Veterinary 2nd Semester

Control of dogs
The dog should be handled with proper care because it is sometimes difficult to understand
their temperament or the dog may not cooperate while handling because of its variable state of mind.
A dog may harm the handler if it is not properly restrained. A comprehensive knowledge of
psychology and behavioral aspect of the dog is a dire necessity in the process of restrainment. A dog
should never be approached suddenly. A dog may scratch or bite a handler out of agony. The handler
should allow the dog to understand that he is not an enemy and is not going to harm him. A friendly
gentle approach will help to remove fear out.
A personnel skill and patience is a must for the dog handler. While approaching the dog, a handler
should call with the nickname of the dog with love, never bother on word you use. The environment
should be calm, quite and be free from all excitement and noises. A dog when brought to a hospital or
clinic may become nervous and furious in the new unaccustomed and at the presence of people who
are unknown to the dog. A dog may be restrained with hobble and various types of collar and lead. A
dog grasper may also be used for this purpose.
Restraining the head
Approaching the dog affectionately with low voice, one may hold the dog with its loose skin of the
neck in one hand and dog chain or collar on the other hand. He should be aware that collar or chain
does not slip while the dog struggles. The dog owner should invariably be present at the time of
restrainment to help the process. An Elizabethan collar or more conventionally, a bucket collar may be
applied to restrain the head movement.
Muzzling of the dog
Prior to handling of an unfamiliar dog, its mouth should be kept closed/muzzled to prevent accident
through biting. Even a placid and timid dog should be muzzled when it requires rigorous handling. In
veterinary practice, most often tape muzzling is used. Any flat tape or twisted bandage may be
employed to muzzle a dog. The size of muzzle will vary according to the size and breed of the dog.
The tape should be clean and disinfected when a single tape is used for muzzling number of dogs.
Preferably, the tape should be discarded after each use. With a clove hitch knot or surgeon's knot, a
loop is made in the tape or bandage. The loop is thrown over the nose and lower jaw and drawn to fix
the upper and the lower chin. Then, the edges of the tape is taken on each side of the neck and tied
over the neck with reef knot.
Leather muzzles of different sizes are available in market and these may be used. A leather muzzle
may also be prepared suitable to the size and shape of the face of dog.
Work with the dog in the position that (s)he finds most comfortable yet provides you adequate
exposure to do what you need to do. The LEAST amount of restraint that is needed should be applied.
Excessive restraint becomes a test of wills and you will find dogs to be stubborn and not give up. The
more you attempt to restrain them, the harder they resist and the less pleasant and more dangerous the
experience becomes for all. 
"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. Even the best-behaved dog may bite if frightened. Early
application of a muzzle actually reduces the need for additional restraint. Once the muzzle is in place,
the dog will often "give up" and stop struggling.  Several types of muzzles can be used. The end of the
muzzle can be closed basket-style muzzles or open-ended.  All the muzzles have a strap that buckles
behind the ears, on the top of the head.

Made of plastic leather or cloth Closed ended basket muzzles

allow the animal to open their mouth to pant.

Dr. Dipesh Chetri,IAAS

 Veterinary 2nd Semester

Always use a basket-style muzzle on a dog This open-ended style of muzzle should
with a short face such as Boston Terriers or fit snuggly. The dog should be able to stick its tongue out
Bulldogs so you do not interfere with their but should not be able to open the mouth any wider. 
breathing.

If a muzzle is not available, a length of roll gauze or ribbon can be used to

create a muzzle. The gauze should NOT be stretchy. As the gauze is not
very strong, it should be doubled to increase strength.
The length must be adequate to wrap around the muzzle at least twice, and
then tie behind the ears.

A 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.

The loop is placed around the muzzle and pulled

tight on the top of the nose. A single knot is tied.

The ends of the gauze are then tied under the jaw with a single knot.

The long ends of the gauze are brought behind the ears and tied in either a
square knot or a easy release bow. Some prefers to tie a square knot and
have a scissors handy in case the muzzle needs to be quickly removed.

If the animal has a short face, this style of muzzle easily slips off. To reduce slippage, after tying the
square knot behind the ears, bring the long ends of the gauze forward and loop the ends under the loop
of gauze, which is around the muzzle, then pull the ends back over the forehead and under the gauze
behind the ears, then tie another square knot.

For small or short-muzzled dog

Throw a blanket or towel over the dog's head. You will need to put
your hands firmly around the dog's neck and once you have the
head restrained, wrap the towel around the neck. It is a good idea
to be able to see at least the dog's nose and better yet its eyes,
though some dogs seem to relax more if their eyes remain covered.

Dr. Dipesh Chetri,IAAS

 Veterinary 2nd Semester
Holding a dog for examination
A pup should be lifted not by its collar chain or by holding the forelimbs. A hand should be placed
under its abdomen and its body should be gently lifted into the arm and cradle. It will be inhuman
practice to lift a puppy by holding the collar chain.
The left arm may be placed on the dog's neck and the palm of the hand may be placed firmly on its
right shoulder blade. The right hand may force the rear quarters to sitting position holding it fixed in
that manner for examination.
In order to place a dog side wise, a muzzle should be applied first; then the dog should be placed
sidewise on a table holding its forelimbs with one hand and the rear limbs with other hand. One person
enabling the other person to pass one arm over neck and grasp the underneath fore leg and with the
other hand grasp the corresponding hind limb should perform this.
Small pups may be allowed to sit on the knee of the owner sitting on a chair and it should be held in
such a manner that all the limbs are directed towards the examiner. In case of vicious dogs, attempt
should be made to apply a leather muzzle. It may be difficult and hazardous and as such proper care
should be taken to avoid injury. For this purpose, the dog should be chained in a fixed point and its
hind limbs should be pulled from behind so that the dog is grasped firmly. More than one person will
be required in this process of holding the dog for examination.
There are several ways, a second person can hold a dog, to allow you to concentrate on a specific task
such as trimming nails or giving medications etc.
The holder should only apply light pressure at all restraint points. If the dog struggles, the holder
applies greater pressure for additional control. As soon as the animal stops struggling, reduce the
amount of pressure applied. Most animals quickly "learn" to lie still if
you "reward" them with minimal restraint.
To keep a dog lying on its belly (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.  In the position pictured, a
second person could apply eye or ear medications.
Stand on the opposite side from the body part being treated. If the right
eye is being medicated, the holder should stand on the left side of the
dog.

If the feet are being worked with, e.g. front toenails being trimmed, the
muzzle should be held by the holder and should be turned away from the
face of the person performing the toenail trim. The holder is using her
right hand to keep the dog's right front foot still for nail trimming.
If the dog tries to stand, use your upper body to keep the dog lying on
the table.

If the dog raises his/her rear end, the holder should position herself
over the center of the dog with one arm draped over the dog's hips and
the other arm over the shoulders. The holder can use her upper body to
keep the dog's middle on the table. The holder can use her right and to
hold the rear paw still or her left hand to keep the front paw still for
nail trimming.

Placing the dog on its side usually allows the holder to keep the dog more
still compared to a dog lying on its belly.
The holder reaches over the dog and holds the front leg closest to the
table, gripping the leg close to the elbow, NOT close to the paw. The other

Dr. Dipesh Chetri,IAAS

 Veterinary 2nd Semester
arm is draped over the belly and holds the rear leg, which is closest to the table, gripping the leg close
to the body, NOT close to the paw.
If the legs are held close to the paws, the dog has more advantage to
roll themselves back onto their belly than if the legs are held at
points closer to the body.
If the dog tries to lift its head and neck the holder places her elbow over
the neck and gently pushes the head to the table

Large dogs can be restrained in a sitting position on the floor. The holder
should stand with her back against a wall to prevent the dog from scooting
backwards across the floor.
The holder can press the dog's sides between her knees to keep the dog from
moving side to side or from standing up. 
The holder restrains the dog's head away from the person doing the procedure
and stabilizes the head for procedures such as placement of ear and eye
medication

Probably the best technique for holding your dog is to have your
dog sit. One arm is then placed around the dog's neck while the
other one is placed around the dog's rump. This prevents the dog
going forward or back. The hand on the neck can be moved to
have more control of the head or the shoulders as necessary. In
addition, you can angle your body so that it is slightly behind or in
front of the dog if is trying to escape.

Another technique used to restrain large dogs is for the holder to straddle the dog
with one knee on either side of the dog, with the dog lying on the floor.
If the dog tries to stand up, the holder lightly sits on the dog's back. The holder can
control how much weight to place over the dog's back by shifting her weight to and
from her knees. 

As soon as the dog stops trying to stand, the holder shifts all her weight
back to her knees.
In this position, some procedures can be performed by one person. In
this picture the holder is leaning over the dog and trimming the front
nails.
In this position you do not have control over the dog's head and do risk
getting bitten. You may combine this holding technique with the
application of a muzzle.

№ Liability for injury to you or to your pet incurred by practicing these procedures.
Dr. Dipesh Chetri,IAAS