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

From the author that brought you The Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook,. Dr. Sophia Yin's Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modifications for Dogs and Cats will teach you:
* Safer and more effective methods than scruffing or stretching of cats and using the rabies pole in dogs;
* Eight toweling methods to help keep cats calm;
* Comfortable techniques for drawing blood in cats and repositioning pets;
* Body postures and positions you and your staff may unconsciously exhibit that make your patients misbehave.

This book and DVD set features:
* More than 1,600 photos and three hours of video clips with voiceover narratives
* What you think you're doing right, but may actually be doing wrong
* Step-by-step, illustrated counter-conditioning protocols for common procedures
* Client handouts and consent forms

What reviewers are saying...

APDT CHRONICLE OF THE DOG
This fantastic tome belongs on every trainer's bookshelf, as well as in every veterinary clinic and shelter in America. Is that endorsement an overstatement? Absolutely not! Dr. Yin's new book is the ultimate guide for new and experienced trainers and anyone who regularly deals with animals and who wants to learn about gentle, humane techniques. Despite the hefty price, this book is worth it and then some. The book is packed with 1,600 full-color photographs demonstrating a variety of handling techniques and a DVD with three hours worth of video to accompany the text in the book. The DVD makes both an invaluable educational guide for yourself and can also be used to demonstrate specific behaviors to clients. If that's not enough, owning the book gives you access to information on Dr. Yin's Web site including PDF files of client handouts on behavior, and several entire chapters (1, 9, 11 and 15) online. Some of the client handouts include Training Dogs to Love Receiving Oral Medications, Training Dogs to Love Having Their Collar Grabbed, Training Dogs (and Cats) to Love Wearing a Muzzle, and Training Dogs and Cats to Love Having Their Ears Handled. The book begins with a discussion of how to recognize the early signs of fear and aggression in dogs and the factors the lead to worsening of these behaviors in dog and cats. The second chapter, Dominance Vs. Unruly Behavior, delves into a lengthy discussion of the role of dominance in training and how our understandings of it have evolved over the years. (An abridged version of this chapter can be found in the March/April 2009 issue of The APDT Chronicle of the Dog). In section two, Dr. Yin then goes into an explanation of how animals learn and the basics of learning theory, an understanding of which is a must for any trainer or behavior consultant, and this section can be particularly useful for trainers studying for their certification. She closes the first section of the book with an examination of behavior modification methods, and how they are used and misused. The third section of the book presents step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your dog or cat for positive interactions at the veterinary clinic. The instructions are presented both with text and clear, full-color photographs that are easy to follow. Section four covers low-stress restraint techniques for use in the veterinary setting. Again, instructions are presented with both detailed text and photographs. All of the techniques she describes are focused on decreasing an animal's stress, and no doubt these techniques also lead to a reduction of injuries to clinic staff. If you are a trainer working with your local veterinary clinic and trying to demonstrate positive methods, I suggest bringing this book with you as an instructional tool that is sure to impress and engage your audience. In fact, I kept a copy of this book at the APDT's educational booths at veterinary conferences this past year and found it to be an incredibly useful avenue for broaching the subject of training and handling methods. The book's final section, Preventing and Reversing Problems, presents detailed protocols for a variety of counterconditioning situations common to dogs and cats (i.e. toenail trims, injections, grooming). She concludes with recommendations for steps to prevent behavioral problems with puppies and kittens. If you buy one book this year on dog training and behavior, I urge you to consider Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats as your choice. While it priced higher than most books that trainers and behavior counselors will consider, it is well worth the price and you will find yourself referring to this book again and again, as well as using it with clients and other dog care professionals to discuss animal behavior and the benefits of using positive, low-stress methods. Mychelle Blake