Introducing Cooperative Care

Posted on September 17th, 2022.

Many dogs struggle with groomer or vet visits, and when they do, they are often labelled dramatic or high maintenance and the underlying cause of their behavior is often overlooked.

Most grooming and general practice veterinary visits require procedures getting done within a specific scheduled time. 

While it’s efficient and necessary from a business perspective, this approach doesn’t help your dog learn more positive associations or confidence. In fact, pushing ahead when your dog is scared just makes things worse over time.

However, when we recognize some of these displays as signals of fear, discomfort, anxiety or frustration, instead of difficult or stubborn, we can start to put a plan in place to help our dogs feel safe and secure.

Cooperative care is the process of training for the day to day procedures and behaviors that are necessary for an animal's physical health and wellbeing; in a manner that decreases anxiety and increases emotional comfort and trust.

The foundation of cooperative care is that animals that have a choice, and have a positive association with an activity, are more likely to opt into that activity.

Some guiding principles:

· The dog has the right to give and withdraw consent

· The dog has a true understanding of what will happen when they give consent

· Dog guardians respect their dog’s choices and act accordingly.

By creating a positive emotional response to various grooming and veterinary procedures, as well as handling and examinations, we can provide our pets with the care they need in a low-stress manner.

Hard work being patient while practicing cooperative care has many benefits:

· A more confident dog who willingly participates in their own care.

· Improvements in your dog’s quality of life.

· Creates less stressful events for you as a dog guardian.

· Proactively prepares your dog for future procedures.

· Builds a relationship that is built on mutual communication and trust.

In an upcoming ORCA Foundation webinar, Dr. Emily Hall, DVM, CCRT, CPAT-KA is going to talk in more detail about cooperative care. Join us for tips on cooperative care so you can get started on helping your fur friend be empowered to be part of their own medical and husbandry care!

SIGN UP FOR THE FREE WEBINAR BY FILLING OUT THE INFORMATION BELOW!

If you are too excited to wait to learn more about Cooperative Care, the best place to start is with the following resources:

· Fear Free- https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/

· Chirag Patel’s Bucket Game https://youtu.be/GJSs9eqi2r8

· ABMA Term Glossary- https://www.theabma.org/images/userfiles/files/ABMA%20Glossary.pdf

· AZA Position Statements- https://www.aza.org/board-approved-policies-and-position-statements?locale=en

· Zoospensefull https://zoospensefull.com

· Animal Behaviour Training Concepts - Laura Monaco Torelli, https://www.lauramonacotorelli.com/ready-set-groomer-vet

-Written by: Emily Hall, DVM, CCRT, CPAT-KA