dogs i behavior and restraint of dogs
TRANSCRIPT
Principles of Canine
Behavior, Restraint and
Handling
Patience & Wisdom
Canine TerminologySp. Canis Lupus Familiaris
Dog: Male Bitch: Female Sire: Father of a litter Dam: Mother of a litter Whelping:Giving birth
Evolution to Domestication Direct descendent of the gray wolf
Behavior changed; smaller and with shorter muzzles and smaller teeth
Started their interactions with humans as scavengers
One of the most notable changes is the ability of dogs to understand, or read, human signs and behaviors, such as changes in tone or voice or pointing (wolves don’t have this feature)
“Evolution of the Dog” http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/01/5/l_015_02.html
Evolution to DomesticationModern dogs spend most of their time with
humans
View human family as their pack
Need to establish pecking order within group
Canine Behavior Submissive Behavior
Tail low, wagging Face licking Nuzzling Rolling over Displaying belly/groin Averted gaze, crouching
Dog is acknowledging its lower status by showing puppy-like body language
* Submissive urination
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lihayward/1075950956/
Canine Behavior Playful Behavior
Front legs extended Chest lowered to ground Rump in the air Ears back Yapping Tail up and wagging
Making himself smaller and using puppy sounds – less threatening
www.dogsblog.com
Canine Behavior Dominant Behavior
Erect tail Stiff-legged walk Head high, ears up or back Direct eye contact
Thinks highly of him/herself; may not acknowledge another animal’s (or human’s) dominance
Texasvetbehavior.com
Prelude to a Bite Ears BackLips Drawn
Head & NeckExtended Up
Direct EyeContact
HacklesRaised
PRELUDE TO A DOG BITE
Breed Considerations Sometimes dog can be hard to
“read” because of breed
Floppy eared dogs don’t provide same “ear cues” as others
Heavy facial fur
Non-vocalizing dogs
“It is the dog’s perception of a
situation, not the intent of the human, which
determines whether a situation is potentially
harmful.”American Humane Society
Dominance Aggression Dog perceives a “challenge” to its social
status
Physical restraint is seen as threat (even hugging)
Do not reach for the collar or reach over the head of a dominant dog
Problematic in clinic setting!
Fear Aggression Dog attacks out of fear it will be harmed
Territorial/Possession Aggression Dog will defend its territory and
possessions (toys, bedding, crate, etc.)
Possessions can include humans
Approaching the animal Call dog by its name, then approach from the
front – never sneak up on it!
Hand extended, palm down, fingers curled
Let dog sniff back of your hand
When shown acceptance (tail wagging, relaxed body language), scratch under the dog’s ears, then its chest, neck, shoulders and hips.
Dkimages.com
Considerations with Owners If owner is holding the dog, ask him/her to
place dog on the table. Do not take the dog from the owner
Owner should NEVER restrain animal – practice is liable if animal bites owner
Sometimes its best if owner is not in the room
Special Handling Considerations Puppies
Pregnant Bitches
Old dogs
Nervous Dogs
Injured Dogs www.dogbreedinfo.com
Handling – Lifting/Carrying Medium sized dogs
Sweep one hand and arm under the dog’s head and neck
Slip the other arm under dog’s abdomen near its hind legs
Using your legs (not your back), lift dog up
Handling – Lifting/Carrying Small Dogs
Reach one hand under head/neck and grasp collar on side opposite from you
With other hand, reach over dog’s back and support thorax with hand and arm
www.petalert.com
Handling – Lifting/Carrying Large Dog
Reach one hand and arm under dog’s head and neck and rest hand just below shoulder on side opposite from you
Wrap other hand and arm behind dog’s rump and lift. Dog will assume a “sitting position.”
www.petalert.com
* Use this method for lifting pregnant bitches
Restraint Techniques Standing Restraint
Wrap one arm around dog’s neck to control head.
Wrap other arm under abdomen. Pull dog close to your body
Use this restraint for:
Physical examIM, SQ InjectionsTPRExpressing Anal Glands
Restraint Techniques Sternal Restraint
From standing restraint, move your hand from under the abdomen to behind the stifles, and gently press the stifles forward, making the dog sit.
Use your body to gently push down on dog’s back while pulling its front legs forward
Use this restraint for:
Cleaning earsApplying eye medsGiving oral meds
Restraint TechniquesLateral Restraint With dog in standing position,
reach across its back and grab both forelimbs in one hand & both hindlegs in the other
Place the index finger of each hand between the 2 legs being held
Slowly lift dog’s legs up and let its body slide against yours until it is lying laterally.
Restraint TechniquesLateral Restraint (cont.)
Use forearm closest to dog’s head to put pressure on head to keep dog from reaching around and biting
Use this restraint for:
Urine catheterizationSQ, IM injectionsLateral saphenous venipuncture
Important!Lift dog’s forelegs
slightly off the table – it prevents them from
trying to get up
Low Stress HandlingThese short videos were created by a
veterinarian who created a series of “low stress” methods of handling dogs and cats
Check it out:
http://www.nerdbook.com/lowstresshandling/videos.html?play=1#one
Restraint TechniquesJugular Venipuncture
In sternal recumbency, move the hand from under the dogs neck up to under the mandible. Curl fingers around mandible
Tilt dog’s head back and up to expose jugular vein
Place other hand around shoulder of dog and lean on the animal to keep him still. Legs can also be extended over the table edge (for small breeds)
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Restraint TechniquesCephalic Venipuncture
Dog in sternal recumbency, keep its body close to yours
Encircle one arm under the dog’s neck and head.
With the other hand, brace the dog’s elbow and using the thumb on the same hand, “roll” the vein and occlude it for the person taking the blood
Restraint TechniquesLateral Saphenous
Venipuncture
With dog in lateral recumbency, the restrainer releases hind legs and uses that hand to grab and squeeze the leg just above the knee, occluding the saphenous vein
Saphenous vein
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Restraint Equipment - Muzzles
Using MuzzlesCommercial Muzzles vs. Gauze Muzzles
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Do NOT use “CLING”
Commercial MuzzlesPurpose: to keep dog from
biting
Different types (leather, nylon or basket) for different types of dogs
Proper fit is key! Estimate size based on dog’s muzzle
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Applying Commercial MuzzleDog in sitting or sternal recumbencyTwo methods of applying a muzzle:
1. If the animal is aggressive it may be easier to get the muzzle on by approaching from the rear and quickly applying the muzzle over the nose and mouth.
2. If the animal is fearful, apply the muzzle from the front so they can see you approaching. The basket style muzzles are easier to apply if the animal’s mouth is open (trying to bite) because this style is wider.
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Applying a Gauze MuzzleThe length must be
adequate to wrap around the muzzle at least twice, then tie behind the ears.
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Applying a Gauze MuzzleA large loop is made in
the center of the length of gauze. The loop should be about 3 times the diameter of the dog's muzzle
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Applying a Gauze Muzzle
The loop is placed around the muzzle and pulled tight atdorsum of the nose. A single knot is placed.
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Applying a Gauze MuzzleThe ends of the gauze
are then tied under the jaw with a single knot.
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Applying a Gauze MuzzleThe long ends of the gauze
are brought behind the ears and tied in either a square knot or a easy release bow.
It’s a good idea to tie a square knot and have scissors handy in case the muzzle needs to be quickly removed.
www.vetmed.wsu.edu