The waiting area of most veterinary hospitals is a scary place for most animals. Since dogs sweat through their feet, they often leave powerful scents that convey their fear to others. Any dog, even a young puppy, will notice these scents, and if his experience is not all that pleasant he will begin to associate the veterinary environment with unpleasant experiences. The best way to be sure that your dog always has a good experience is to go prepared and make it fun. Bring your best treats or a favorite toy, and be generous with your rewards.

A very cute fifteen-week-old female puppy adores her owners.

Here are some tips for making sure that your dog has the most positive experience possible:

• Practice handling your dog's mouth, feet, ears, tail, and body on a daily basis.

• Teach your dog to walk on all kinds of surfaces so the slippery floors aren't so scary.

• Introduce your dog to lots of other dogs on a regular basis and make sure he has great social skills.

• Teach your dog to accept restraint without fighting you.

• Reward your dog frequently in the waiting area for anything he does right.

• Reward your dog for meeting new people by letting the new person feed him special treats.

• Be calm and relaxed yourself so your dog will feel safe.

• Make a list of problems or questions so you can concentrate on your dog and not remembering what you wanted to ask the vet.

• Tell the staff outright if your dog is nervous or has the potential to bite so they can keep everyone safe.

• Visit the vet on a regular basis and practice some obedience in the waiting room with really yummy treats.

• Drop by and have your dog weighed (let the staff do it and have them use awesome treats).

With a little training and some practice, your dog will look forward to going to the veterinarian. Visiting on a regular basis even when your dog is not scheduled for a checkup may make his future visits all that much more enjoyable. You can do a lot to prepare your Golden for all his visits to the vet by making sure that he has the coping skills and experience to get through his appointment.