We cannot force our clients to take our recommendations. We can ask why they are resistant and listen. Creative, empathetic use of both less stressful care and appropriate medications can help reduce a client’s resistance to their use.

Follow these steps to stop an older puppy jumping on you during exams, and demonstrate how to get the dog to learn pets only happened when all paws are “4 on the floor”.

In this article, I will describe some important aspects about handling rabbits and guinea pigs in a veterinary setting. As prey species, the importance of low-stress handling becomes even more vital.

The following photos and text are demonstrating towel wrapping. Remember to practice your technique on a stuffed animal. Loose wrapping can allow space for struggling which can result in injury.

This hold controls direction in 6 ways to reduce movement and provide staff safety from head flip or bite attempts. Combine this technique with targeting to help the dog focus and learn to stand in place for blood draw, injection, palpation, and nail trims.

This type of restraint is called the “cowl technique.” A pillowcase, flannel baby blanket, or thin hand towel is rolled into a tube and wrapped quickly around the neck like a doughnut to hold the head. The point of restraint is like scruffing but does not create the association of pain with hands or handling.