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Animal Welfare and Behaviour > Behaviour > Flashcards

Behaviour Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the 2 types of conditioning?

A
  1. Classical
    - automatic responses e.g. excitement when see lead
    - it exploits the animal’s natural behaviour
    Essentially the animal is trained to respond to a stimulus(e.g. clicker or whistle) as a predictor of something good (e.g. treats).
  2. Operant
    - operating the dog
    - a dog is more likely to repeat a behaviour if there is a positive outcome
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2
Q

Describe the famous classical conditioning experiment

A

Pavlov’s Dog
- noticed dogs salivated in the presence of food
- rang a bell when food presented
- eventually, dogs salivated when the bell was rang even if no food.
Bell= meaningless stimulus
Salivation = meaningful response

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3
Q

What can happen if a behaviour goes unrewarded for a prolonged period?

A

Extinction

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4
Q

Describe Respondent counter conditioning

A

When classical conditioning is used as a form of counter conditioning
For example:
- cat learns that the carrier means vet
- the carrier then induces fear in cat
(this is an involuntary reaction)
- get cat used to carrier without always going to the vet so the cat begins to feel comfortable in the carrier - use a reward.

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5
Q

What is key for classical conditioning to work?

A

The desire for the reward has to outweigh the desire to do the unwanted behaviour

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6
Q

What are the 3 Ds of training?

A

Duration of training
Distance between you and animal
Distraction

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7
Q

Describe Negative and Positive Reinforcement and Punishment

A

Positive reinforcement - add a reward to increase a behaviour
Negative punishment - remove/delay a reward to decrease a behaviour

Negative reinforcement -Remove/delay an aversive stimulus to increase a behaviour
Positive punishment - add an aversion to decrease a behaviour

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8
Q

Describe operant counter conditioning

Give an example

A

Response substitution
When you teach the animal to exhibit an alternative behaviour to eliminate an unwanted one

For example::
- teaching the dog to sit when the doorbell rings to eliminate barking at visitors

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9
Q

What is systematic desensitisation?

A

Used to treat fears and phobias

- to increase the level of tolerance for a certain stimulus e.g. fireworks

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10
Q

What rules must you follow for systematic desensitisation?

A
  1. Animal must be calm
  2. Do not expose to stimulus suddenly
  3. Never expose to stimulus accidentally
  4. Never do this for longer than 20mins at a time
  5. Start therapy at low level and increase slowly
  6. Reward ONLY for calm behaviour
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11
Q

What are primary and secondary reinforcers?

A

Primary is the thing that is naturally rewarding e.g. food or toy
Secondary is those that link to the primary e.g. clicker or whistle

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12
Q

What are reinforcement schedules?

A

How often you reward

Continuous - every single time
Fixed ratio - set number or proportion of responses
Fixed interval - every 5 mins e.g.
Variable - at random , unpredictable

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13
Q

What are the 3/4 life stages in dogs and cats?

A
  1. Neonate - 0-10 days
  2. Juvenile - 10days - sexual maturity
  3. Adult - sexual maturity
    (4. Geriatric - varies as per breed)
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14
Q

Describe the neonatal period in cats

A

0-2wks
completely dependant on mum
altricial young - blind and deaf (auditory canal blocked by ridges of skin)
Mother has to assist U and F
Instinctive reflex drive their actions at this stage :
- The rooting reflex (head in warm place)
- The sucking reflex (latch on to mum as soon as born)
- The scruff hold reflex (go limp when picked up)

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15
Q

Describe the transitional period in cats (This is part 1 of the juvenile stage)

A

10days - 3 weeks
Skin ridges gradually open and hearing improves - can hear by day 16
Eyesight progressively improves - eyes open between 2-16days (females usually first)
Movement develops and become more independent and aware of environment.
At 3 weeks, the queen makes it harder for them to get milk and spends more time away from them. - forced to become independent.

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16
Q

Describe the socialisation period in cats

This is part 2 of the transitional period

A

3-7 weeks
learn to inhibit their aggression by telling one another off
Should get exposed to everything at this stage! Dogs, cats, people, children, small furries.
They should become habituated at this stage.

