We are going slowly

I'd begun by allowing Kwali to lick my hand briefly. Then I'd lifted her paw, which lay on my hand, and she continued licking. Now, I have closed my thumb gently over Kwali's paw, and she continues licking, with no alarm at all.

Take things one step at a time

Giving injections and pricking for blood samples doesn't take very long, if you have practiced with the equipment.

The dog needs practice too!

At first, this experience is new to you, and also, new to your dog! If you stay a few steps ahead, doing your practice and study, you can help the dog cooperate.

Remember to breathe. Singing and crooning helps!

If you sing and croon to your dog, you must necessarily be breathing. This is a useful thing to do - breathe!

Your breathing, singing, crooning, or light gigglng, will help soothe your dog, and yourself as well.

Use the canine calming signals

Learn, study, and use the canine calming signals. See the work of Turid Rugaas. Links to her sites are down the right sides of the main pages on Coherent Dog.

You will also find a basic article, Calming Signals

Go at your dog's pace.

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