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