Ch 5 Learning Objectives

Question 1

Behaviors performed by two individuals such as grooming or nuzzling to maintain social bonds.

Answer 1

Affiliative Behaviors

Question 2

Grooming performed by one animal on another animal of the same species.

Answer 2

Allogrooming

Question 3

Anticipation of future or potential danger that may be unknown, imagined , or real. Leads to physiologic response similar to that of fear.

Answer 3

Anxiety

Question 4

The animal learns the association between events - one event (the conditioned stimulus) predicts another (the unconditioned stimulus). Emotional behaviors are easily classically conditioned.

Answer 4

Classical Conditioning

Question 5

Aggression towards people, often over resources and in similar contacts as dominance aggression, but with the dog showing ambivalent visual cues. These dogs are often submissive and fearful in other contexts and are likely to act submissive or fearful immediately after an attack. (Clients say the dog often looks sorry for what he did)

Answer 5

Conflict - Related Aggression

Question 6

Animals belonging to the same species.

Answer 6

Conspecific

Question 7

Aggression against members of an animals social group to prevent subordinate individuals from performing actions or engaging in activities for which higher ranking individual claims authority.

Answer 7

Dominance Aggression

Question 8

A superior position in rank order or social hierarchy. Note that dominance describes a social position (Role in a position ) not a personality trait.

Answer 8

Dominant Role

Question 9

Feeling of apprehension experienced when an animal perceives that some nearby place, thing, or event may be dangerous.

Answer 9

Fear

Question 10

Aggression displayed when the dog perceives a threat. Most dogs demonstrate fearful body postures and possibly physiologic signs.

Answer 10

Fear - Related Aggression

Question 11

Aggression demonstrated only in the presence of food, bones, rawhides, human food, or other high value items to prevent real or perceived attempts by others to access the food.

Answer 11

Food - Related Aggression

Question 12

Experienced when an animal is in a situation in which it is prevented from performing a behavior that it is highly motivated to perform.

Answer 12

Frustration

Question 13

Unpredictable and severe aggression that occurs in the absence of stimuli that would allow the aggression to be categorized otherwise. Likely a form of “Springer Rage.”

Answer 13

Idiopathic Aggression

Question 14

May be caused by fear or strange dogs, or may be related to hormonal influences when it occurs between two intact male dogs.

Answer 14

Interdog (male/male)

Question 15

Can be similar to pain - related aggression, but may occur simply because a dog is tired or just may not be desiring interaction. May be more common in older dogs/ dogs living with young children.

Answer 15

Irritable Aggression

Question 16

Aggression that is typical of a female that is attempting to prevent access to her offspring (usually neonates). May also occur during psuedocyesis.

Answer 16

Maternal Aggression

Question 17

An animal that has given birth multiple times.

Answer 17

Multiparous

Question 18

Decreases the frequency of behavior because something pleasant is taken away (subtracted) after that behavior.

Answer 18

Negative Punishment

Question 19

Increases the frequency of behavior because something unpleasant is taken away or avoided after that behavior.

Answer 19

Negative Reinforcement

Question 20

Based on the principle that the consequences of a behavior will influence the frequency; known as the Thorndike law of effect. (+) Behaviors increase (-) Behaviors decrease. (Instrumental conditioning)

Answer 20

Operant Conditioning

Question 21

Similar to fear - related aggression in that the dog may be reacting to discomfort, pain, fear, or fear of pain.

Answer 21

Pain-related aggression

Question 22

Fear of a specific stimulus that is excessive and persistent. The response usually seems out of proportion to the threat.

Answer 22

Phobia

Question 23

Behavior typical of play, usually non affective, and often simply referred to as inappropriate play behavior when directed towards humans.

Answer 23

Play-related Aggression

Question 24

Decreases the frequency of behavior because something unpleasant is added after a behavior.

Answer 24

Positive Punishment

Question 25

Increases the frequency of a behavior because something pleasant is added after a behavior.

Answer 25

Positive Reinforcement

Question 26

Aggression demonstrated in the presence of a high valued resource, to avoid real or perceived attempts by others to access the resource.

Answer 26

Possessive Aggression

Question 27

Aggression consistent with hunting; usually quiet, staring, and stalking with tail twitching and body lowered. Emergency situation when directed at children.

