Veterinary technicians interact directly with the most delightful patients imaginable. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of their work, but it can also be quite challenging. Whether caring for, managing, or restraining animals, it is crucial that veterinary technicians and other handlers use tried-and-tested techniques to enhance both safety and comfort.
Unfortunately, even the most well-meaning handlers are prone to mistakes. These may reflect a lack of training, experience, or split-second oversights. The consequences of these sadly common mistakes can be devastating, including distressed animals, handler injuries, and more. To help avoid such problems, we’ve highlighted five common mistakes that increase stress in both animals and their handlers.
1. Overlooking the Importance of Understanding Animal Behavior
Prior to working with animals, it is essential to recognize what, exactly, drives ‘typical’ behaviors and how environmental factors, health conditions, or past traumas may play into animal interactions.
Without this understanding, it can be easy to misinterpret ordinary animal responses to various settings or situations. Ideally, all animal handlers will understand what ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’ behavior looks like and will also be able to identify when animals demonstrate anxiety or aggression.
Common Mistake
It can be difficult to get into the mind of an animal. While some people appear to have a natural talent for working with animals, most need to develop this through exposure to many different species or breeds. Such exposure is increasingly a must-have for aspiring veterinary technicians, who should have a basic understanding of neurological processes to truly understand and influence animal behavior.1
Aspiring vet techs who don’t take the understanding of animal behavior seriously may struggle to understand animals’ perspectives and use poor handling strategies.
Why It’s a Mistake
If handlers make the wrong assumptions about animal behavior, they are likely to conduct themselves in ways that make animals feel distressed. This could ramp up already concerning situations, leading to potential safety concerns for animals and humans alike.
For example, those who fail to read body signs indicative of anxiety may be too quick to approach animals, even if those animals struggle to make eye contact or tuck their tails. This can make animals feel even more threatened
How to Avoid It
This is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. All that’s needed: committing to a quality education. This could be as simple as reading well-regarded books, veterinary journals, or other trusted publications. Better yet, enroll in courses or degree programs that emphasize animal anatomy and physiology.
Practical learning is also important. This means applying newly developed skills in realistic settings or scenarios under the supervision of skilled professionals.
2. Incorrect Use of Equipment
From harnesses and halters to crates and even muzzles, many tools allow veterinary technicians to handle animals both safely and humanely.2 This equipment is especially paramount when working with aggressive animals, as it can help control movements without causing discomfort. However, when used incorrectly, equipment can prompt significant suffering or may lead to a false sense of security.
Common Mistake
Inexperienced handlers may only be familiar with a few specific types of handling equipment. Some will have only used equipment with a specific breed or with animals of a particular size. Ordinary pet owners are not exposed to the full range of handling equipment, so, prior to embarking on a career in veterinary technology, they must be thoroughly trained in using various types of equipment in many situations or scenarios.
Why It’s a Mistake
The wrong equipment in the wrong situation could pose significant safety hazards. Some equipment may not sufficiently restrain aggressive or dangerous animals, while others may physically harm them or cause emotional suffering. Errors that could cause injuries or distress include:
Not tightening halters sufficiently.
Applying too much force to gates or halters.
Invading animals’ personal space.
Relying on scruffing for cat restraint.
These issues often reflect an assumption that restraint relies exclusively on strength or immobilization. In reality, successful handling involves using the least amount of strength required for the task at hand.3
How to Avoid It
Again, this is where experiential learning and hands-on practice are important. Yes, a conceptual understanding of animal anatomy is necessary, but this should be accompanied by insights into animal psychology and behavior, along with real-world exposure to handling equipment and restraint techniques.
Observing experienced handlers shows that relying on strength isn’t necessary and that equipment is meant to guide, not apply force.
3. Ignoring Proper Training Techniques
Several research-backed training techniques help animals feel calm while also encouraging them to cooperate with handlers. However, these techniques do not always receive the attention they deserve with many pet owners and even some veterinary professionals opting for potentially harmful techniques that rely on punishment or fear.4
Common Mistake
Different training techniques may prove effective in different scenarios. It is the handler’s prerogative to recognize when a specific tactic will prove most valuable, or whether an otherwise trusted technique could potentially exacerbate existing problems. Unfortunately, some handlers adopt a one-size-fits-all approach or rely on outdated methods that emphasize punishment over positive reinforcement.
