Cooperative Care Workshop

Ever wondered if your dog really wants to participate in necessary acts of husbandry and care, like grooming, nail clipping, vet visits? Or is your dog merely tolerating these procedures?

Have you ever heard of Cooperative Care? Co-operative care is a way in which your dog can become a willing participant in the process because they know they can “say no” if they experience anxiety or stress.

Cooperative care involves training an animal to not only tolerate handling and husbandry procedures, but to be an active, willing participant in these experiences. 

Cooperative care techniques are employed throughout zoos, where potentially dangerous animals need to be cared for, preferably without physical or chemical restraint.  Lions, tigers, etc can be taught to offer their tail for a blood draw, and gorillas can be taught to sit still for cardiac ultrasounds. Watch this video to see how zoos employ co-operative care Link

Life becomes…