Basic Restraint and Understanding of Aggression in Dogs

Basic Restraint and understanding of

Aggression in Dogs

Cat Ouellette, CVTOphthalmology Technician Supervisor

Basic Restraint

• Patients that are great at home can become nervous or vicious in the hospital

• Pain or fear can increase aggression

Definition of Restraint

• The act of keeping someone or something under control

• Primary goal of restraining and handling patients is not allowing anyone to get hurt

Prior to handling

Make a plan All supplies pulled and ready to go Assess the patient Keep area quiet and secure

Approach

• Confident and comfortable body language

• Avoid fast movements

• Do not grab

• Come to you

• Sniff the back of your hand

• Watch patients body language

Muzzles

• Best first defense

• Prime time to get bitten

• Snug

Handling

• Towels or gloves Can be used as a barrier to help protect

your self Most teeth will go through gloves

Lifting

• Head must be controlled at all times Small Dogs

Lift by placing one arm around the animal’s neck to control the head, the other arm to scoop up under the rear end

Lifting

• Large Dogs Lift with your legs NOT YOUR BACK!! Two person team works to better control

patient Place one arm around the animal’s neck and

the other arm behind the forearms and around the chest

Other technician will have one arm under the belly in front of the rear legs and the other arm to scoop up the rear end

Restraint

• Patient’s head must be controlled at all times Do not be too aggressive

Restraint

• Standing Hugging grip with the arm around the neck Other arm placed around abdomen and

chest Stabilize against your body

Restraint

• Lateral recumbency (on their side) Positions with feet away from holder Know when to call for help

Restraint

• Dorsal Recumbency (on their back) Best to use 2 handlers Head is well restrained Use a trough for stability

Restraint

• IV injection or peripheral catheter placement

Understanding Aggression

• A way of communicating

•Definition of Aggression-Hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another;

readiness to attack or confront.

-The action of attacking without provocation

Sequence of aggressive behavior• Becoming very still and rigid

• Prolonged eye contact

• Harsh bark that sounds threatening

• Lunging forward or charging at the person with no contact

• Mouthing, as though to move or control the person, without applying significant pressure

• Growl

• Show teeth

• Snarl (growling and showing teeth together)

• Snap

• Quick nip that leaves no mark

• Quick bite that tears the skin

• Bite with enough pressure to cause a bruise

• Bite that causes puncture wounds

• Quick repeated bites

• Bite and shake

Categories of aggressive behavior

• Territorial Defend where they live

Categories of aggressive behavior

• Protective Defend other pack members Family or friend

Categories of aggressive behavior

• Possessive Protect food, toys, bed, crate

Categories of aggressive behavior

• Social Keep pack order Dog feels higher in the family pack

Categories of aggressive behavior

• Fear Common in hospital Fight or Flight response

Categories of aggressive behavior

• Defensive or Dominant Common in hospital setting

Best defense is a good offense Make themselves look BIG

Treat each patient how you wish your pet would be treated

Handling

• Fearful Aggressive Dogs Have a plan Build Trust/Confidence

Have a plan

All supplies pulled and ready to goAssess the patientKeep area quiet and secure

Lowering Fearful Aggression

*Have staff members carry treats or cheerios to toss in the cage or run door every time they pass

*Staff needs to understand the animal’s body language and communicate to the patient that they are not a threat with their human body language

*Goal is to use the body language and treats to show that we are not a threat

Build Trust

Get Low Move slowly Allow the patient to sniff the back of your hand Talk in a happy voice Allow the patient to come to you Patience

Handling

• Defensive or Dominant Only experienced technicians Do not take risks Have a plan

Don’t let your guard down

• Can not rely on owners or doctors to tell you that the patient is aggressive

• Always monitor your patients body language

• Know when to call

for help

Questions?