Answer 27

Predatory Aggression

Question 28

An animal that has given birth once.

Answer 28

Primiparous

Question 29

Aggression of a nearby animal when an animal is highly emotionally aroused usually because of other stimulus.

Answer 29

Redirected Aggression

Question 30

Occurs when an animal is highly motivated to perform a particular behavior but for some reason it is prevented from doing so. The animal subsequently redirects the behavior to another target.

Answer 30

Redirected Behaviors

Question 31

Social structure that allow for division of resources, rights, and privileges. Hierarchies are not fixed, and roles may change over time.

Answer 31

Social Hierarchies

Question 32

Aggression towards people in an attempt to acquire or maintain resources. These animals should be demonstrating offensive rather than fear-related or or defensive visual cues.

Answer 32

Social status/dominance aggression

Question 33

Process by which an animal develops appropriate social behaviors toward members of its own and other species.

Answer 33

Socialization

Question 34

Any pressure or strain placed on a system. If pressure is great enough or persistent enough, for example, and animal that is unable to escape from a fear-inducing stimulus, constant stimulation of HPA can lead to immune suppression and disease.

Answer 34

Stress

Question 35

Also known as appeasement behaviors, they function as signals to turn off threatening and aggressive behaviors from other individuals.

Answer 35

Submissive Behaviors

Question 36

A lower ranking position in a rank order or social hierarchy.

Answer 36

Subordinate role

Question 37

Aggression demonstrated only in a particular, circumscribed area when approached by a perceived threat.

Answer 37

Territorial aggression

Question 38

How can problem behavior be life threatening to pets?

Answer 38

One of the top leading causes of deaths in dogs. Problem behavior leads to owner surrenders. Many owners do not know that most problems can be corrected. Reviewing normal and abnormal behaviors every visit is crucial to owner/animal/clinic staff safety and welfare.

Question 39

Summarize the Veterinary Technicians role in supporting behavioral health.

Answer 39

You are the first to come into contact with client/animal, thus are the first to be aware of behavioral issues. VT should explain normal/abnormal behavior with client in a light-hearted way. This should make the client feel comfortable to admit issues with animals behavior. Next we must educate client and if needed schedule additional behavioral appointment to address issues.

Question 40

List steps taken when gathering information for a behavioral history.

Answer 40

Ask client to describe animal behavior objectively. Collect the information by asking questions (i.e. Describe the problem behavior). Document findings, and if client desires more info, they may take home a behavior questionnaire to take to a scheduled behavioral appointment. Or they may be referred to a specialist. Assess damage behavior poses on human-animal bond.

Question 41

Explain how animals learn and whether or not their behavior, like that of humans, is based on moral code of conduct.

Answer 41

Animals do not act with a sense of “right” and “wrong” they act upon the way they felt the last time the behavior was performed. Animals do not act out of anger/spite. They repeat behaviors perceived as good, and discontinue the behaviors they associate with feeling bad.

Question 42

Differentiate between positive reinforcement, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, and negative punishment.

Answer 42

Positive reinforcement - Behavior increases because something pleasant was added after behavior.
Positive punishment - Behavior decreases because something unpleasant is added after behavior.

Question 43

Explain the relationship between operant behaviors and continuous and intermittent reinforcement.

Answer 43

Operant behavior means trial and error learning. The immediate reaction to their behavior dictates whether they act on it again. Continuous reinforcement means praising every time desired behavior is completed. Intermittent reinforcement is given periodically when animal completes desired behavior.

Question 44

Describe why extinction of a behavior is difficult to achieve.

Answer 44

1. The reinforcement has not been accurately identified.
2. The reinforcement is coming from more than one source.
3. The behavior is internally rewarding and thus is self-reinforcing.

Question 45

Differentiate between the following: Desensitization, counter-conditioning, counter-commanding, and flooding.

Answer 45

Three methods for treating respondent fear:
Desensitization: change a dogs emotional response to stimulus.
Counter-conditioning: substitute an alternative emotional response or behavior that is incompatible with the problem.
Flooding: exposes animal full-force to fearful stimuli with no escape until the animal ceases to be fearful.

Question 46

Describe each step in the Five-Step Positive Proaction Plan. List the criteria required for effective discipline.

