The Squeaky Toy Hack and Other Vet Visit Secrets: Dr. Adam Christman Answers Doodle Parent Questions (Part 2)

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Does your Doodle turn into a different dog the moment you pull into the vet parking lot?

In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Adam Christman, you'll learn the simple squeaky toy hack that flips vet visits forever. Plus the truth about why Doodles eat socks (and what to actually do about it), why pet insurance matters more than you think, and a real moment with Clark, Dr. Christman's own dog, mid-surgery during our recording.

Two members of the Doodle Pro® Honor Society also joined live for a Q&A: Natalie asked about the ear plucking powder and the sock-eating prevention tactics, and Heather shared her real story about Fiona's epilepsy and the regret of not getting pet insurance.

🎉 Happy update: Clark's IVDD surgery was a success. Follow Dr. Christman on TikTok and Instagram to see his recovery!

🛒 Shop the picks from the episode:

🎾 Vet Comfort Kit: thedoodlepro.com/shop/vetcomfort

🦻 Ear Care Essentials: thedoodlepro.com/shop/earcare

🦴 Joint and Hip Support: thedoodlepro.com/shop/joint

🌟 Want to be part of conversations like this? Join the Doodle Pro® Honor Society at thedoodlepro.com/society

Corinne Gearhart is the founder of The Doodle Pro®, a science-based training platform helping Doodle parents raise calmer, well-mannered dogs using positive reinforcement. She is the host of The Doodle Pro® Podcast and author of Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™.

📘 Get the Doodle Schedule Blueprint:
https://thedoodlepro.com/doodle-schedule-bonus/

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Transcript

Dr. Adam Christman: this is a calling from our heart and our soul and our DNA.

We love what we do so much. We love your dogs, we love your cats just as much as you do. So I know there could be discrepancies. I know emotions can run high End of life care is very hard. But just know that we really are with you and we feel what you're going through. And we are so proud and honored to cherish the human animal bond alongside you. 

Corinne Gearhart: does your doodle turn into a different dog?

The moment you pull into the vet parking lot, the shaking, the panting, the dread before you've even walked through the door. Today you're getting this simple, squeaky toy hack that flips the whole experience on its head, plus the daily habits that prevent the most common doodle health issues before they ever start.

This is part two of my Laugh Out Loud conversation with Dr. Adam Christman, chief Veterinary Officer for DVM 360. If you miss part one, you're gonna wanna circle back and [00:01:00] later in the episode, two members of the Doodle Pro Honors Society joined us live for a q and a. You don't wanna miss, I'm Corin Gerhart, certified dog trainer, doodle specialist, and author, the bestselling book Your doodles Daily Schedule Blueprint.

Let's get into it. 

Speaker 2: And the other thing too, if you have doodle puppies yeah, bring them in for what we used to call 'em like, just because visits, but just bring 'em in for fun not to, I 

Speaker: call 'em happy visits.

Speaker 2: Happy visits, get 'em used to get 'em on the scale. Say hi to this. Staff passed the puppy around. I'm a huge fan of squeaky toys. I think it goes a long way. Just when I was talking about redirecting from a treat to a toy. 

The practice that I was at before I, I went to DM 360, I, we had this huge treasure.

My staff was like, gonna. Get so upset with me, but we had this huge treasure chest of toys. Can you remember going to the dentist yourself and you would pick out like 

Speaker: the little thing? Yes. 

Speaker 2: You look forward to that. So I trained the puppies to come into the door. They would go through exam room number two, [00:02:00] go into the back kennel and just stare at the door to open it up so they can pick out a toy 

Speaker: that they 

Speaker 2: love.

Yeah, 

Speaker: they got to keep it. 

Speaker 2: Yes, of course. 

Speaker: How is this something I've never heard of? I love this 

Speaker 2: squeaky toys for the win. I say this all the time, they're not expensive. It goes a long way. And it's Instagramable. Everybody posts about it like, oh my god, right? And again, just positive reinforcement directing them to something fun that they love to do.

