Here at Hollybank Vets, we understand that a puppy’s earliest experiences can shape how they feel about visiting the vet for the rest of their lives. That’s why we offer Puppy Club Clinics run by our amazing, friendly Veterinary Nurses to help your new puppy have a positive introduction and experience when visiting us.

What are Puppy Clubs?

Puppy Clubs are relaxed, enjoyable sessions designed to help socialise and gently desensitise your puppy to the veterinary environment. During these visits, your puppy will have a one to one consultation with a registered veterinary nurse where they will explore the consulting room, meet members of our team and become comfortable to the sights, smells and sounds they will encounter at the vets – all in a calm and relaxed environment.

Why is desensitisation important?

The veterinary practice can be overwhelming for many dogs as they are very unfamiliar, with lots of different noises, smells and people. Many dogs only visit the vet for vaccinations, neutering or if they are unwell which can add to the negative association.

Introducing your puppy to the practice early, with positive experiences can make a huge difference by helping them to:

• Build trust with our veterinary team
• Feel comfortable being handled by unfamiliar hands
• Become more confident and cooperative during an examination
• Reduce stress and anxiety for future visits

This helps make every visit to our practice more relaxed and less stressful for both you and your dog.

What happens during a puppy club?

During a puppy club session, our Veterinary nurses will:

• Introduce your puppy to the consulting rooms and equipment, such as the scales, stethoscope and examination table (size dependent!) at their own pace with lots of positivity and praise.
• Offer gentle, relaxed handling that mimics a veterinary examination
• Discuss important topics such as training, neutering, parasite control, feeding and socialisation.
• Answer any questions you may have about your new arrival
• Provide parasite treatment where required

We keep the puppy clubs as relaxed and positive as possible using plenty of treats, praise and patience to help your puppy feel safe and confident.

How often should my puppy attend?

We recommend bringing your puppy for a puppy club monthly until they are 6 months old, once they are fully vaccinated.

If you would like to book in, please give us a call on 01606 880890 or 01606717969