Know your Basic Animal Handling Tips

When muzzling a dog go from his side and try not to put your hands over his face, instead, come from behind the dog as this is much safer and means minimal stress for your dog friend.

• To make an emergency muzzle use available material and tie a loop around the dog’s nose, make sure it’s not too loose or too tight, now tie it and secure it under the chin then behind the ears.
• Never pick up a rabbit by its ears, it’s the equivalent of someone pulling you up by your hair!
• When picking up a rabbit, always support its hind quarters to avoid spinal injury. Many rabbits jump after being picked up and end up with broken backs, avoid this at all cost by holding and securing its legs. Surprisingly this will calm the rabbit rather than cause any stress.
• When picking up a big dog place one hand under the chest and the other hand under the abdomen or around the hind legs, then hold the dog against your body and lift.
• When picking up a cat, use both hands to pick it up by the tummy, then hold it by your chest and use both hands to secure it, speak reassuringly to make your cat friend feel safe.

article by Karliah McGregor