Answer 46

1. Elicit and reinforce appropriate behavior.
2. Prevent or minimize inappropriate behavior.
3. Meet the pet’s behavioral and developmental needs.
4. Use the take away method (Negative punishment)
5. Minimize discipline (positive punishment)

Question 47

Explain the importance of habituating young animals to handling.

Answer 47

Being young makes this process easier and faster, and they will be able to handle simple procedures and being held without fear.

Question 48

Explain some of the challenges in habituating older animals to handling.

Answer 48

Older animals may have fear and will have to become desensitized or counter-conditioned.

Question 49

Describe ways in which a VT can assist a client in selecting a pet.

Answer 49

Discussing lifestyle (i.e. a cat may be better than a dog for someone working long hours). Help select what would be an appropriate breed for housing/exercise available to pet. Explain choosing a puppy and being careful to watch the temperament.

Question 50

Describe the role medication plays in treating behavior problems.

Answer 50

They prevent suffering, and assist with behavior modifications.

Question 51

Describe the four stages of canine and feline development.

Answer 51

1. Neonatal, 2. Transition, 3. Socialization, and 4. Juvenile period.

Question 52

List important canine and feline behaviors that owners should be able to interpret correctly.

Answer 52

Dominant and submissive roles can change with time, and with other animals. No animal is always Dominant or Submissive, this is not a personality trait.

Question 53

Explain how a VT’s understanding of animal behavior can create a safer environment for workers pet owners and pets.

Answer 53

By correctly interpreting behaviors you can become safer working with animals as well as educate clients and increase their safety and awareness.

Question 54

Describe methods for introducing a new dog or cat to existing pets.

Answer 54

Bring leashed animals to a neutral area. Watch for signs that the dogs want to play, or if they are both offensive, repeat again next day until dogs become comfortable. Trials can now be made at home gradually until dogs are comfortable at the new area.

Question 55

List common behavior problems in dogs and cats and describe methods for addressing them.

Answer 55

Mouthing, playing too rough, pulling on leash, or barking excessively. Using the 5-Step Positive Proaction Plan, most all of these behaviors can be avoided.

Question 56

Describe common circumstances in the dog and cat in which aggression can be problematic for the pet owner.

Answer 56

Destructive behavior, Canine aggression, Mouthing related to play-aggression) These behaviors can interfere with the clients life, and cause financial, and emotional stress.

Question 57

Explain how being a prey species influences the behavior of the horses and their desire to be in a herd.

Answer 57

Horses use a lot of visual clues with each other to alert and warn each other of dangers. Horses in solitude may be more fearful and also aggressive as they respond before investigating stimulus.

Question 58

Describe how hierarchy affects the behavior of the individual animals within a herd of horses .

Answer 58

A hierarchy means less actual violence over resources and actions, as they all understand the maintained order.

Question 59

Describe normal sexual behavior in mares and stallions.

Answer 59

Mare in heat will stand and allow stallion to nibble and smell. Mares will use “winking” to signal heat. Stallion will neigh, nickers and roars are heard. If the Mare stays standing the stallion will become erect and intromission can occur.

Question 60

Describe the behavior of mares with foal and explain why foal rejection is a behavior emergency.

Answer 60

A foal must receive colostrum within 36 hours. The mare may reject the foal because of pain from mastitis etc. The other form involves the mare being frightened of the foal and will attack.

Question 61

List three common stable vices in horses.

Answer 61

Cribbing, wind-sucking, & wood chewing

Question 62

Describe how hierarchy affects the behavior of individual animals within a herd of cattle, sheep, or goats.

Answer 62

Development of the hierarchy may require some level of aggression, but after established the hierarchy is maintained mainly with visual threats and with avoidance behavior of subordinates.

Question 63

Describe how aggression commonly manifests in cattle, sheep, and goats.

Answer 63

Cattle: Pawing at the dirt, lowering head nudging the ground. May use head butts.
Sheep: Stamp feet and fight with forelimbs.
Goats: Stand up on hind limbs and charge while butting heads.

Question 64

Describe normal sexual and maternal behaviors in farm animals.

Answer 64

Many animals lose libido and there is rarely aggression between animals as there is no competition for females.

Question 65

Describe common behavior problems in domestic livestock.

Answer 65

Some cattle hand raised may show aggression towards humans as they believe they are conspecifics. Cattle that spend too much time in the open field may be hard to handle.