For Your Puppy's Health Don't Just Choose Any Vet For Dogs

Part of being a responsible puppy owner is bringing your puppy to a veterinarian for regular check-ups. But don't just pick any vet for dogs out of the yellow pages or the internet. You must ensure that the pet doctor you choose is someone you can trust. After all, he will be in charge of your furry little puppy's medical needs.

Finding a dog vet

If you don't have a vet in mind, here are some ideas on how to find a vet:

1. Ask the breeder or ask relatives, friends, and neighbors who are longtime pet owners for recommendations. The best source of information would be someone who knows the veterinarian for a number of years.

2. Call your local Humane Society for a list of their preferred or affiliated veterinarians.

3. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce for a list of available veterinarians near you.

4. Search for veterinary clinics in your area through the internet. Check for reviews.

Guidelines in choosing a vet or clinic for your puppy

You and your vet should work as a team in making sure your puppy grows up healthy. Your vet should share your same level of concern and care for your puppy. Once you have a vet in mind, here are some guidelines in determining whether to engage his services for your puppy:

1. Find out if the veterinarian is affiliated with the local humane society and is a member of a professional organization.

2. Visit the veterinary clinic and request for a tour of the facilities. Ask yourself the following questions:

Is the vibe of the clinic happy, relaxed and dog friendly?

Is the place clean, dry, comfortable and odor free?

Is the staff friendly and ready to answer any of your questions? Do you see more than one staff? Ask how many vets are on-duty at one time.

Do they handle all types of dogs? Some vets may be uncomfortable with larger, more 'aggressive' breeds.

3. Observe how the vet and the staff interact with the pets and their owners. They should take a keen interest on both the animal and the owner. Do they ask the right questions and answer in terms that you can relate to?

4. Ask what services they offer apart from check-ups and vaccinations. Some pet doctors specialize in certain surgeries and other medical conditions.

5. Check if the clinic has laboratory, x-ray and dental facilities. Not all veterinary clinics offer this service.

6. Find out their clinic hours. Medical emergencies can happy anytime of the day or week. Knowing that the animal clinic is open 24/7 will surely give you peace of mind. If the facility is not open 24 hours, find out if the doctor is on-call for emergencies.

7. Ask what the rates are for check-ups, vaccinations and other procedures. Find out if they have payment plans as well. It is no use going to a medical clinic that you cannot afford.

8. Ask to speak to the vet. A good vet is someone who is willing to explain what treatments and procedures they provide. By having a one-on-one conversation with the doctor, you will already be able to gauge how concerned he or she is by the answers and by the questions he asks you. Is he easy to talk to? Does she make you feel comfortable? Do you feel that he or she is truly interested in you and your pet?

Choosing a vet for your new puppy is like choosing a doctor for you or a family member. You would always want the best medical professional whose fees are within your budget. The vet will handle all the health needs of your puppy. He is also the person to go to for any medical emergencies concerning your new pal. As such, your choice of vet for dogs can determine whether your puppy's health and medical needs will be properly addressed.

Look for a pet doctor who will treat you and your pup as individuals and not simply part of their pool of customers. He or she does not have to be Dr. Doolittle, but should treat your pet the way she would treat his own.

Bob Leland is a puppy training expert. For more great tips on choosing a vet for dogs, and easy methods of puppy training visit http://www.lovingtouchpuppytraining.com.