with my previous two dogs , i can't remember a visit where i did not either actually assist the vet in his work , or at the very least was present while whatever work was being performed .

with this latest injury to henry ( similar to what is depicted on "SARdog repair shop" ) the new owner of the clinic where i have always taken the dogs seems to have a " no clients in the room " policy .

as a first aider with some experience , i'm not useless in that setting . in addition , i feel like my presence probably aids in settling the patient and at the very least i want to see first hand what damage has been done to the dog so that i have a better idea of how to manage his recovery .

when i picked up the dog ,( 762 bux for a 15 minute soft tissue stitching ), i asked if that was indeed the policy , to which i got a pretty non-commital response .

i think i'm finding another vet , but am wondering , what have your experiences been like ?

to add , the former vet was a guy i've known since my first dogs' first visit some 20 years ago .

I would not go to a vet that didn't allow me in the room (and would think long and hard about one who discouraged it, but made an "exception" for me) I think it is extremely important to not only watch the quality of care your animal gets but to be able to ask questions about the injury/illness in the moment. Same goes for my kids- if I can't see what you are doing, then you probably have no business doing it.

Just my POV.

Some "pet dogs" like many spoiled horses behave better very the owner is not around because he is used to get away with "murder" in the presence of the owner.

I would not leave my dogs to the vet if I could not be in there or help.

Harley turn into a monster once they used their staff to hold him. They ask me to step in right away as they know us.

I do agree that most "spoiled rotten, baby" dogs do behave better when the owner is not present, so I completely understand a vet asking the owner to leave to see if it makes the procedure any easier.

I would NEVER go to a vet that didn't at least let me in the room before deciding whether or not I help or hinder the situation.

As the owner of working dogs, and well behaved ones at that, I KNOW that my dogs will behave better when I am there, and in fact its in the vets best interest that I am present to command my dog to "leave it" if they were to ever look at the vet in the wrong way.

I LOVE my current vet, and the vet I have used in Alaska. When we did my dogs health testing and prelims in Alaska, the vet let us know that we could do it all without sedation and could be present AS LONG as the dog did not give the vet a hard time. If they did, I had to leave and sedation would be brought out. Needless to say, we are now a clinic favorite and they know us well. Three sets of hip x-rays, two sets of elbow x-rays, heart exam and blood drawn for thyroid tests (from the jugular) ALL without sedation and all with me handling my dogs, maneuvering into necessary positions then a command to wait and switch off with the tech. Oh and small brag, only one xray shot needed per dog, no repeats, and my male actually placed his own hips, the vet just held his legs to stabilize. Vet said it was the best positioning he has gotten out of a dog sedated or awake!

My dogs never leave my side at the vets. I always handle my dogs for whatever has to be done. I even-led-apron up & go in to hold my dogs if they need an x-ray.

I am very proactive & controlling when it comes to my animals care. I have lived long enough to learn not to be too trusting when it comes to the well-being of my 4 legged charges.

I have a no nonsense attitude with my dogs when medical care is needed & they don't even think about acting up. No muzzle needed. They just sit there. PERIOD. So my vets have no problem with doing it my way. I love my vets!

LOL I actually think taking blood from the jugluar is much easier then a vein in the leg for the dog.

No reason in the world not to have a Forum member in the room during all procedures.

But- for insurance purposes, some practices won't let clients restrain . Most owners can't do a decent job. Some owners have been bitten, scratched, or really hurt.

Lots of lawsuits on that count, many more than those for malpractice relating to mismanagment of illness.

I'm currently trying to find a vet/groomer that will allow me to assist with Tanner.

How did you guys find vets that would allow you to restrain your dog?

Get another vet .. vets are replaceable .. dogs are not!

I call and ask right out, also when I was looking for a new vet when the one I loved moved too far, I ask other where they were going and if they could be there or help.

I don't get to see the same vet each time but they all have to let the client in as an observer or to help.

They also have a nice warning on Harley's file for them.

 Quote: Cathy Goessman

I'm currently trying to find a vet/groomer that will allow me to assist with Tanner.

How did you guys find vets that would allow you to restrain your dog?

When you are seeking a new vet, maybe having your dog with you on a short "interview" visit would allow the vet to see that you are a help and not a hindrance.

I'm thinking with Niomi that many owners would be the latter.

Like Anne, I stay with my dogs.

" I even-led-apron up & go in to hold my dogs if they need an x-ray. "

So do I.

A blanket policy such as the O.P. describes would not be OK for me. I couldn't work with that practice. I've proven myself over the years.