Exercise 3-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates simulated blood draw AND injection including tenting/pinching of skin with 5 second hold.
Handler performs simulated injection to central shoulder blades or hip, AND blood draw to the front of a front leg or the back of a back leg. For the injection use one hand to gently grasp and pull the skin slightly away from the body (tenting). For the blood draw use one hand to restrain the leg. With an empty syringe or syringe substitute the handler applies moderate pressure to the area for 5 seconds. Can be done in either order.
Exercise 3-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates simulated blood draw AND injection including tenting/pinching of skin with 5 second hold.
Handler performs simulated injection to central shoulder blades or hip, AND blood draw to the front of a front leg or the back of a back leg. For the injection use one hand to gently grasp and pull the skin slightly away from the body (tenting). For the blood draw use one hand to restrain the leg. With an empty syringe or syringe substitute the handler applies moderate pressure to the area for 5 seconds. Can be done in either order.
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 restraint, pinching, poking, and pressure 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 two parts of the exercise can be performed in any order.
The trainer will choose an “injection site” on either the middle of the shoulder blades or over one hip. The trainer will pull up (tent) the skin on the site and perform a simulated injection using an empty syringe or other substitute. Light pressure should be applied for at least 5 seconds.
The trainer will choose a “blood draw site” on either 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 5 seconds.
Scoring: In order to pass this exercise the dog must calmly and willingly hold still while the trainer performs the procedures.
Non-qualifiers: The dog will not hold relatively still throughout both procedures. The trainer has to use strong physical restraint or constant verbal cues throughout the procedures. The trainer does not hold pressure on the blood draw and injection sites for at least 5 seconds each.
Tips: You can work up to the types of touch needed for these procedures by laying a foundation of restraint and slight pinching and pulling on different parts of your dog’s body. Combine this with the introduction of poking with an empty syringe. Make it part of the games you play together!
Video example: