Use the Muttgyver Way to Quickly Restrain an Injured Dog
Unfortunately, our dogs do not live in protective bubbles. They can get injured or sick and need our help pronto.
That’s why as a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor and founder of Pet First Aid 4U, I realize that we don’t always have a pet first aid kit or are near a veterinary clinic when our dog – or a client’s dog – gets injured. This motivated me to create my Muttgyver™ program.
In this blog, I am going to share with you one of my most effective Muttgyver techniques that I share with my students in class. I will teach you how to quickly restrain an injured dog with items you have within reach: a leash and for some breeds, a bath towel or sweatshirt. You need to quickly apply these makeshift restraints when the dog is conscious, in pain and not choking.
But first, let’s acknowledge these three facts:
Any dog can bite anyone when in pain.
The power of the bite by a dog comes from the lower jaw. So, you need to quickly take action to prevent the lower jaw from opening with force.
The most important being to protect in a dog injury situation is you. You can’t help an injured dog if you get attacked and bitten.
Now, dogs come in all sizes and shapes. That’s why I needed to come up with two Muttgyver restraint methods to accommodate dogs with long muzzles (like Labrador retrievers, German Shepherds and Dachshunds) and dogs with pushed-in faces (like French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers).
In my pet first aid/CPR classes, I demonstrate how the two makeshift restraint methods on the amiable Pet Safety Dog Kona, a terrier mix.
Step-by-Step Guide for Dogs with Long Muzzles
Many dogs have protruding muzzles. Grab a six-foot nylon leash, the drawstrings from your hoodie or even long sneaker laces. Here are the steps:
1. Approach the dog from the back for your safety. Never do a face off with an injured dog.
2. Hold the two ends of the leash in the air in what looks like a happy smile.
3. Make a loop with the two ends of the leash. Make it a little bigger than the dog’s muzzle.
4. Grab this loop with your two hands and quickly place it over the dog’s muzzle. Pull for a snug fit to prevent the lower jaw from opening.
5. Make a second loop and tie it under the chin.
6. Pull the ends of the leash toward you and make a third and final tie at the back of the neck.
7. Secure it by tying it like you do for your shoelaces. If the dog starts choking, this method will enable you to quickly release the leash and provide aid to your dog.
The Finished Muzzle
Here is a photo of a Husky mix fitted with this Muttgyver restraint method.
Step-by-Step Guide for Dogs with Pushed-In Faces
The technique word to describe smush-faced breeds is called brachycephalic. Frenchies, American Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boxers, Pugs and more require two items to safely restrain when you need to administer pet first aid: a six-foot nylon leash AND a bath towel.
Kona is a terrier, but using our imagination in class, she – poof! – becomes a French Bulldog. Using a leash and a bath towel, here is the Muttgyver technique to use on a brachycephalic breed:
1. Fold a bath towel in half on a table or floor.
2. Position the folded side toward you.
3. Then lay down the leash horizontally across the towel – about two inches from the folded site.
4. Steadily roll the leash inside the towel all the way to the end.
5. Lift up the rolled towel (yep, it does look like a floppy pool noodle) and coming from behind, place the rolled towel under the dog’s chin.
6. Pull the ends of the towel from the back of the dog. With one hand, grab the ends of the leash and snuggly tie it like you do for your shoelaces.
The thick towel is wide and thick, preventing the lower jaw from opening and causing injury to you. At the same time, the towel is soft so that it does not put pressure on the dog’s trachea.
Here Kona “pretends” to be a French bulldog so you can see the final results.
The towel method is ideal for brachycephalic breeds with “smooshed” faces.
Enroll Today for Your Pet’s Sake!
Yep, it’s true. Pet First Aid 4U is the only pet safety company to offer three ways for you to learn and earn veterinarian-approved two-year certificates in pet first aid/CPR. Your options:
In-person classes primarily aimed at pet professionals.
Interactive via ZOOM classes are offered once a month and on demand. We have taught students in New Zealand, South Africa, Egypt, Greece and many other countries.
Self-paced online for those who prefer to learn anytime, anywhere on their own schedule. This is our latest option because we are on a mission to get more people – pet professionals and pet parents to really learn first aid and to know what to do – and what NOT to do – in a pet emergency.
Got dog? Got cat? Or got both? Sign up for one of our Pet First Aid 4U classes today – for your pet’s sake.
About the Author:
Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, is a Master Pet First Aid/CPR Instructor who teaches veterinarian-approved, hands-on safety courses alongside her teaching team of Kona (dog) and Casey (cat). Known as “The Pet First Aid & Safety Coach,” Arden is also a nationally recognized behavior consultant, bestselling author of over 25 pet books, and the award-winning host of the “Oh Behave!” podcast. A Fear Free Certified Professional, she brings decades of pet expertise to all her endeavors — with a mission to help pets live safer, longer and healthier lives.
