© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________
Worksheet 8-1: Dog Restraint and Handling Techniques
General Safety Practices
1. Students should always wear proper safety clothing that protects the arms,
legs, and feet when working with canines. Laboratory coats or scrub tops and
pants with long sleeves provide protection to the arms and legs. Sometimes
the use of gloves may be warranted. Closed-toe, nonslip shoes are
recommended.
2. If a student is bitten, scratched, or injured in any way, the student should
report the injury to the instructor immediately and seek medical attention.
3. Animals that appear too aggressive to handle safely should be handled with
extreme caution, and students should remain calm and quiet while near the
dog.
4. Students should make sure all cages are properly latched and secured to
prevent animals from escaping.
5. All animals should be handled with care and respect.
Reasons for dog restraint:
• Control for examinations and hospital procedures
• Prevent injury to an animal, client, or staff member
• Reassure an animal and keep it calm and stress free
Student Objectives:
Students should be able to provide necessary materials and equipment and
properly complete the following restraint techniques using a veterinary simulator:
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
• Apply a commercial leash to a dog
• Remove a dog from a cage or kennel
• Demonstrate how to walk a dog in the heel position
• Demonstrate how to use a snare or rabies pole
• Demonstrate lateral recumbency
• Demonstrate standing recumbency
• Demonstrate sitting recumbency
• Demonstrate sternal recumbency
• Demonstrate dorsal recumbency
• Demonstrate dorsal-ventral (DV) recumbency
• Demonstrate ventral-dorsal (VD) recumbency
• Apply a commercial muzzle
• Apply a gauze muzzle
• Apply a tape muzzle
• Apply a leash muzzle
• Return a dog to a cage or kennel
• Demonstrate how to handle a fractious or scared dog
• Restrain a dog for cephalic venipuncture
• Restrain a dog for jugular venipuncture
• Restrain a dog for saphenous venipuncture
• Restrain a dog for femoral venipuncture
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
COMPETENCY SKILLS TASKS:
Apply a commercial leash to a dog
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Place a leash in one hand
with a large loop open and
ready to place over the
dog’s head.
2. Slip the leash over the
head while standing to the
slide of the dog.
3. Gently tighten the leash
around the patient’s head.
4. Stand to the left side of
the dog.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Remove a dog from a cage or kennel
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Place a leash in one hand
with a large loop open and
ready to place over the
dog’s head.
2. Open the cage door
enough to slip the hand
holding the leash into the
cage.
3. Slip the leash over the
neck of the dog and gently
tighten the leash around
the patient’s neck.
4. Stand to the left side of
the dog.
5. Keep the dog to your side
while maintaining a slight
tension on the leash.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Demonstrate how to walk a dog in the heel position
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Place a leash in one hand
with a large loop open and
ready to place over the
dog’s head.
2. Slip the leash over the
head while standing to the
slide of the dog.
3. Gently tighten the leash
around the patient’s head.
4. Stand to the left side of
the dog.
5. Walk forward with the
dog at the left side of the
body
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Demonstrate how to use a snare or rabies pole
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Make a large loop with
the end of the pole.
2. Open the cage enough to
place the loop in the cage
and place the loop over
the neck of the dog.
3. Gently tighten the loop on
the pole.
4. Open the cage and gently
pull the dog from the
cage.
5. Walk the dog from the
side by gently pushing the
dog forward.
6. Caution should be used as
to not choke the dog.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Demonstrate lateral recumbency
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Determine which side of
the dog must be placed
down on the floor.
2. Stand on the side of the
dog that is to be the down
side.
3. Reach both arms over the
back and chest of the dog.
4. Firmly grasp the front and
rear paws.
5. With a sudden jerk, flip
the dog onto its side.
Caution should be used to
avoid having the dog’s
head hit any objects or the
floor.
6. The front and rear limbs
that are the down side
should be firmly grasped
to avoid standing.
7. The upper body of the
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
restrainer should be used
to apply pressure over the
back and chest of the dog
to avoid standing.
8. The elbow should apply
pressure over the neck of
the dog to avoid biting.
