Exercise 2-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates 3 seconds of simulated blood draw from front or back leg.
The handler will perform a simulated blood draw from either the front of a front leg OR the back of a back leg. This will include restraint of the leg and a fake “poke” by placing pressure one a single spot with an empty syringe or syringe substitute. The pressure from the poke should last for at least 3 seconds.
Exercise 2-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates 3 seconds of simulated blood draw from front or back leg.
The handler will perform a simulated blood draw from either the front of a front leg OR the back of a back leg. This will include restraint of the leg and a fake “poke” by placing pressure on a single spot with an empty syringe or syringe substitute. The pressure from the poke should last for at least 3 seconds.
Purpose: All dogs will require both blood draws and immunizations as part of their regular veterinary care. Our goal is to make the process surrounding the actual needle stick a common and neutral event. We are also working to simulate a poke so that this particular type of sensation is not surprising or frightening.
Equipment: An empty (needle-less) syringe or other appropriate syringe substitute. Treats.
Exercise set-up: The dog can be in any comfortable position and in any orientation to the trainer. The trainer will choose a “blood draw site” either on the front of a front leg or the back of a back leg. The trainer will immobilize the leg and then use an empty syringe or other substitute and put light pressure on the site for at least 3 seconds.
Scoring: In order to pass this exercise the dog must willingly hold still while the trainer restrains a leg with one hand and performs the fake blood draw with the other.
Non-qualifiers: The dog will not hold relatively still throughout the exercise. The trainer has to use strong physical restraint or constant verbal cues throughout the exercise. The trainer does not hold pressure on the blood draw site for at least 3 seconds.
Tips: You can work up to the types of touch needed for this exercise by laying a foundation beginning with stroking, then adding more pressure, then slightly pinching and pulling on different parts of your dog’s body. Combine this with restraint and manipulation of a leg. Make it part of the games you play together!
Video example: