Page 155 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals 139

(a) (b)

FIGURE 8.41 Large dog floor restraint.

person uses her arms to encircle the neck and thorax,
the other encircles the abdomen and goes around the
back end of the dog (Figure 8.42). On the count of
three, lift simultaneously and place the dog on the table
(Figure 8.43). The person in charge of the front end of
the dog resumes full control of the dog on the table.

Learning Exercise
Practice! The only way to become proficient at
the restraint techniques listed is to practice. If
FIGURE 8.42 Lifting a large dog. you have pets at home they are now your prac-
tice aids! If you have a stuffed animal practice
on that. Have your roommate or family member
push down on the hips as you lift on the chin, if it’s a dog move it about and bark or growl! If school will
say, “sit!” Once the patient is sitting, slide one arm over the allow it book practice times. If you volunteer at
shoulders and in tandem with the other hand slide the a rescue ask if you could practice there. Record
front feet forward. Keeping the one arm over the shoulder, how things went, how did the different animals
reach up to grasp the chin in tandem with the other hand respond to being held in the various holds? Did
to steady the head. Or with the arm over the shoulder you learn anything new while practicing?
encircle the neck with that arm and use the other to
occlude the cephalic vein (Figure 8.40). Be able to switch
hands to hold the other leg as needed.
Working with large dogs often requires you to either
squat down or to kneel with one knee and fold or sit on Restraint Equipment
the other leg (Figure 8.41). In Figure 8.41 note how the
student is squatting over the dog and she is in the corner On occasion, a patient may be too naughty to get close to
not the dog. This prevents the dog from feeling trapped. it, but whether it is scared, territorial, or aggressive, a
Lifting large dogs should be a team effort. It is impor- restraint devise that can be used is the capture pole
tant to note that years of lifting dogs over 45 lb, especially (Figure 8.44). The capture pole has a loop that can be
by yourself, will take its toll on your back. Extend your closed by pulling back on the end of the pole. It is
work life by asking for help when lifting and always use designed so that you cannot choke an animal but will
your legs to lift, not your back! To lift a large dog as a hold the body away from the handlers. Use the capture
duo, stand shoulder to shoulder with the dog placed per- pole to secure the head while another person can give a
pendicular to your legs. Squat down beside the dog, one sedative (Figure 8.45).