Here's a hack, Corinne. All right, here's another one, everybody. So if you have a visit that's a little wonky, like you don't know how they're gonna be or whatever, this is what you do. You take your dogs, you, it, it's an investment. You buy your dog's favorite squeaky toy, you don't even tell them or whatever toy that is.

Speaker: Yeah. It doesn't appear until 

Speaker 2: they don't get it. Yeah. You keep it in your purse, keep it either in like a bag or whatever, and you give it to the front desk to give to the doctor, to give to the dog because it's important for the handoff to happen between the veterinarian or the technician to give to the dog.

'cause then you just became their best friend. Get out of my head. How did you know that? I love this green tennis ball so much. [00:03:00]

Speaker: Just magic. 

Speaker 2: Amazing. So that's always a great tip to do if you know that they have that real sweet spot of a tour that they love mine. Whoever invented lamb chops deserves a Nobel Peace prize.

I, it's 

Speaker: just puppy crack. I don't un

Speaker 2: I don't get it. Thank goodness they're at TJ Maxx and all the places. They're right. Super cheap. I have to have one for all the holidays too. Each A lamb chop for Halloween, for Christmas, for, the new year Lamb chop. They have one for Easter now.

Yeah it's just nuts. But I would bring them around too, and I was like, oh, give them a lamb chop. And they were like shake. They just love it. So good little taste. 

Speaker: What a great hack, Adam. I could talk to you forever, as anyone could tell. I have to share one of our members in the Doodle Pearl Honors Society listening live.

Heather said elementary kids are still into the six seven. 

Speaker 2: Oh, 

Speaker: so you're cool with one group, right? Great. We'll take it. 

Before we wrap, I want to share something with you. What you're about to hear [00:04:00] is two members of the Doodle Pro Honors Society, getting their questions answered live by Dr. Christman. Natalie and Heather joined us during this recording and they got real time guidance. On things they've been worried about for weeks.

That's what happens inside the Honor Society. You get me, you get this community of incredibly thoughtful doodle parents and you get access to expert conversations like this one as they happen. Not after they're edited and polished. While they're unfolding. And if you wanna be part of the conversations like this, asking your own questions to me and the experts I bring in, in the honor, the Honor Society is where you belong.

You can find everything@thedoodlepro.com slash society. Now, let's hear what Natalie and Heather wanted to know. Natalie asked, and she's the superstar with Olive, [00:05:00] the the Oodle who got scared of grooming. Oh. She asked, what was the name of the powder for the ear hair?

Speaker 2: Yeah. Ne so it's Neo Preed F Powder, neomycin Poly something. It's got. Numbing, solution numbing stuff in there. So I wanna say it's like a tetracaine. 

But it's just a powder and I don't think it's a prec. Is it a prescription? No, 

Speaker: It's over the counter. 

Speaker 2: Over the counter. Okay. 

Speaker: Yeah. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. So neo powder, and then you get like the DURs, which are the hemostats, basically hemostats whatever.

It's to pull the hair out. But that's what I use. 

Speaker: And it can, you can use the hand for a little grip on the, out on the outer ears. But you're the pro. 

Speaker 2: Yeah, no, totally. You're right. Yeah. I can really, pluck it out that way through your hands. Yeah. 

Speaker: And it doesn't all have to be at once, as Dr.

Chrisman said, using the li mat. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. 

Speaker: And the trainer tip is, I just got random things on my desk here, but just as you were saying that they see the vet and then the toy comes out. 

Speaker 2: Yes. 

Speaker: If this is the hemostat or the powder. That comes out first, then the [00:06:00] li mat. 

Speaker 2: Gotcha. 

Speaker: So this predicts that is the trainer tip to help the reconditioning for behavior.

Speaker 2: On my desk is a dachs and pen of course. So the stylists might not. 

