Bonding with your client and their new pet

New pet owners and even second and third time pet owners can benefit from bonding advice; however, it’s important for veterinarians to bond with clients and their pets as well. Consider these tips for bonding with your client:

1. Same veterinarian every time. This might be a difficult one, but it is crucial for bonding. When you work exclusively with a client, you establish trust and have a better understanding of the pet’s problems and medical history.
2. Keep technicians and doctors together. This allows your client to build a relationship with you and your team.
3. Assign callbacks to the technicians who worked with the client. This adds another personal touch that forms trust and promotes bonding.

You, the veterinarian, are the front line of pet advice

Sometimes becoming a pet owner is a well-planned adventure, and sometimes the sweet face of a puppy or kitten steals your heart unexpectedly. For many new pet owners, expectations can be the enemy. Starting out with reasonable expectations drastically lowers the chances of pet surrender.

As the front line for animal care, your opinion will most likely be the most valuable to a new pet owner. Consider the following bonding tips when advising new clients:

1. Start training early. Training classes are a great way to bond with a new pet. For puppies in particular, early training, before the puppy reaches 12 to 16 weeks old, allows for the socialization and positive-reinforcement training that leads to well-adjusted older dogs. Statistically, owners with pets that complete training courses are much more likely to keep their pets. 
2. Quality time is crucial. Before your cat or dog turns four months old, make sure they experience plenty of time not just with you but also with many other people. Kittens and puppies that aren’t held or socialized in the early stages of growth tend to be more fearful for the rest of their lives.
3. Diet and exercise! Keep your pet healthy with a proper diet (no human food!) and exercise. Daily walks are a great way to bond with your pet while keeping you both healthy.
4. Know your pet’s breed. Research your animal and learn what they need to keep them mentally and physically healthy.

Introducing a new pet to the household

Inevitably you will encounter questions about introducing new pets to other furry family members. Every situation is unique, and every owner has an idea of how his or her resident pets might react or relate to their new pets.

New kittens should be isolated at first. Owners should bond with new kittens before introducing them to the household in order to form trust. Puppies adjust differently. Owners should give them a tour of the house and the yard to show them where the food is and where they will sleep. Once they have adjusted to new surroundings, make the introductions. The key is taking it slow. Reassure your clients that initial reactions may not be indication of a permanent relationship between new and resident pets. They need time to adjust, and owners need simply to be patient, understanding, and aware. This is an exciting time for both new and experienced owners, and a veterinarian plays a vital role in the transition.

Here you can access a position paper released by The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior on how the benefits of early training greatly outweigh the risks of socialization before the first round of shots are administered.

The American Veterinary Medical Association offers resources and advice for veterinarians to share with new clients.

Contact your Covetrus representative for more information at 855.724.3461 or online.

Sources:

http://todaysveterinarypractice.navc.com/practice-building-building-strong-relationships-among-the-veterinary-team-clients-patients/

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/your-new-pet-when-its-not-love-at-first-sight

http://www.akc.org/dog-owners/responsible-dog-ownership/

https://www.today.com/pets/uh-oh-10-mistakes-new-pet-owners-make-2D80556030

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/early-puppy-socialization-classes-weighing-risks-vs-benefits

http://www.easelnj.org/cms/index.php?page=introducing-a-kitten-to-your-other-pet-s

http://www.akc.org/content/dog-care/articles/how-to-introduce-your-puppy-to-his-new-home/