Socializing with covid

[LusiDemers]

Hi, 

I’m getting a puppy, which will need A Lot of socializing. The first step will be meeting the vet. However, due to Covid we can’t get in the vets office. We need to call their office once e we get into the parking lot, then someone will come to get the pup.  How will I train him and give him a good vet experience if I can’t even get in the office with him? 

[Adrienne]

Hi there,

Welcome to the forums!

This COVID is sure putting a dent into all our good intentions in socializing our pups and doing what's best for them. Not all is lost though. You can jumpstart a good experience by practicing several weeks or days ahead in creating positive associations with being handled and preparing mock vet visits.

For instance, you can pretend to check his ears and feed a treat, check his paws and feed a treat, check his mouth and feed a treat. Rinse and repeat. You can then pretend to check his heart by placing a small cup around his chest area and feed a treat, and you can even pretend to give a shot by using an empty syringe with no needle and feed a treat. You can also put him on a table and have other family members practice these "mock vet visits." Look for happy anticipation. 

Then, to further up your chances of a good experience to the vet, you can perhaps try to find a veterinarian near you committed to the 'fear-free program." These practice and vets are committed  to ensuring your dog's emotional wellbeing during visits. In other words, they are specifically trained to handle fearful and stressed dogs and make vet visits less frightening. Hopefully there is one near you: https://fearfreepets.com/resources/directory/