A visit to the vet is a great way to socialize your Lab. He'll encounter new people, strange smells, yowling cats, and barking dogs. Strangers will handle him, which can be stressful for some dogs. There are plenty of ways you can help prepare your Lab for this new experience so that it's a happy one for him.

First, stay calm yourself. If your Lab senses that you're nervous about the visit, he'll pick up on your anxiety and reflect it himself. Project a calm, happy demeanor. If you've been examining your Lab at home by looking in his ears, examining his teeth and eyes, playing with his paws, and touching his tail and other parts of his body, he'll be more prepared for a veterinary exam. Have other members of the family examine him too, so that he's used to being touched by different people. Your veterinarian will be grateful that your dog is so easy to handle.

A well-socialized Lab walks into the veterinary office with a smile on his face and a wagging tail. To help ensure that your Lab enjoys visiting the vet, take him there early and often. Schedule a first visit just on a “getting-to-know-you” basis. The vet can examine your dog, but schedule shots for another time, so there's no painful association with that first office visit. Let staff members give your Lab a treat or two to seal the new friendship.