Companion Animal Behavior Flashcards
Animal Communication
“Tool Kit” Senses
- Perception
- Olfactory
- Auditory
Vomeronasal Organ
- Tied to limbic system
- Important for detecting pheromones
Correcting / Training
Terms
- Positive = to give
- Negative = to take
- Punishment = to decrease unwanted behavior
- Reinforcement = to increase wanted behavior
Training
Shaping
Part of the desired behavior is performed, but not complete
* best for more complex behaviors with multiple steps
Training
Capturing
Natural occurring behavior is rewarded
* behavior is complete already
Training
Conditioning
Incompatible behavior is combined with a desired behavior
* ex: having dog sit to prevent it from jumping up on people
Training
Extinction
Behavior is performed and reward is taken away or not given
* extreme form of negative punishment
* behavior frequency / intensity may increase while animal seeks reward
Classical Conditioning
Learned association between two stimuli
* automatic or involuntary response
Habituation
Learning with no rewards or punishments
* stimulus occurs and behavior follows
* repeated until no response is shown
Desensitization
Exposing to a stimuli starting small and gradually increasing intensity
* increase until undesired behavior is not shown
* nonstressful starting point needs to occur
Classical Counterconditioning
Train an alternative response to a stimulus
* ex: nail trimming with treats
Operant Counterconditioning
Alternative behavior in response to a stimulus
* ex: sit when approached to prevent jumping up
Antidepressants
- SSRI
- TCA
- MAOI
SSRI
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
* prevents uptake of serotonin
* used long-term, not as needed
* cannot be used with MAOI or other serotonin uptake medication
* weaned off gradually
SSRI
Examples
- Fluoxetine (Prozac / Reconcile)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