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17
Q

What is habituation

A

Learning not to respond in an overly aggressive, excitable or fearful way to an environmental factor or situation that wont cause them any harm. (To save them from expending energy for no reason and living under stress)

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18
Q

State the development stages of cats and dogs

A

Neonatal period
Transitional period
Socialisation period

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19
Q

The neonatal and transitional periods in dogs are very similar to cats- state the differences and describe the socialisation period in puppies

A

Neonatal:
- 0-2 weeks

Transitional:

  • 2-3wks
  • Teeth start to develop
  • hearing and smell develop
  • start to walk
  • eyes open

Socialisation:
-3-10 weeks
Much more play and exploration behaviours
Start of this period is the CRITICAL period for developing social relationships and associations
Social signalling becomes more evident
Play teaches them to inhibit biting and learn boundaries and how to bark
4-5 weeks: pups start to display some degree of sexual behaviour by mounting each other
Explore predatory behaviour
7-9 weeks have full use of senses and should start house-training
8-10weeks - increase in fear

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20
Q

Describe the Juvenile period in puppies

A

I’m probs their motor skills
Short attention span so teaching difficult tasks not super effective
Start to display RLU in males
Males will begin to show interest in females about 4 months

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21
Q

When are dogs considered adult?

A

Once they reach sexual maturity and puberty

However some giant breeds continue to grow for a couple years after this

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22
Q

What are some signs of geriatric animals?

A 
Cloudy eyes/ cataracts
Weight gain or loss
Muscle atrophy
Coat deterioration 
Greyness can indicate 
Have less energy or tolerance 
Confused
More frequent toileting
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23
Q

What are the 3 types of communication in animals ?

A

Visual signalling / body language
Auditory (vocalisation)
Olfactory (scent)

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24
Q

Describe vocalisation in cats

A

More vocal when kittens
- learn to become quiet for hunting
Vocalisations are associated with greeting and social contact
Varies greatly

Noise is produced 3 ways in cats:

  1. Produced with mouth open & gradually closing - usually associated with friendly encounters e.g. meow
  2. Produced with mouth closed e.g purr - often mother-kitten or cat-human communication it can be pain.
  3. Produced with mouth held wide open e.g. hiss or spit - defence or aggression

Vocalisation important to find a mate in cats

25
Q

What is the Flehmen response?

A

When cat flicks upper lip drawing scent into the vomeronasal organ where it becomes concentrated and absorbed- allows the cat to ‘taste’ the environment

26
Q

Where are scent glands found on cat?

A

Face
Flanks
Tail
Paws - deposit scent when scratching

27
Q

Describe the 4 ways cats can scent mark

A
  1. Rubbing
    - rub anything that’s theirs and new items/people
    - full body rubbing with tail erect is a greeting
  2. Scratching
    - scent marks, keep claws healthy, strengthens muscles and tendons
  3. Scent marking
    - squirts a small stream of urine in a horizontal direction onto a vertical surface
    - done by males and females
    - marks territory and info on cycle
    - problems can be helped by neutering
  4. Middening
    - deliberate depositing of faeces in obvious places at boundaries of territory
28
Q

Describe the visual communication in cats using their eyes

A

Dilated pupil=fear
Narrowed pupil= relaxed
Extremely constructed pupils= confidence
Prolonged, intense eye contact = aggression
Excessive blinking= stress, seeking reassurance

29
Q

Describe the visual communication in cats using their ears

A

Erect/facing forward= unstressed
Up &rotates back= ready to attack
Flat down and folded sideways = scared, defensive, trying to look small
Down with tips turned up = conflict. Scared but will attack if provoked

30
Q

Describe the visual communication in cats using their tail

A

Upright = friendly
Swishes= aggressive tendency ‘back off’
(Often reason for miscommunication between dogs and cats as dogs think wagging tail = happy)
Bushy = frightened. Defensive

31
Q

Describe vocalisation in dogs

A 
Barking = pitch and depiction conveys meaning 
Growl= defence and warning 
Howl = pack call to hunt
Grunt = greeting relaxed gesture (tends to only be in neonates)