9. Small dogs may require
only one restrainer;
medium to large dogs will
require two or more
restrainers.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Demonstrate standing recumbency
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Dog should be grasped in
a bear hug around the
head and neck with one
arm.
2. The free arm should be
placed under the dog’s
stomach and raised to a
standing position.
3. Do not allow the dog to
sit down.
4. Small dogs may require
only one restrainer;
medium to large dogs will
require two or more
restrainers.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Demonstrate sternal recumbency
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. The dog should be in the
standing position.
2. Apply pressure over the
hips, forcing the dog to
sit.
3. Slide one hand under the
front legs while applying
pressure over the
shoulders with the free
hand.
4. Maintain pressure over
the back and shoulders
until the dog is lying on
its chest.
5. Restrain the head in a bear
hug with one arm.
6. Use the free arm to apply
continued pressure over
the back to prevent
standing.
7. Small dogs may require
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
only one restrainer;
medium to large dogs will
require two or more
restrainers.
Demonstrate dorsal recumbency
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. The dog should be placed
in lateral recumbency as
outlined.
2. The dog is gently rolled
onto its back with the
front legs extended
forward and the back legs
extended backward.
3. The dog’s head should be
kept between the front
legs and held securely.
4. The rear legs should be
kept still to avoid injury to
the back.
5. Small dogs may require
only one restrainer;
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
medium to large dogs will
require two or more
restrainers.
Demonstrate dorsal-ventral (DV) recumbency
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. The dog should be in the
standing position.
2. Apply pressure over the
hips, forcing the dog to
sit.
3. Slide one hand under the
front legs while applying
pressure over the
shoulders with the free
hand.
4. Maintain pressure over
the back and shoulders
until the dog is lying on
its chest.
5. Restrain the head in a bear
hug with one arm.
6. Use the free arm to apply
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
continued pressure over
the back to prevent
standing.
7. Small dogs may require
only one restrainer;
medium to large dogs will
require two or more
restrainers.
8. This is a common position
for X-rays when the light
beam enters the dorsal
area (back) first and the
ventral area (stomach)
second.
Demonstrate ventral-dorsal (VD) recumbency
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. The dog should be placed
in lateral recumbency as
outlined.
2. The dog is gently rolled
onto its back with the
front legs extended
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
forward and the back legs
extended backward.
3. The dog’s head should be
kept between the front
legs and held securely.
4. The rear legs should be
kept still to avoid injury to
the back.
5. Small dogs may require
only one restrainer;
medium to large dogs will
require two or more
restrainers.
6. This is a common position
for X-rays when the light
beam enters the ventral
area (stomach) first and
the dorsal area (back)
second.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Apply a commercial muzzle
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Hold the muzzle with the
narrow side up and the
wide side down. Grasp the
muzzle on each side.
2. Stand to the side of the
dog and place the muzzle
carefully over the nose of
the dog. The muzzle
should fit snugly.
3. Place each end behind the
ears and snap in place like
a seat belt.
4. Pull the end snugly.
5. Release the clasp by
pinching and pulling
open.
6. Hold one end of the
muzzle and allow it to slip
off the nose of the dog.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Apply a gauze muzzle
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Make a loop using a piece
of heavy gauze long
enough to fit the dog.
2. Slip the loop over the
dog’s nose by standing to
the side of the dog. Pull
the loop tightly.
3. Take each side under the
jaw and tie in a square
knot under the chin.
4. Take each side behind
each ear and tie in a knot
with a bow behind the
ears.
5. Untie the bow and slip the
muzzle off the nose of the
dog.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Apply a tape muzzle
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Make a muzzle using a
piece of 1- inch tape that
is long enough to fit the
dog.
2. Fold the entire piece of
tape onto itself to make a
long piece of non-stick
tape.
3. Make a large loop with
the tape.
4. Slip the loop over the
dog’s nose by standing to
the side of the dog. Pull
the loop tightly.
5. Take each side under the
jaw and tie in a square
knot under the chin.
6. Take each side behind
each ear and tie in a knot
with a bow behind the
ears.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
7. Untie the bow and slip the
tape muzzle off the nose
of the dog.
Apply a leash muzzle
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Make a loop using a
commercial nylon leash
long enough to fit the dog.