Why It’s a Mistake
A number of seemingly well-intentioned training strategies can prompt significant behavioral challenges, leading animals to feel fearful or increasing the likelihood of aggression. For instance, alpha training involves forced dominance, which destroys trust and may actually lead to more aggressive behavior.5 Similarly, punishment-based training causes confusion and can irreparably damage the bonds between animals and humans.
How to Avoid It
As always, education is key. Handlers need to be aware not only of which training techniques are most respected, but also when various techniques are most relevant. Also important is staying up to date with research and industry trends, as best practices can evolve based on new studies or other developments.
4. Underestimating the Importance of Crate Training
Crate training helps dogs perceive their crates as safe, comfortable dens in which they can feel calm and confident.6 Veterinary professionals strongly recommend crate training, but they must recognize when animals have not been properly crate trained and how to accommodate them accordingly.
Common Mistake
Many people perceive training as an active pursuit, in which animals learn various commands or gestures. In reality, training also relates to environments and how they are perceived by animals. Crate training does not always receive the attention it deserves, some owners and even veterinary professionals underestimate its importance in helping animals achieve positive outcomes regarding health and well-being.
Why It’s a Mistake
Many situations and circumstances can contribute to animal anxiety, which can have a detrimental impact on behavior. Crate training limits these problems by introducing animals to comfortable, trusted environments, in which they can consistently find a sense of calm.
Without crate training, many owners will have difficulties with housebreaking and may also see increased behavior struggles in confined spaces such as veterinary offices.
How to Avoid It
Crate training should be purposefully built into overarching training efforts. This should take place early on, incorporating treats and toys, along with short periods of crate time that grow progressively longer as the animal gains greater bladder control. As positive associations develop, the crate should continue to be a place of comfort and respite.7
5. Failing to Establish a Bond Before Handling
Animals develop deep bonds with their favorite humans and, while some may attach primarily to a favorite person, they can enjoy positive interactions with many types of people — veterinary professionals included.8
Common Mistake
Veterinarians and vet techs love working with animals and frequently cite animal bonds as one of the main reasons they enter this field in the first place. Despite this, some rush through handling processes and neglect to develop the bonds they claim to find so meaningful.
Why It’s a Mistake
Without the emotional comfort of a human bond, animals can suffer significant distress. This is especially evident when placed in unfamiliar and potentially overstimulating environments such as the veterinary office.
If animals do not feel secure, veterinary technicians may struggle with basic handling, as stressed animals are more likely to lash out. This can quickly escalate, creating a harmful spiral that places both animals and veterinary professionals at risk.
How to Avoid It
Never rush animal interactions or assume that animals will ‘go with the flow.’ Take the time to develop a genuine bond. This could be as simple as speaking to the animal in a soft tone and allowing it to get familiar with your scent.
From the owner’s perspective, bonding with veterinary professionals should also involve consistency. Ideally, pets will visit the same clinic, beginning when they are puppies and continuing throughout their lives.
Discover the Nuances of Animal Handling With Carrington College
Interested in taking your passion for animal care to the next level? Explore Carrington College’s Veterinary Technology program, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and the skills to thrive in the veterinary field. Start your journey today and make a difference in the lives of animals!
Sources
- Carrington College. “2023-2024 Academic Catalog.” https://docs.carrington.edu/catalog/carrington-college.pdf
- The Humane Society of the United States: Rural Area Veterinary Services. “Animal Handling and Restraint.” https://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Animal_Handling.pdf
- Zoonosis Control. “Animal Capture and Handling.” Texas Department of State Health Services. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LIDS-Zoonosis/ACO/BASCAPT14.pdf
- Chrobak, U. “Punishment, Puppies, and Science: Bringing Dog Training to Heel.” Undark Magazine. https://undark.org/2022/09/12/punishment-puppies-and-science-bringing-dog-training-to-heel/
- Animal Health Foundation. “Debunking the “Alpha Dog” Theory.” https://www.animalhealthfoundation.org/blog/2019/11/debunking-the-alpha-dog-theory/
- Arford, K. “Crate Training Benefits: Why a Crate Is Great for You and Your Dog.” American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-crate-training-is-great-for-your-dog/
- Sharpe, S. “How to Crate Train Your Dog in Nine Easy Steps.” American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-crate-train-your-dog-in-9-easy-steps/
- American Veterinary Medical Association. “Human-animal interaction and the human-animal bond.” https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/human-animal-interaction-and-human-animal-bond