Published in Animals, the study by Amber D. Carroll, Alissa Cisneros, Hannah Porter, Carly Moody, and A. Stellato analyzed responses from 1,176 dog owners to better understand perceptions of 13 handling techniques used during routine veterinary appointments. Owners evaluated these techniques across three scenarios: when their dog was calm, fearful, or aggressive.
Across all scenarios, owners generally disagreed with high-restraint methods such as full-body restraint, muzzle holds, and the use of dog masks. Conversely, they strongly endorsed minimal-restraint approaches, aligning closely with current veterinary recommendations supporting low-stress, welfare-centered handling.
Patterns emerged regarding demographic influences. Owners with veterinary work experience were more likely to approve the use of full-body restraint on fearful dogs, while owners with stronger attachment to their pets preferred minimal restraint in similar contexts. Gender and dog size also shaped perspectives, with male owners and those of medium/large dogs more accepting of full-body restraint.
Despite these differences, the overarching trend was remarkably consistent: owners overwhelmingly favor gentle, low-restraint handling whenever possible. The authors emphasize that integrating owner perspectives into clinical decision-making may enhance trust, reduce stress for dogs, improve caregiver compliance, and promote routine veterinary care—an essential component of long-term canine health.
Source: Carroll, A. D., Cisneros, A., Porter, H., Moody, C., and Stellato, A. (2022). Dog Owner Perceptions of Veterinary Handling Techniques. Animals. Published 27 May 2022.