Speaker: I just had my readers. Yours is so much more fun. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. I use it. My readers too. Yeah. So good. I'm back. 

Speaker: Perfect. Natalie had one more question for us, 

Speaker 2: Natalie. 

Speaker: Yes. My vet says their office has PTSD from doodles, eating things like socks, and wanted to warn me is there anything to help train them not to do or do we just have to keep eyes out and socks out of reach? 

Speaker 2: Natalie, fantastic question. I forgot to cover this one, by the way, with our home run to Natalie for this one. Yes. So a couple things to this. So they have a propensity to eat, get into things without a doubt, foreign bodies, so socks, underwear, clothings, and whatnot.

So what a behaviorist would probably recommend is try to find something more counter like productive. In [00:07:00] other words, if they find if, and it's hard to do, but if it's a tug toy, if it's a Kong, for instance, that they love with peanut butter, you try to redirect them into something that's more acceptable for them to chew on versus consuming and getting into.

But 100% Natalie. I thank you for recommending this. You do have to be on top of it with the doodles about especially doing the laundry or the dryer putting clothes away. They are like Houdinis with them. Yes. And every owner has said this to me 'cause I've done exploratory surgeries on doodles.

Yeah. Every single one does. It happened so fast. Yes. 'cause you're staying on top of it. It's not like you're giving them with a platter and say, here, eat this sock. 

Speaker: Here's my dirty sock.

Speaker 2: Just bent over and leaned over to put the clothes away and they're like, holy smokes. I'm missing this sock.

And it's fast.

Speaker: The dirty, stinky ones I mentioned having teenage boys. 

Speaker 2: Yes. 

Speaker: They know to keep those socks out of reach. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. 

Speaker: And why are these blockages so dangerous? Why do we care so much about swallowing the underwear and socks and, 

Speaker 2: yeah, so worst case scenario there, ultimately there could be [00:08:00] sepsis or peron.

And so the, it can rupture and perforate through the bowel and then, unfortunately there could be death associated with those circumstances. There could be that, that can also cause what's called a necrotic bowel, or it can be like dead bowel. So you have to resect come parts of the bowel that are just not functioning anymore.

So you have to do. What's called the resection in anastomosis to pull it together. Not impossible, it's a recovery and dietary changes and pain management. So yeah, you just wanna stay away from those things. The other thing too, I will say there is laparoscopic lap laparoscopy available.

So maybe if it's still in the upper area, like the stomach or the upper duodenum, you may be able to. Sedate the dog and pull it out through their mouth versus having to 

Cut them to surgically remove those as well. But yeah, it's just not worth it. Get pet insurance. 

Speaker: Yes. This is the number one reason with doodle families that I recommend it.

Starting before they have a preexisting condition when they're young. Great. 

Speaker 2: Yes. 

Speaker: But you people will say, I have a really healthy puppy. [00:09:00] We have no health problems. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. 

Speaker: How expensive it is to have a blockage treated when they swallow that sock. 

Speaker 2: Yes. Yeah. 

Speaker: To not to be able to bring them in and not worry about possibly thousands of dollars to save their life with a blockage.

Speaker 2: Yep. A hundred percent. Yeah, pet insurance for the win. Yeah. I'm a veterinarian and I have pet insurance for the weens, yeah. I can't say, and even if it's just not pet insurance, then try the third party payment plan options, like care credit, those kinds of things. But yeah it's, that's expensive.

Speaker: It's, and while we're talking about swallowing things, I've had a couple clients mention that they saw underwear, like a thong kind of sticking out of their doodles bottom. 

Speaker 2: Oh, 

Speaker: and do I pull and I am sure you have an answer on that. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. To pull or not to pull is certainly the question at that point there is I recommend sedating them first.

If that's the case, because they don't necessarily have to be under anesthesia for that. So if it's their, because [00:10:00] the what if factor. What if something goes wrong? What if you can. Prolapse something in the backend area, and what if there's other stuff that might be, may just not, may not just be a th it might be other entities that are there.

