your dinner. When dogs go to the vet for the first time, they can come to be anxious, especially if you are anxious, they will pick up on your anxiety. Having them trained to lie down and stay will be a big benefit.

My Dog's Doc Was My Doc, Too!