Let me tell you an insider secret from the world of veterinary medicine. There are certain people we can't wait to see come in with their pets. While as health professionals we certainly don't offer them better medical care than people we don't like as much, I do admit that these folks are shown the red carpet.

What makes these clients VIPs, how do you become one, and what will you receive in return for your efforts? The more items you tick off this list, the higher your ranking as a veterinary VIP:

• You're a tiny bit early for your appointment.

• You treat the entire staff with respect, warmth and good humor.

• You come armed with a full history of your pet's current medical problem, the more detailed the better – e.g., vomited three times yesterday; it was slimy, yellow and contained bits of cardboard packaging.

• You've trained your pet to welcome, not fear, a veterinary visit, and you've gone through gentling techniques with your pet, so we can easily examine everything.

• You accept our recommendations after an honest, open discussion.

• You pay your bills.

• If we exceed your expectations, you recommend us to others with enthusiasm and frequency.

• On occasion, for any or no reason, you bring us a plate of brownies or cookies to feed a tired crew.

In return you get:

• Staffers who fight to take your call and veterinarians who fight to keep you as their client.

• A veterinary team that lights up even brighter when you walk through the door.

• Somehow we find a spot on an overbooked schedule for you or find a place to board your pet over a holiday, even though we've been booked full for months.

• We don't watch the clock as closely when it's your turn in the exam room.

• Perhaps most important, you can call us after hours for help (VIPs often have their veterinarian's personal cell number!), and we'll either pick up the phone to talk you through it, race to the practice to meet you, or refer you to someone else and tell them to take special care of you.

Little things mean a lot and they all add up. With respect and a positive attitude on both sides, your relationship with your veterinarian will mean the best experience possible for all.

Video bonus: Watch Pet Connection's Mikkel Becker teach a dog how to sit for the food dish (vetstreet.com/teach-your-dog-to-wait-for-the-food-bowl)

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Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Email them at petconnection@gmail.com or visit www.petconnection.com. Back columns: www.sacbee.com/spadafori.

• Read more articles by Dr. Marty Becker