Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats: Techniques for Developing Patients Who Love Their Visits

by Sophia Yin

Dr. Sophia Yin, author of the Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook, is a veterinarian, applied animal behaviorist, author, and speaker. Her passion for animals and their proper handling and restraint led her to spend hundreds of hours on this project - a new book and instructional DVD set focused on the most humane techniques that reduce stress for people and pets. The book and DVD feature: * More than 1,600 photos that show practicing veterinarians and students how to handle dogs and cats correctly * Explanations of what vets think they're doing right but may actually be doing wrong * Three hours of video clips with voiceover narratives that show correct and incorrect handling procedures.

By using this training tool, vets will: * Be able to implement the most up-to-date handling techniques * Learn how to restrain animals correctly through behavior modification that does not involve coercion, dominance, or other negative training methods * Increase efficiency because patients will willingly comply with procedures * Stop perpetuating behavior problems in patients * Create a safer environment for themselves and and their team with fewer bites, scratches, and back injuries * Improve the bond between vet, pet, and client.

This new book and DVD quickly and painlessly teaches how to handle dogs and cats with ease and grace, showing veterinarians how to impress clients and create patients who willingly comply with treatments and procedures. This visual guide is the result of hundreds of hours of research and a dedication to intelligent and compassionate behavior modification in animals. Over 1,600 photos and three hours of video clips make it easy to recognize poor handling methods that can cause behavior issues for a lifetime. Dr. Yin shows the wrong way, and then the right way, to clearly illustrate exactly how and why a pet reacts the way she does. The benefits of low-stress handling are tremendous; practicing these refined handling skills will create a safer work environment, increase efficiency, and ultimately improve the bond between vet, pet, and client.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals

236 pages, ebook

First published June 15, 2009

About the author

Dr. Sophia Yin is a veterinarian, applied animal behaviorist, and the author of many books, including Perfect Puppy in 7 Days, How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves, and Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats (book and DVD). She sees behavior house calls and lectures and teaches workshops on animal behavior, training, and low-stress pet handling in the U.S. and internationally. She writes for a number of veterinary and popular magazines, and was for five years the award-winning pet columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. She has consulted for several zoos and served as a behavior expert for TV shows such as Animal Planet’s Dogs 101. Dr. Yin’s mission in life is to improve our understanding of animals and their behavior so that we can care for, appreciate, and enjoy our time with them better. Learn more at her animal behavior website, drsophiayin.com.

Reviews

[Onewooga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any clinic. The towel holds have made a huge difference in dealing with fractious cats. Some of what she demonstrates seems so basic, but we actually often don't follow her guidelines. Sophia Yin is a behaviorist I turn to for a lot of behavior problems; her website is a fabulous resource for veterinarians and clients. Plus, buying the book allows the purchaser to download some great how-to handouts that have wonderful pictures. Well worth the price.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for anyone that works with dogs and cats, especially those in a veterinary environment. All techniques described in the book are fully illustrated with over 1,600 photographs included in the book, and a supplemental DVD also contains "live action" examples of many of the behaviors and techniques.

Below is a breakdown of the concepts covered in this book:

Section 1: Recognizing the Early Signs of Problems: Fear; Dominance vs Unruly Behavior;
Section 2: How Animals Learn to Behave and Misbehave: Classical Conditioning; Operant Conditioning Basics; Methods of Behavior Modification
Section 3: From House to Hospital Exam Room-Making a Good First Impression: Preparing Pets for Hospital Visits; Preparing the Environment for the Pet's Visit; Exam Room Tips; Moving Dogs Around the Facility; Transporting Cats Within the Hospital;
Section 4: Low-Stress Restraint Techniques: General Handling Principles; Restraint for Standard Positions in Dogs; Canine Restrain for Procedures; Dealing with Difficult Dogs; Restraint for Standard Positions in Cats; Restraining Cats for Procedures; Handling Difficult Cats;
Section 5: Preventing and Reversing Problems: Counterconditioning Protocols for Dogs and Cats; Preventive Behavioral Health for Puppies; Preventive Behavioral Health for Kittens

[Krysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ESSENTIAL text for every veterinary clinic or animal shelter. One of the best resources for training staff from veterinarians to volunteers on how to appropriately handle patients. I wish it had an index, but I have heard that the new edition will. The DVD is also a nice feature, but it is hard to navigate.

[Vikas Makkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low Stress Handling Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats: Techniques for Developing Patients Who Love Their Visits

[K.A. Krisko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just about covers every low-stress positioning technique for dogs and cats in veterinary care. Lots of good info on operant and classical conditioning and tons of photos. Probably unnecessary for anyone who's not a vet tech, it's still good for people with difficult to handle dogs to get a few ideas.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable resource and reference book if you handle dogs.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that teaches how to handle animals without stressing them out too much. There are so many wonderful images showing the correct and incorrect way to restrain both cats and dogs. This book would be useful for anyone who works in the pet industry. I really liked the emphasis on counter conditioning and desensitization. I also appreciate the brief history on dominance theory.