Methods for preparing a dairy animal for milking

A method for preparing for and initiating a milking process on a dairy animal teat that is disposed in a teat cup and liner, the method in sequence comprising:

• prior to milking a dairy animal, providing a teat cup and a liner disposed at least partially within the teat cup;
• placing a teat of the dairy animal within the liner;
• closing the liner off from a good milk line;
• applying a teat sanitizer to the teat;
• directing air into the liner to force at least some of the teat sanitizer toward the teat and a first milk line connected to the liner;
• pulsating the liner at a first pulsation rate to distribute the teat sanitizer about the teat;
• directing a rinsing fluid into the first milk line;
• directing the teat sanitizer, the air, and the rinsing fluid through the first milk line to a waste milk line;
• pulsating the liner at a second pulsation rate to draw good milk from the teat;
• closing the liner off from the waste milk line;
• opening the liner to the good milk line;
• and
• directing the good milk to the good milk line.