So I would x-ray them just to make sure we're completely cleaned out. Yeah. And Yeah, definitely don't do it on your own. I don't wanna tell you horror stories. I was just thinking of a couple, but don't 

Speaker: with strings from rope toys and stuff. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. Yes. Especially I know you hear it in cats too, 'cause linear, foreign bodies is a big thing.

And when you, that the intestinal tracts all these different loops and so forth. But when it pulls what it happens, it does create this recording effect, like you said. And then that string can lacerate through the intestinal tract and it's just, it's a nightmare. 

Speaker: Yeah. And we're grateful to have you guys there to help us through and help them through that.

And I'll just give a tip to Natalie that the kind of sock and swallowing things and happening so quickly. My, that's why I advocate so much for training. Trade it, instead of just yelling, drop [00:11:00] across the room. So that there's less hide and swallow and less them like guarding it. And I've gotta get this treasure in my mouth as fast as possible.

Speaker 2: Yes. 

Speaker: That they know that there's an upgrade coming. If mom sees it says trade, so it can feel like it backfires my cava. P Nestle will find one of those teenage socks and bring it to me. 'cause he knows I'm gonna trade him for something. 

Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah. That's. 

Speaker: But he's alive and I haven't had to bring him in for an obstruction surgery, so I'll take it.

I'll take that dirty sock. 

Speaker 2: Excellent. We'll take it. 

Speaker: Yes. 

And Heather shared, I so regret not getting insurance. Fiona ended up with epilepsy. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Heather. 

Speaker 2: Yes. But yeah, it's certainly one of those things too with epilepsy is a, an example for pet insurance. Long-term management could absolutely be covered under pet, pet insurance, depending what your deductible is and what your maximum amount is, but.

I'll share this with you right now as we speak live right now. My dog is currently under surgery right now for [00:12:00] IBDD. He's having his back done Clark de Griswold and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have pet insurance for him. It's a big lifesaving thing. 

Speaker: Thank you for sharing.

And when is his surgery? 

Speaker 2: Oh, I just look at the text. It's like we're putting Clark under right now. That's why I just wrote. Oh, okay. 

Speaker: Okay. 

Speaker 2: Really quick before I sign off with you. I love that we're just talking about, did you know the average age someone decides to become a veterinarian is 10 years of age. 10. It's the youngest professional calling out there.

So more so on the human side, you know all those, you think of all those professions. Veteran medicine is a calling from within and so the average age, so that's why you see a lot of veterinarians that go for career day to the elementary schools 'cause they make such a huge impact. To that, and I share that as we close because I want you to know that this is a calling from our heart and our soul and our DNA.

We love what we do so much. We love your dogs, we love your cats just as much as you do. So I know there could be discrepancies. I know emotions can run high End of life care is very hard. But just know [00:13:00] that we really are with you and we feel what you're going through. And we are so proud and honored to cherish the human animal bond alongside you.

Speaker: Thank you so much for sharing that perspective. I can say I was one of those 10-year-old girls, but I also hit under the table for my shots and vaccines. 

Speaker 2: Were you the one that also put almost Elmer's glue on your hand when it dried up and everything and you peeled it off? 

Speaker: No. 

Speaker 2: Oh, I didn't. And I'm still a veterinarian 

Speaker: oh, there we go.

So I could have done it.

This was the way I could still work with dogs and fulfill that 10-year-old fantasy. 

Speaker 2: Love it. Thank you for all you do. 

Speaker: Thank you and you were so sweet to read some of my book on the plane back from Orlando. 

Speaker 2: I love it. Such a good book. Get her book everyone. 

Speaker: Thank you. I'll let you go 'cause the surgery is gonna be on your mind and you, Dr. Chrisman. I'm so happy that we ran into each, otherwise you. 

Speaker 2: So nice to see [00:14:00] you again.