Animal Handling and Restraint
Handling or restraining an animal correctly means you do it humanly and a way that is safe for you and the animal. Remember that the animal is afraid and is in a strange environment. Some animals are not used to be being handled or restrained so it's best to make sure you are doing it correctly. Do NOT put your face near an animal, do NOT move behind or crowd around the animal, and do NOT sit on floor while examining( it can be difficult for you to get up quickly if the animal tries to bite) always kneel don't sit. If you feel that the animal is aggressive ask a staff member for help. NOT the owner. The pet owner might feel bad and let go of the animal which can harm you. REMEMBER: The least restraint is the often the best restraint. Make sure that even if the animal is not showing signs of aggression you should still restrain it a bit. Make sure the pet is comfortable with you by avoiding eye contact, talk to the animal, try getting the animal to come to you and pet it.Restraint is forcible confinement that is used to hold an animal. Sometimes the owner might think you are hurting their animal so try your best not to make the restraint seem so harsh. The goal of restraining an animal is to be able to hold it correctly for a procedure to be done without hurting or stressing out the animal. Some animals can become even more aggressive it's important that you don't traumatize the animal so always introduce yourself first. Even if the dog has a collar use a noose leash because the collar can slip off causing the animal to escape.
Verbal Restraint:
-Many dogs know how to sit,stay,come,down,no,and heel
-This can help encourage the dog
-Remember don't shout but softly speak
-Shouting can cause the animal to become much more aggressive
Physical Restraint:
Leash: This is the most common technique used, when using it test it out first don't just put the leash around the animal's neck and walk it somewhere. Some animals are not leash trained and will tug and pull away if this happens try reassuring the dog by talking to it and encourage it. If that does not work and the animal is too aggressive to handle try putting a muzzle on it and carry it. ALL animal in a clinic should be on a leash or in a crate any animal can escape and harm someone.
Your hand: Using your hand is another good method because it's easy for you to gain control however you are more prone to a bite if you let go or if you are not restraining correctly.
Towels: Mostly used on cats and small dogs. The towel is thrown over the animal and then you slowly approach the animal and pick it up this prevents claws from scratching you through the towel.
Control Pole: Best method for large extremely aggressive dogs. Must be used with care and the person must be experienced with it. One wrong move and you can harm yourself or the dog. The pole allows you to keep your distance from the dog and it can come up and bite you.
Nets: Used or fractious cat and wildlife, allows easy capture and safe handling with small mammals.
Muzzles: Used on dogs when it tries to bite you. Many types of muzzles exist. Many dogs try to remove the muzzle and this is why it should be firmly in place.If the muzzle is not strong enough the dog can break it. Cat muzzles are also used they cover the muzzle and eyes to prevent stress.
Drugs: Used when the animal is too aggressive and is stressed out. Also used on dangerous wildlife. This drug sedates the animal and allows you to properly work on it while it's sedated.
NEVER LET GO without warning. Always try your best when restrain an animal but if you see the animal is too aggressive tell everyone you have to let go and they should step away and allow you to let go.
Remember animals have teeth and claws they can attack you with for any reason, use soft voices and be careful.
When you first meet a dog:
-Slowly stretch out your hand palm down and allow the dog to sniff it.
-Do NOT stare directly at the dog, it can take it as a threat
-If the dog sniffs your hand and wags your tail he has accepted your welcome
- Start scratching the dog behind the ears and start to scratch more vigorously if the dog accepts and likes it pet the whole body.
-Before starting a procedure pet the dog around it's whole body.
Cat Restraint:
People consider cats to be more difficult to restrain than dogs. Using leather gloves helps or doing a cat bag prevents the cat from biting or scratching you.