*analyse vocalisations in context

32
Q

Describe the 3 types of olfactory communication in dogs

A
  1. Faeces and Urine
    - M&F do RLU to mark territory, masks scent of unfamiliar urine, visual gesture of dominance
    - scratching ground after U/F: creates a visual display to draw attention to faeces and reinforce the scent via glands on foot
  2. Glandular secretions
    - anal sac secretions are unique
    - Mark territory
  3. General odours
    - by sudoriferous glands
    - smelt by other dogs when sniffing and greeting
33
Q

Describe a dominant dog and a subordinate dog

A
  1. Dominant
    - tall posture
    - Hackles up
    - tail held high and out back
  2. Subordinate dog
    - head lower than level of back
    - ears back, flat and low.
    - tail down & possibly wagging a little
    _ sweaty paws
34
Q

Describe a fearfully aggressive dog

A 
Bared teeth 
Hackles up
Lowered tail 
Ears back 
Side eye contact
35
Q

describe an approachable friendly dog

A 
Tail loose and swishy
Soft relaxed eyes and pupil not dilated 
Relaxed face 
Mobile body and initiating interaction
Licking, nudging and jumping on you 
Non-intrusive sniffing 
Play bowing
Hackles are not up 
Well rounded bark possibly
36
Q

What is a problem for communication in cats and dogs now?

A

Selective breeding has altered their physical structure and interferes with communication systems
E.g. Brachycephalics are less able to communicate properly

37
Q

Describe vocalisation in rabbits

A

Rarely make noise
Purring or quiet grinding - relaxed and content
Soft clicking - pleasure (usually after eating something tasty)
Loud grinding of teeth or growling =warning
Scream= extreme distress

38
Q

Describe olfactory communication in rabbits

A

Faeces are used as interspecific communication - rabbits coat other group members with anal gland secretions
Also create latrines to defecate in- marks territory boundary and warns outsiders

Also have chin gland - marks objects and territory
Males also spray urine - dominant display or courtship attempt

39
Q

Describe visual communication in rabbits

A

Very subtle
Lying stretched out = relaxed
Tucked down with ears flat = relaxed
Submissive = crouched down to look small and avoid eye contact
Fear = crouched down with tense face, body pressed to ground, ears flat against head, thumping , flashing white tail

40
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of auditory/vocal communication?

A

Positive:

  • can be heard in the dark
  • sound will penetrate dense vegetation
  • intensity can be altered depending on environment
  • can instantly stop sound if danger
  • fast exchange of info
  • heard over a long distance

Disadvantages:

  • Sound gives away the animal’s location
  • Leaves no latent effect on the environment
41
Q

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of visual communication

A

Advantages:

  • messages can be altered quickly/ instant changes
  • reinforces pack structure and hierarchy

Disadvantages

  • No latent effect in environment
  • requires animals to be in close proximity
  • can be misinterpreted
42
Q

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of olfactory communication

A

Advantages:

  • relays info about sexual status of animal
  • leaves message in the environment therefore good for marking territory
  • obstacles are not a problem - time of day does not affect efficiency of message

Disadvantages

  • rain can affect the message
  • requires regular marking
43
Q

Describe the training technique for sit, lie down and stand

A
  1. Sit
    - hold treat above dogs nose, wait until dog sits and say sit as they do this, reward sit with treat. Repeat
  2. Down - eventually instant down for safety
    - lower treat to ground in front of dogs nose, when dog lies down say ‘down’, give treat when lying down. Repeat.
  3. Stand
    - easier to teach from sit position
    - start with treat in front of dogs eye level. Move it back and step away from dog, drawing dog’s head forward and getting them to stand. When dog begins to stand give command ‘stand’. Reward with treat. Beneficial to have someone holding dog on lead.
44
Q

Describe the training for stay and come

A
  1. Stay
    - once dog has mastered lie down, get them to lie down, put palm up, say ‘stay’ and move away. Return to dog and reinforce with treat. Gradually increase distance and distractions and clearly signal to the dog when the training is over.
  2. Come (recall)
    - Move away from dog but keep it looking at you by holding treat, lower the treat and when the dog starts to move towards you say ‘come’. Reinforce with treat when dog gets to you.
45
Q

How would you use treats when teaching to walk on lead?

A

Reward the dog a say ‘heel’ when they stay next to you

46
Q

What information should you obtain in a behaviour consultation?

