by Amelia Bines

Created on: January 06, 2009

Little causes as much anxiety as a trip to the vet; more so for humans that canines. As good dog owners, we worry that our beloved Snoopy will transform into a raging lunatic once inside those medical doors. We wonder if it is appropriate for our 160 pound Doberman to bounce over and say hello to each person that walks into the office. We catch ourselves repeating, "Oh, it's okay! He's friendly!" to each new face that presents itself. These types of experiences can raise the question,

"What is acceptable behavior at the vet's office?" More importantly, "How do I achieve acceptable behavior, once I know what it is?"

First things first - what are the basic manners that dogs and their owners should possess at the vet clinic? Let's do a quick rundown.

1. Entering the Building.

Many owners doom themselves to a hellish experience simply by entering the front doors of the veterinarian office incorrectly. A simple rule of dog walking: Whoever is in front, is in charge. Period. The simple task of asking your dog to sit outside, once you reach the front door, and becoming calm, is a great way to ease yourself into being your dogs leader inside the building.

Once your dog is sitting calmly, open the doors and enter first. Invite your dog in on your terms. If he tries to bolt through the doors like a maniac, simply lead him back outside, sit him down, and try again. It is worth the few minutes it might take to make him enter calmly. When he follows you inside, keep this great momentum going. Keep him at your side, on a short leash, the rest of the time you are at the vet.

2. Waiting to be Called.

Now that you're inside, many new challenges may await you! If you're lucky, your vet will have the slowest day of the year the day you show up for an appointment. If you are like the majority of dog owners, you will be waiting in a room full of other animals, children, and people of all ages.

In order for your dog to have good manners at the vet's office, he will have had to be taught basic manners at home with you. If you allow your pooch to jump up on people, lick children in the face, bark to say hello, or any other number of annoying, and sometimes dangerous, antics at home, chances are he will do it other places as well. Keeping the dog's leash short, keeping yourself calm, and quietly and quickly correcting any unwanted behaviors at the vet's office can be simple.

Let's review a few unwanted behaviors at the vet's office, so we dog owners will know what to watch for in our own pups.

*Barking

*Licking

*Jumping

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