Behavior and enrichment

Question 1

3 pillars of wellbeing

Answer 1

Social, physical and mental

Question 2

Common reason for rehoming/relinquishment

Answer 2

behavioral problems, pet problems, health problems

Question 3

What makes the shelter environment an unnatural environment?

Answer 3

loud noises, confinement, new people and animals

Question 4

Negative behaviors created by stress in a shelter

Answer 4

anxiety, barrier and food aggression

Question 5

Stereotypies (repetition of an act for no specific reason) are developed and affected most due to what?

Answer 5

length of stay - how long does it take to develop these behaviors? dog dependent but anywhere from days to months

Question 6

Average length of stay

Answer 6

approximately 2 weeks

Question 7

A cooperative or ______ animal can be just as damaging to an animal’s psyche as a fighting animal

Answer 7

shut down

Question 8

Role of a DVM in behavioral wellness

Answer 8

daily evaluation rounds, training animal training, focus on prevention, behavioral emergencies, ID bottlenecks keeping animals from being adopted out

Question 9

Examples of behavioral emergencies

Answer 9

learned helplessness, stereotypies

Question 10

Effective way to ID behavioral trends and document them

Answer 10

behavioral forms

Question 11

4 goals of behavioral program

Answer 11

increase adoption
decrease public safety risks
increase quality of life
decrease chances of them being re-surrendered

Question 12

What is the problem with behavioral assessments?

Answer 12

They give a lot of false negatives - animals can become more reactive later than can initially identifiable. There should be more assessments of an animals behavior - socialization groups, walks, foster, medical exam, staff observation

Question 13

Basic needs for behavioral wellness

Answer 13

• separated areas for activities
• place to hide
• be able to stand and lie down at full length
• routine
• separate species
• encourage species specific behaviors

Question 14

taking away a negative stimulus is acceptable enrichment, true or false?

Answer 14

false, basic comfortable is necessary and cannot be considered enrichment

Question 15

Benefit of hiding places and compartmentalized areas

Answer 15

giving the option of choice

Question 16

Treatment for behaviorally unwell animals

Answer 16

• behavior modification
• enrichment
• positive reinforcement training
• pharmaceutical therapy

Question 17

Things that determine if you are fit to rehabilitate certain animals

Answer 17

• can you keep them separate
• set checkpoints
• can your staff comfortable handle rehabilitation

Question 18

When is euthanasia considered a humane option

Answer 18

if you cannot complete basic necessities (feeding, walking, cleaning)

Question 19

Option if you are not fit for rehabilitation

Answer 19

• euthanasia (very serious, take steps necessary to determine if this is the only option)
• transfer (with full transparency)

Question 20

Types of enrichment

Answer 20

• olfactory
• auditory
• tactile
• physical
• visual
• taste
• social

Question 21

canine specific enrichment

Answer 21

• play group
• feeder toys
• scent activities
• training
• music

Question 22

feline specific enrichment

Answer 22

• toys
• scratching
• window access
• scent activities
• cat grass
• cat TV

Question 23

Kitten socialization

Answer 23

• start handling at 2-3 weeks
• allow supervised roaming 5-6 weeks
• Key socialization period 2-12 weeks

Question 24

risk of disease _____ every five days

Answer 24

doubles

Question 25

Puppy socialization

Answer 25

3-8 weeks - dog to dog socialization
5-12 dog to human socialization
10-20 weeks for new socializations
3 months is critical period –> sociability outweighs fears

Question 26

How to enrich long term stay animals

Answer 26

bring them into the office, go for a day trip, alternatives to cage or kennel

Question 27

Puppies need occasional alone time - true or false?

Answer 27

True, they need quiet time to sleep and relax