2. Slip the loop over the
dog’s nose by standing to
the side of the dog. Pull
the loop tightly.
3. Take each side under the
jaw and tie in a square
knot under the chin.
4. Take each side behind
each ear and tie in a knot
with a bow behind the
ears.
5. Untie the bow and slip the
leash muzzle off the nose
of the dog.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Return a dog to a cage or kennel
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Open the cage door
completely.
2. Place the animal in the
cage with the dog facing
you.
3. Close the door with only
one arm remaining in the
cage.
4. Gently slip the loop of the
leash over the dog’s neck
and pull the leash from
the cage.
5. Completely close the cage
door and latch securely.
6. Check the door to make
sure it is properly closed.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Demonstrate how to handle a fractious or scared dog
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Work calmly and slowly
with the scared dog.
2. Talk with a soft and
gentle voice and reassure
the dog.
3. More slowly toward the
dog from the side. Do not
approach from the front or
rear of the dog.
4.
5. Gently apply a leash using
the loop method over the
neck.
6. Continue to talk softly to
the dog.
7. Slowly walk the dog from
the area.
8. Use a muzzle as
necessary.
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Restrain a dog for cephalic venipuncture
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Place the dog in sitting
recumbency.
2. Stand on the opposite side
of the limb to be
restrained.
3. Restrain the head using a
bear hug.
4. Use the free arm and hand
to reach around the back
side of the dog and hold
the leg at the elbow.
5. Extend the elbow
forward.
6. Apply pressure around the
elbow by making a fist
and allowing the vein to
pop up over the front
limb.
7. Keep the leg extended
throughout the procedure.
8. When the venipuncture is
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
complete, gently apply
pressure to the puncture
site until bleeding stops or
a bandage is applied.
9. If blood is on the fur,
clean with hydrogen
peroxide and rinse fur
with water and dry.
Restrain a dog for jugular venipuncture
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. A large dog should be
placed on the floor in
sitting or sternal
recumbency.
2. A small dog should be
placed on a table with the
front legs extended over
the edge.
3. Collars should be
removed to prevent
injury.
4. The head is extended
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upward and away from
the person collecting
blood. The muzzle is held
closed to prevent biting.
5. The free arm is held over
the body to prevent
moving.
6. Once the needle is
removed from the jugular
vein, the restrainer should
place a finger over the
collection site to prevent
bleeding.
7. Clean the fur with
hydrogen peroxide and
rinse fur with water and
dry.
Restrain a dog for saphenous venipuncture
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Place the dog in lateral
recumbency according to
the limb being used. The
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
hind limb being used is
the one that should be on
top.
2. Restrain the head in a bear
hug.
3. Modify the restraint for
lateral recumbency by
placing the hand
restraining the hind limbs
around the top of the leg
below the knee or thigh
area.
4. Maintain pressure over
the lateral surface of the
limb so that the saphenous
vein will pop up
5. Once the venipuncture is
complete, place a thumb
over the blood collection
site and maintain pressure
until the bleeding stops or
a bandage is placed.
6. If blood is on the fur,
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
clean with hydrogen
peroxide and rinse fur
with water and dry.
Restrain a dog for femoral venipuncture
Skill Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Notes
1. Place the dog in lateral
recumbency with the leg
being used placed on the
bottom.
2. Restrain the head in a bear
hug.
3. Modify the restraint for
lateral recumbency by
placing the hand
restraining the hind limb
over the inside of the
groin or thigh area. Apply
deep pressure in a karate
chop fashion with the
little finger making
contact with the skin.
4. Apply pressure to allow
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
the femoral vein to pop
up.
5. Release pressure when
venipuncture is complete
and place finger over the
puncture site until
bleeding stops or a
bandage is applied.
6. If blood is on the fur,
clean with hydrogen
peroxide and rinse fur
with water and dry.
Use your senses to monitor the behavior of dogs, and analyze each situation carefully.
Work slowly and calmly with each dog. Talk in a soft voice and reassure the dog. When
the procedure is completed, be sure to praise the animal. Practice each restraint technique
using a veterinary simulator and become familiar with how to handle the animal. Use the
charts to record assessment skills that may be recorded by your instructor or peers.
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