Techniques of Restraining Dog and Cat
Dog Restraint
Just like in the restraint of farm animals one should use the minimum amount of force when restraining dogs.
Must always focus on the dog’s body language before attempting restraint procedures.
Dog Restraint
You better back off!
Characteristics to Consider
Skills one Should Master
Cat Restraining
Characteristics to Consider
Defensive Postures and Signals
Very Aggressive Positions
Skills One Should Master
DOG Restraining techniques
Dog should be handled with care as:
Knowledge of psychology & behavior dog is a dire need.
Never approach suddenly
The handler should allow the dog to understand that he is not a THREAT and is not going to harm him.
While approaching, call with nickname of dog with love, never bother on word you use.
Allow a dog to approach you first; Often a fearful dog simply needs reassurance that you aren’t a threat.
Crouch down on the floor and coax the dog Slowly, Verbally reassure the dog with a calm, cheerful tone of voice.
If you must approach a dog, always do so carefully and slowly. Make sure that the dog can both see and hear you coming. Observe the dog closely for any signs of fear or aggression.
Slowly hold out your hand, making sure that your hand is no higher than the dog’s nose. The dog may perceive gestures above its nose as threatening, and respond aggressively.
Environment should be calm, quite and be free from all excitement and noises.
(A dog brought to a hospital/clinic may get nervous & furious in new unaccustomed place)
A dog may be restrained with various types of collar & lead.
A dog grasper/rabies poll/ hobble may also be used.
The effects of restraining are:
�1) Physical: bruising, hypoxia (pressure on thorax or trachea), hyperthermia (while struggling) and even fractures.
�2) Physiological : increased heart rate, respiration, temperature and blood pressure.
�3) Changes related Biochemical values: �Leukocytosisis -dog, cat, horse and human. �Hyperglycemia in cats
�4) Psychological: fear of the veterinary hospital and medical treatment or aggressive/defensive behavior.
Techniques of Restraining the head
Hold the dog with its loose skin of neck in one hand & dog chain on other hand.
Be aware that collar or chain does not slip while dog struggles.
Keep your hand parallel to the vertebral column of dog so that it can not grasp your hand
Dog owner should be present at the time of restrainment.
An Elizabethan collar or more conventionally, a bucket collar may be applied to restrain head.
Muzzling of the dog
Before handling dog, its mouth should be kept closed--------by muzzling
In vet practice, most often tape muzzling is used.
Any flat tape or twisted bandage, made loop in tape or bandage at midway.
The loop is thrown over the nose & lower jaw and drawn to fix upper & lower chin.
Then, the tape edges are taken on each side of neck and tied over with reef knot.
Steps on Muzzling of the dog
"Talk to the animals" Many dogs can be comforted by being talked to in a quiet, soothing voice. What you say is not important...the tone of voice is.
Early application of a muzzle actually reduces need for additional restraint. Once muzzle is in place, dog will often "give up" & stop struggling.
Muzzles of different sizes are available or may be prepared suitable to size & shape of face.
Different muzzles
Use basket-style muzzle on a dog with a short face not to interfere with their breathing.
open-ended style of muzzle The dog should be able to stick its tongue out
For small or short-muzzled dog
Throw a blanket or towel over the dog's head.
Put hands firmly around the dog's neck and once the head is restrained, wrap the towel around the neck.
Better its eyes too is wrapped, as dogs seem to relax more if their eyes remain covered.
Holding a dog for examination
Don’t lift pup by its collar chain or by holding forelimbs (inhuman practice ). But, with a hand under its abdomen & body, should be gently lifted in arm and cradle.
Alternatively,
The left arm on dog's neck and palm of the hand placed firmly on its right scapula. The right hand on rear quarters on sitting position holding for examination.
Pups may be allowed to sit on owner knee, sitting on a chair & it should be held in such a manner that all the limbs are directed towards the examiner.
Restraining by assistant
Assistant apply light pressure at all restraint points. If dog struggles, holder applies greater pressure for additional control and as it stops struggling, reduces pressure.
Most animals quickly "learn" to lie still if one "reward" them with minimal restraint.
To keep a dog lying on sternal recumbency, drape your arm and upper body over the dog's shoulders.
Use the opposite hand to hold the body part that is being treated.
If feet are to be checked, muzzle should be held by the holder and her right hand to keep the dog's right front foot still for nail trimming.
Holder can use her body to keep dog's middle on table. The holder use her right hand to hold rear paw still or her left hand to keep front paw still for nail trimming.
Hold front leg closest to table, gripping near elbow, NOT close to paw. The other arm holds rear leg, closest to table, gripping close to body, NOT close to paw.
One arm is placed around dog's neck while other is placed around dog's rump. This prevents dog going forward or back.
Another technique used to restrain large dogs is to straddle dog with knee on either side of dog, with dog lying on floor.
Holder can control how much weight to place over the dog's back.
Techniques of Restraining cat
Canvas or nylon bag, with a fastener at the neck opening and one or more zippers to allow selective exposure of a body part/limbs.
Instead, a heavy towel or a pillow case can be used to wrap the cats body, leaving the head exposed.
The cats feet are now restrained so that one can work with his/her eyes, ears or give medication.
Zippers are strategically placed around the bag to allow selective exposure of a body part. This is useful when trimming claws.
Muzzles used for cats are called hoods and cover the end of the face and the eyes. The end of the muzzle is open for easy breathing.
Cut off the bottom of the cup. Punch 2 holes on opposite sides of the lip of the cup. Tie 2 pieces of string or ribbon through the holes.
Place the cup over the cat's nose and eyes and tie the strings together behind the cat's ears.
The bottom of the cup should extend 1/2 to 1 inch beyond the cat's nose. The cat can easily open his/her mouth.
Step 1 Place cat at the front edge of the towel, about a foot in from one side
Towel Wrapping Cat in 5 Steps
Step 2 Wrap the short side of the towel around cat's neck, like a scarf
Step 3 Pull the short side of the towel over cat, so that her entire body is covered, except for the face.
Step 4 Pull the front edge of the towel forward, which will wrap under cat's neck.
Step 5 Once the towel is wrapped all the way around, grab the other side and pull it over cat, making sure that it's firm in place.
Now, cat is secured in the towel, we can give her medication or clip her nails by working on one leg at a time. When trimming nails, use an arm to gently hold the cat next to the body, and keep hands away from her mouth to prevent bites.