A

Description of the problem
-what is it, when did it start, when does it occur, how long does it last, who is present when it happens, where does it happen, what happens after and before etc.

History
- occurred before, gotten worse, how long been an issue, do use a behaviourist or pet sitter, been rescued/working dog?, any changes to routine? etc

General Info
-routine, who is in house, everyone’s relationship with pet, home alone

47
Q

What should you do with the information gathered in a behaviour consultation?

A
  1. Interpret the behaviour
    - which aspects are instinctive, learned ? Anxiety or over-excitement involved?
  2. What has caused it?
    - hormones, genetics, triggers, owner?
  3. Possible treatments
    - neutering, drugs, establishing positive relationship between owners and pet, reduce stress, remove the trigger, response substitution/distraction, systematic desensitisation, routine change, socialisation etc
48
Q

Describe the life stages of rabbits

A

Altricial
Bald and pink when born
Eyes open around 10 days
Ears lie flat against head until 7 days
Sense of smell and touch and temperature effective from birth
Rooting and Sucking reflex also
Minimal maternal care - only nurse young about 1-2 times per day- spend only 1% of their time with their young.Infanticide may occur.

Moving around by 18 days
Weaning around 24 days and abandoned by mother
Sexual maturity at about 4 months
Adult/fully-grown at 8-9 months

49
Q

Describe the 3 types of eating in wild rabbits

A
  1. Casual nibbling
    - usually near burrow
  2. Voracious feeding
    - grazing non-selectively in a straight line
  3. Normal
    - moves in zig zag pattern selectively feeding young leaves and tasty plants
50
Q

What signs would there be if a rabbit was painful?

A 
Fewer, smaller or no faeces
Have closed or dull eyes
Out of character aggression
Pushing abdomen to floor
Chewing or overgrooming affected area
Lethargy or immobilisation or lameness
Resents palpation
Hunched posture
Teeth grinding (Bruxism) loud enough to hear
Reluctance to curl up
Bulging eyes
Anorexia
Polyuria or polydipsia
Piloerection
51
Q

Why might a dog bite?

A 
Fear- lack of socialisation and habituation
Lack of rest
Body area sensitivity
Poor health or pain
Competition for resources or mates
Defence - mother protecting pups
Accidental reinforcement of aggression
52
Q

What are calming signals?

A

Start of the ladder of aggression - indicate uncomfortable

e.g. yawning, blinking, nose licking

53
Q

Why might a cat bite? What can help each?

A

Play - enrich environment
Fear - systematic desensitization will help
Predation - instinctive and learnt - to prevent can use a bell on collar, feed before let out etc.
Frustration - find alternative ways to interact with cat other than petting.
Social circumstances
Territory
Sexual competition - neutering can help, progesterones etc.

54
Q

What happens in a fearful dog’s body?

A

HR increases, breathing is shallow, desire to run or hide, pale, shaking or panting

55
Q

What affects how an animal reacts to a fearful stimuli?

A
  1. The significance of the stimulus to a particular stimulus e.g. the prey to that predator
  2. The species-specific behaviours - will respond the best way it knows how
  3. Early development experiences - socialisation and habituation
  4. Learnt behaviour - e.g. dog and postman
  5. Individual character traits - breed specific e.g. collies are fearful
56
Q

What are the 4 Fs in response to fearful stimuli?

A

Flight
Fight
Freeze
Fidget

57
Q

What can chronic stress in animals cause?

A

Displacement or compulsive behaviours e.g. (in dogs) licking excessively, tail chewing, pacing
(in cats) crystals in urine, excessive grooming, air swiping

58
Q

Describe the cat diet

A

Obligate carnivores - have dietary requirement for taurine and amino acids which can only be found in animal matter.
They are opportunistic feeders and solitary predators
Queens catch prey every 1.6 hours, other cats only kill every 12hrs.
Cats like to hunt but wont always eat prey

59
Q

What must be done when habituating your dog?

A

Carry it out at young age
Intermittently reinforce throughout life of dog
Expose to as many different situations as possible - sounds, smells etc
Car travel and public transport
Loud noises- hoover, washing machine, fireworks
Use of harness or lead

Animal Welfare and Behaviour (2 decks)

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