How to Administer Insulin to a Dog

A diagnosis of diabetes can be stressful for both the dog and its owner. If an owner is willing to put forth some time and effort in monitoring the dog's condition on a daily basis, a diabetic dog can live many normal, happy and healthy years.


Step1
Take the insulin out of the refrigerator.


Step2
Roll the vial of insulin gently between the palms of your hands. This warms the insulin, which makes the injection less painful for the dog.


Step3
Take the needle guard off of the syringe.


Step4
Turn the vial stopper side down.


Step5
Insert the needle of the syringe into the vial through the rubber stopper.


Step6
Flush any air out of the syringe. Pull the plunger back, draw in some insulin, and then push the plunger back in, allowing the air and insulin out of the needle and back into the vial. Repeat this step twice.


Step7
Extract the prescribed dose of insulin into the syringe from the upside down vial.


Step8
Thump the syringe gently to insure no bubbles are formed in the insulin dose.


Step9
Replace the needle guard over the needle.


Step10
Return the insulin vial to the refrigerator.

Administer the Insulin


Step1
Place your dog on a table, counter top or kneel on the floor next to your dog so you are at the same level.


Step2
Remove the needle guard from the needle.


Step3
Hold the needle with one hand and gently pick up a fold of the dog's skin with the opposite hand. Squeeze and pull the skin away from the dog's body to form the shape of a triangle or tent.


Step4
Inject the needle through the dog's skin near the base of the "tent" at about a 45 degree angle and press the plunger with your thumb. Be sure that the needle does not come out the other side of the skin.


Step5
Replace the needle guard and dispose of the needle in a puncture resistant container.


Step6
Reward your dog with a veterinarian approved treat and a big hug.

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How to Train Your Dog for a Blind Retreive

The blind retreive is a matter of trust between the dog and the handler. The blind retreive is especially useful for tracking, go-backs, frisbee/ball catching, and directed jumping.




Step1
Teach your dog to retreive the dowel. Meanwhile, establish your dog's visibility limit (how far can the see distinctly?). This is usually done by putting the dowel further and further away from the dog and see the limit of where they go directly to it.


Step2
Place two dowels out, one just short of normal retreiving distance, and the second half that distance beyond it. Send the dog for the first dowel. Upon a successful retreival, re-line up the dog immediately and send them for the second dowel. Most dogs at this point will react in confusion (hey, wait. they didn't set out another object - I would've seen it). If the dog refuses the retreive, direct them to the dowel - even if it means walking the dog all the way and pointing to the dowel. Repeat this step until the dog retreives two dowels in succession.


Step3
Now the building process begins. Add more and more dowels, each 1/2 to full retreival distance beyond the previous dowel. What you are teaching the dog is that, "If I send you for an object, trust me - it's there. You just need to find it".