Handling or restraining an animal correctly means you do it humanly and a way that is safe for you and the animal. Remember that the animal is afraid and is in a strange environment. Some animals are not used to be being handled or restrained so it's best to make sure you are doing it correctly. Do NOT put your face near an animal, do NOT move behind or crowd around the animal, and do NOT sit on floor while examining( it can be difficult for you to get up quickly if the animal tries to bite) always kneel don't sit. If you feel that the animal is aggressive ask a staff member for help. NOT the owner. The pet owner might feel bad and let go of the animal which can harm you. REMEMBER: The least restraint is the often the best restraint. Make sure that even if the animal is not showing signs of aggression you should still restrain it a bit. Make sure the pet is comfortable with you by avoiding eye contact, talk to the animal, try getting the animal to come to you and pet it.Restraint is forcible confinement that is used to hold an animal. Sometimes the owner might think you are hurting their animal so try your best not to make the restraint seem so harsh. The goal of restraining an animal is to be able to hold it correctly for a procedure to be done without hurting or stressing out the animal. Some animals can become even more aggressive it's important that you don't traumatize the animal so always introduce yourself first. Even if the dog has a collar use a noose leash because the collar can slip off causing the animal to escape.
Verbal Restraint:
-Many dogs know how to sit,stay,come,down,no,and heel
-This can help encourage the dog
-Remember don't shout but softly speak
-Shouting can cause the animal to become much more aggressive
Physical Restraint:
Leash: This is the most common technique used, when using it test it out first don't just put the leash around the animal's neck and walk it somewhere. Some animals are not leash trained and will tug and pull away if this happens try reassuring the dog by talking to it and encourage it. If that does not work and the animal is too aggressive to handle try putting a muzzle on it and carry it. ALL animal in a clinic should be on a leash or in a crate any animal can escape and harm someone.
Your hand: Using your hand is another good method because it's easy for you to gain control however you are more prone to a bite if you let go or if you are not restraining correctly.
Towels: Mostly used on cats and small dogs. The towel is thrown over the animal and then you slowly approach the animal and pick it up this prevents claws from scratching you through the towel.
Control Pole: Best method for large extremely aggressive dogs. Must be used with care and the person must be experienced with it. One wrong move and you can harm yourself or the dog. The pole allows you to keep your distance from the dog and it can come up and bite you.
Nets: Used or fractious cat and wildlife, allows easy capture and safe handling with small mammals.
Muzzles: Used on dogs when it tries to bite you. Many types of muzzles exist. Many dogs try to remove the muzzle and this is why it should be firmly in place.If the muzzle is not strong enough the dog can break it. Cat muzzles are also used they cover the muzzle and eyes to prevent stress.
Drugs: Used when the animal is too aggressive and is stressed out. Also used on dangerous wildlife. This drug sedates the animal and allows you to properly work on it while it's sedated.
NEVER LET GO without warning. Always try your best when restrain an animal but if you see the animal is too aggressive tell everyone you have to let go and they should step away and allow you to let go.
Remember animals have teeth and claws they can attack you with for any reason, use soft voices and be careful.
When you first meet a dog:
-Slowly stretch out your hand palm down and allow the dog to sniff it.
-Do NOT stare directly at the dog, it can take it as a threat
-If the dog sniffs your hand and wags your tail he has accepted your welcome
- Start scratching the dog behind the ears and start to scratch more vigorously if the dog accepts and likes it pet the whole body.
-Before starting a procedure pet the dog around it's whole body.
Cat Restraint:
People consider cats to be more difficult to restrain than dogs. Using leather gloves helps or doing a cat bag prevents the cat from biting or scratching you.
Lifting:To correctly lift a dog put your arm around the neck area and the other arm in the are behind the hind legs. Lift with your knees not your back and if the animal is too heavy call for assistance.
Sitting Position: Grab the back area of the dog and push it down this makes the dog sit grab the dog's head and hold it.
Sternal Position: Have the dog down upright and pull on the front legs like shown.
Lateral Position : The dog is lying down while you hold legs.
Cephalic Vein: Located on dog's leg, have dog sit down and pull their elbow straight.
Saphenous Vein: Have the dog in lateral position and inject hind area (Marked on picture)
Jugular Vein: This vein is in the neck are of the dog. Sit the dog and use one hand to hold front legs and the other to hold the dog's head