Behavioral Problems: Cats & Dogs

Question 1

What are the two categories of behavior problems?

Answer 1

1. Normal
2. Abnormal

Question 2

What are normal behaviors? (4)

Answer 2

1. Vocalizing
2. Biting
3. Chewing
4. Urinating

Question 3

Vocalizing, biting, chewing, & urinating are all ___ behaviors that still may be a ___ for the owner. These behaviors can also indicate a ____ issue.

Answer 3

1. Normal
2. Problem; issue
3. Medical

Question 4

What are some abnormal behaviors? (3)

Answer 4

1. Anxiety
2. Phobias
3. Compulsive disorders

Question 5

Lip licking in cats
Meaning
Solution

Answer 5

1. Stress, nausea, anxiety
2. Provide space to hide. Ideally up high & away.

Question 6

Flat ears in cats
Meaning
Solution

Answer 6

1. Stress, frightened
2. Provide place to hide & get up high

Question 7

Rubbing cheeks on surfaces or legs
Meaning

Answer 7

Scent marking

Question 8

Slow blink in cats

Answer 8

Relaxed in your presences!
Try doing it back then turning your head away.

Question 9

Exposed belly in cats
Meaning

Answer 9

Greeting! They are relaxed around you & have trust.
Respond by giving soft head rubs, not the belly!

Question 10

Purring in cats
Meaning

Answer 10

Content, attention seeking, pain/discomfort, &/or stress

Question 11

T/F: It is important to listen to the owner & how they’re saying it

Answer 11

True!
Their body language can tell us a lot about the O intentions

Question 12

Treatment steps for behavior issues (4)

Answer 12

1. Management
2. Training
3. Behavior modification
4. Medication

Question 13

Tx management (6)

Answer 13

1. Crate (properly trained)
2. Baby gates
3. Tethers - a book, training w/tether
4. Harnesses
5. Head halter
6. Muzzles

Question 14

T/F: Collars cannot cause damage

Answer 14

False. They can cause damage (ex: trachea)

Question 15

T/F: Patient just needs to tolerate methods such as crates & head harnesses

Answer 15

False. It is best to make them LOVE it!

Question 16

Management Tx
Motivators & distractors should be ___ to the animal. It they are, they can be used in behavior ___. If they aren’t, you need to find the ___ one.

Answer 16

1. Fun
2. Modification
3. Right; new

Question 17

Motivators & Distractors (3)

Answer 17

1. KONG
   - Attention & anxiety: Eating & anxiety are not compatible
2. Food puzzles - DIY, complex, snuffle mat
3. Cameras: Get data & monitor progress
   - Don’t recc: Pt contact w/ O on camera

Question 18

Anti-anxiety aids (4)

Answer 18

1. Thunder shirt
2. Thunder cap
3. T-touch
4. Body wraps

Question 19

Tx Behavior Modification
Counterconditioning

Answer 19

Teach animal a fun behavior
- Clicker

Question 20

Tx Behavior Modification
Desensitization

Answer 20

Carefully expose the animal to the trigger in small steps

Question 21

What is a tigger?
Trigger stacking?

Answer 21

1. Whatever causes the behavior.
   - Intensity of a trigger can cause the animal to go over threshold.
2. Exposure to mult trigs before the animals emotional state has returned to normal

Question 22

___ language will tell you when the animal is approaching their threshold.
___, ___, ___, & ___ are all signs that the animal is approaching threshold.
When these signs show, it is important to ___.

Answer 22

1. Body language
2. Eye position
3. Ear position
4. Body tension
5. Lip licking
6. STOP

Question 23

Define:
Reinforcement
Punishment

Answer 23

1. Anything that increases the behavior it follows
2. Anything that decreases the behavior it follows

Question 24

A reward is an item ___ for good behavior. It cannot be confused for a ___. Food is an ___ reinforcement.

Answer 24

1. Given
2. Bribe
3. Unambiguous

Question 25

Define: Positive reinforcement Positive punishment Negative reinforcement Negative punishment

Answer 25

1. Add something animal likes 2. Add something the animal doesn't like 3. Take away something the animal doesn't like 4. Take away something the animal likes

Question 26

Extinction definition

Answer 26

Ignoring the behavior. - Beware: many behaviors are self-rewarding (ex: counter surfing)

Question 27

1. Flooding is... 2. Side effects: (2)

Answer 27

1. Inability to escape from trigger. 2. Outcomes - Learned helplessness - Shutting down

Question 28

Tx Medication OTC products (2)

Answer 28

1. Milk protein: I-theonine 2. Pheromones - Adaptil - Feliway

Question 29

Tx Medication Behavioral Pharmacology (3)

Answer 29

1. SSRIs 2. Benzos 3. Buspirone

Question 30

___-modification is the primary way of resolving issues. ___ are only an adjunct. Meds will often have ___.

Answer 30

1. Behavioral 2. Medications 3. Relapse