Enrichment For Companion Animals Flashcards
1
Q
What is stereotypic behaviour?
A
- patterns of behaviour that appear to be obsessively repeated without an apparent goal
- they are damaging and serve no function, however the stereotypy may actually help the animal to cope with their environment
2
Q
What are 5 characteristics of stereotypic behaviour?
A
- frequency, intensity or contact of behaviour is different from the norm
- the persistent, repetition of an act, carried out by an act that serves no specific purpose
- obsessive compulsive disorder brought about by stress
- starts as a response to stress, but persists and becomes routine even when the source of stress is removed
- once a stereotypic behaviour becomes part of the repertoire it is likely to persist
3
Q
What are the 2 types of abnormal repetitive behaviours?
A
- repeated goal-orientated behaviours
(compulsive or impulsive) - repeated motor function (stereotypic)
4
Q
Why do abnormal repetitive behaviours occur?
A
- behaviour alleviates physiological stress response and consequently the animal can cope with heightened levels of arousal
- commonly observed in human-controlled environments (zoo, farm, circus, research labs)
5
Q
Abnormal repetitive behaviours in dogs?
A
- circling
- tail chasing
- paw lifting
- persistent licking
- self injury
6
Q
Abnormal repetitive behaviours in cats?
A
- pacing
- over grooming
- wool-sucking
7
Q
Abnormal repetitive behaviours in horses?
A
- crib biting
- wind sucking
- self-mutilation
- weaving
- head tossing
8
Q
Abnormal repetitive behaviours in rabbits?
A
- over grooming
- repeated circling enclosure
- repetitive gnawing bars
9
Q
What are fixed action patterns?
A
- behaviours which are naturally repetitive an observed in wild animals
- these rituals;optic behaviours do serve a function and have survival benefits that improve the fitness of the animal
10
Q
What is environmental enrichment?
A
- modifications that act to enhance the level of physical and social stimulation provided by the captive environment
- also referred to as behavioural enrichment
11
Q
What are the 8 purposes of environmental enrichment?
A
- improves quality of life
- promotes natural behaviours
- promotes species-specific behaviours
- promotes positive responses to stressors
- enhances physical and physiological stimulation
- promotes cognitive behaviours
- enhances social interactions and exploration
- reduces stress, fear and aggression
12
Q
What are the implications of enrichment on welfare?
A
- can reduce stress-related repetitive behaviour
- provides an anti-anxiety and therapeutic affect against stressors
- can prevent unwanted behaviours by occupying their time
13
Q
What information does early research provide about enrichment?
A
- the biggest difference between the wild and captive environment is the amount of time animals spend active
- feeding, foraging, exploring
14
Q
What are enriched environments?
A
- composed of increased space and equipped with various objects that stimulate motor function by providing exercise, climbing activities and species-specific activities
- the location and type of objects are changed regularly to maintain the level of complexity
15
Q
What are the 5 approaches of providing enrichment?
A
- social
- occupational
- physical
- sensory
- nutritional
16
Q
What is the social approach to providing enrichment?
A
- involves keeping a pet with other animals
- may be conspecifics or other species
- encourages social behaviours and companionship
17
Q
What is the occupational approach to providing enrichment?
A
- devised to promote physical exercise or cognitive stimulation through work, such as puzzle feeders or agility
18
Q
What is the physical approach to providing enrichment?
A
- any aspect of the physical environment designed to influence behaviour
- makes use of unusual or unnatural items that stimulate natural behaviours
19
Q
What is the sensory approach to providing enrichment?
A
- designed to stimulate any of the animals senses
20
Q
What is the nutritional approach to providing enrichment?
A
- designed to mimic foraging or feeding behaviours
- the delivery of the food
21
Q
Methods of enrichment for dogs?
A
- puzzles toys are physically and mentally stimulating, and increase their ability to learn
- walking/running is mentally stimulating and provides a bonding experience and allows for basic obedience
- training reinforces basic commands, creates bond
- agility good form of exercise for anxious or high energy dogs
- flyball good form of exercise for anxious or high energy dogs
22
Q
Methods of enrichment for cats?
A
- hiding places, scratching posts, litter boxes and toys
- puzzle feeders and training exercises
- scents eg. Catnip
23
Q
Methods of enrichment for rabbits?
A
- bonded in pairs or trios for social living
- outdoor grass areas for exercise and feeding
- platforms, hay racks, chew toys, tunnels, puzzle feeders, hiding places
- sand pits for digging
- training and agility
24
Q
Methods of enrichment for horses?
A
- loose hay, hay boxes, slow feeders, puzzle feeders
- toys such as play/treat balls
- physical and visual contact with other horses
- clicker or target training
- scratching mats or broom heads to a strong post
25
What are the 5 basic commands?
- sit
- down
- stand
- stay
- come
26
How to train a dog to sit?
- hold treat above dogs nose
- when dog sits reward with treat and praise
- if dog doesn’t sit quickly the treat can be bought closer to the nose and the raised up slowly to lure their head further up so that hindquarters fall backwards
27
How to train a dog to lie-down?
- kneel on the floor with dog sitting in front
- hold the treat in front of their nose and lower it to floor level
- the dog should follow the lure to the ground
- it is important not to let go of the treat until the dog is lying down fully on the ground
28
How to train a dog to stand?
- taught from sit or down position
- stand in front of dog
- move treat away from dogs head at eye level
- take a step back
- automatically draws the dogs head forward and should stand
29
How to train a dog to stay?
- with the dog in down position take a step away from the dog while holding your palm up and saying stay
- immediately return to the dog and reward
- gradually take more and more paces away from the dog
30
How to train a dog to come?
- wait until the dog is looking at you from a a short distance away
- move away from the dog to encourage them to move towards you
- drop your hand low to the ground with the treat
- say come and the dogs name when the dog actually starts to move towards you
- the dogs response is reinforced by the food reward when the dog reaches you
