Animal Handling
Giving your dog or cat a health check and taking them for veterinary treatment when necessary are important parts of being a responsible owner.
However some dogs and cats don’t seem to realise this handling is for their own good and do everything they can to avoid it, as Pete and Claire found with their eight-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dodger. Sally, one of Battersea’s Behaviourists, was on hand to offer some advice.
Pete explains: “We’ve had Dodger since he was a tiny puppy and in general he has settled in really well. He’s great with our six-year-old daughter, Molly, and has quickly learnt some basic commands. The problems start if we have to restrain him for any reason – he struggles, throws himself about and has also started to ‘mouth’ at the hands of whoever is holding him. He’s worse at the vets but there are now problems at home when we try to do things like dry his feet after a walk. Often we just give up and let him go. We’re worried the problem will get worse if we don’t act now.”
Sally says: “Dodger is a young dog who loves being around people but isn’t keen on being kept in one place, especially when it means unpleasant things like vet treatments. He has quickly learnt that if he struggles hard enough, he will manage to get out of it. This doesn’t mean that you should persevere with struggling and battling with Dodger. Raising your voice and fighting with him will agitate him further and provoke him into struggling harder, meaning his ‘mouthing’ is likely to get worse.
Instead, we need to work on changing Dodger’s perception of handling and make it something that he is relaxed about and enjoys rather than tries to avoid.
Save up some tasty treats and then pick a time when Dodger is calm and relaxed. Stroke him on his back and then reward him with a treat. Gradually work up to stroking areas which would normally trigger the struggling, such as his feet or around his collar. As he becomes relaxed with this and begins to understand that touch equals a reward, you can start to make the touches last longer and work up to actually holding his collar. Keep the sessions short and go back a stage if Dodger starts to struggle.
Use one hand to stroke him and the other to give him the treat – otherwise he will follow the scent of food on your hand as you go to stroke him, causing him to move around. Remember to make sure your body language stays relaxed and keep your voice calm – this will help Dodger to stay calm. Also, don’t forget to praise Dodger when he is doing the right thing and not struggling.”
