Behaviour Flashcards
Describe the 2 types of conditioning?
- 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). - Operant
- operating the dog
- a dog is more likely to repeat a behaviour if there is a positive outcome
Describe the famous classical conditioning experiment
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
What can happen if a behaviour goes unrewarded for a prolonged period?
Extinction
Describe Respondent counter conditioning
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.
What is key for classical conditioning to work?
The desire for the reward has to outweigh the desire to do the unwanted behaviour
What are the 3 Ds of training?
Duration of training
Distance between you and animal
Distraction
Describe Negative and Positive Reinforcement and Punishment
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
Describe operant counter conditioning
Give an example
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
What is systematic desensitisation?
Used to treat fears and phobias
- to increase the level of tolerance for a certain stimulus e.g. fireworks
What rules must you follow for systematic desensitisation?
- Animal must be calm
- Do not expose to stimulus suddenly
- Never expose to stimulus accidentally
- Never do this for longer than 20mins at a time
- Start therapy at low level and increase slowly
- Reward ONLY for calm behaviour
What are primary and secondary reinforcers?
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
What are reinforcement schedules?
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
What are the 3/4 life stages in dogs and cats?
- Neonate - 0-10 days
- Juvenile - 10days - sexual maturity
- Adult - sexual maturity
(4. Geriatric - varies as per breed)
Describe the neonatal period in cats
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)
Describe the transitional period in cats (This is part 1 of the juvenile stage)
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.
Describe the socialisation period in cats
This is part 2 of the transitional period
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.
What is habituation
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)
State the development stages of cats and dogs
Neonatal period
Transitional period
Socialisation period
The neonatal and transitional periods in dogs are very similar to cats- state the differences and describe the socialisation period in puppies
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
Describe the Juvenile period in puppies
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
When are dogs considered adult?
Once they reach sexual maturity and puberty
However some giant breeds continue to grow for a couple years after this
What are some signs of geriatric animals?
Cloudy eyes/ cataracts Weight gain or loss Muscle atrophy Coat deterioration Greyness can indicate Have less energy or tolerance Confused More frequent toileting
What are the 3 types of communication in animals ?
Visual signalling / body language
Auditory (vocalisation)
Olfactory (scent)
Describe vocalisation in cats
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:
- Produced with mouth open & gradually closing - usually associated with friendly encounters e.g. meow
- Produced with mouth closed e.g purr - often mother-kitten or cat-human communication it can be pain.
- Produced with mouth held wide open e.g. hiss or spit - defence or aggression
Vocalisation important to find a mate in cats
What is the Flehmen response?
When cat flicks upper lip drawing scent into the vomeronasal organ where it becomes concentrated and absorbed- allows the cat to ‘taste’ the environment
Where are scent glands found on cat?
Face
Flanks
Tail
Paws - deposit scent when scratching
Describe the 4 ways cats can scent mark
- Rubbing
- rub anything that’s theirs and new items/people
- full body rubbing with tail erect is a greeting - Scratching
- scent marks, keep claws healthy, strengthens muscles and tendons - 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 - Middening
- deliberate depositing of faeces in obvious places at boundaries of territory
Describe the visual communication in cats using their eyes
Dilated pupil=fear
Narrowed pupil= relaxed
Extremely constructed pupils= confidence
Prolonged, intense eye contact = aggression
Excessive blinking= stress, seeking reassurance
Describe the visual communication in cats using their ears
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
Describe the visual communication in cats using their tail
Upright = friendly
Swishes= aggressive tendency ‘back off’
(Often reason for miscommunication between dogs and cats as dogs think wagging tail = happy)
Bushy = frightened. Defensive
Describe vocalisation in dogs
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
Describe the 3 types of olfactory communication in dogs
- 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 - Glandular secretions
- anal sac secretions are unique
- Mark territory - General odours
- by sudoriferous glands
- smelt by other dogs when sniffing and greeting
Describe a dominant dog and a subordinate dog
- Dominant
- tall posture
- Hackles up
- tail held high and out back - Subordinate dog
- head lower than level of back
- ears back, flat and low.
- tail down & possibly wagging a little
_ sweaty paws
Describe a fearfully aggressive dog
Bared teeth Hackles up Lowered tail Ears back Side eye contact
describe an approachable friendly dog
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
What is a problem for communication in cats and dogs now?
Selective breeding has altered their physical structure and interferes with communication systems
E.g. Brachycephalics are less able to communicate properly
Describe vocalisation in rabbits
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
Describe olfactory communication in rabbits
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
Describe visual communication in rabbits
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
What are the advantages and disadvantages of auditory/vocal communication?
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
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of visual communication
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
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of olfactory communication
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
Describe the training technique for sit, lie down and stand
- Sit
- hold treat above dogs nose, wait until dog sits and say sit as they do this, reward sit with treat. Repeat - 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. - 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.
Describe the training for stay and come
- 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. - 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.
How would you use treats when teaching to walk on lead?
Reward the dog a say ‘heel’ when they stay next to you
What information should you obtain in a behaviour consultation?
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
What should you do with the information gathered in a behaviour consultation?
- Interpret the behaviour
- which aspects are instinctive, learned ? Anxiety or over-excitement involved? - What has caused it?
- hormones, genetics, triggers, owner? - 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
Describe the life stages of rabbits
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
Describe the 3 types of eating in wild rabbits
- Casual nibbling
- usually near burrow - Voracious feeding
- grazing non-selectively in a straight line - Normal
- moves in zig zag pattern selectively feeding young leaves and tasty plants
What signs would there be if a rabbit was painful?
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
Why might a dog bite?
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
What are calming signals?
Start of the ladder of aggression - indicate uncomfortable
e.g. yawning, blinking, nose licking
Why might a cat bite? What can help each?
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.
What happens in a fearful dog’s body?
HR increases, breathing is shallow, desire to run or hide, pale, shaking or panting
What affects how an animal reacts to a fearful stimuli?
- The significance of the stimulus to a particular stimulus e.g. the prey to that predator
- The species-specific behaviours - will respond the best way it knows how
- Early development experiences - socialisation and habituation
- Learnt behaviour - e.g. dog and postman
- Individual character traits - breed specific e.g. collies are fearful
What are the 4 Fs in response to fearful stimuli?
Flight
Fight
Freeze
Fidget
What can chronic stress in animals cause?
Displacement or compulsive behaviours e.g. (in dogs) licking excessively, tail chewing, pacing
(in cats) crystals in urine, excessive grooming, air swiping
Describe the cat diet
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
What must be done when habituating your dog?
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
