Module 2c (Dogs) Flashcards
Describe a neutral and relaxed dog.
Their overall body is neutral and relaxed, the coat is normal, soft gaze with normal pupils. Ears are either neutral or slightly perked up. The mouth is open and relaxed, the tail os loose and may be wagging.
What is habituation?
Habituation is an active process where animals learn that a situation, object or event is neither important nor meaningful. They will eventually learn not to react to the situation the same way.
Explain the steps of systematic desensitisation.
1) Know what the trigger is 2) We use a controlled approach to present the animal with the thing they are afraid of 3) This gradually and carefully decreases an animal’s FAS towards the trigger.
How do we know when it’s time to bring the thing the animal is afraid of closer/make it louder?
You know that you can make the experience more “intense” when the animal remains calm and relaxed.
What is sensitisation? How is it different from habituation?
Sensitization happens when an animal is afraid of something but every single time it happens, the FAS in the animal rises. This can happen for example when a cat is placed right next to barking dogs. Habituation is when an animal naturally get used to a sound, like barking dogs becuase they are muffled or far away.
What’s something we have to be careful not to do when we are training an animal to not be afraid of something?
We have to be careful to not sensitize an animal to something by paying attention to their body language, if an animal is not totally relaxed you should not intensify the thing they are afraid of because it can cause sensitization.
What is positive re-enforcement?
Positive re-enforcement happens when you perform a behaviour and something good happens. This makes behaviour increase.
What is negative re-enforcement?
Negative re-enforcement happens when you do something, and something bad stops. This makes your behaviour increase.
What is positive re-enforcement?
Positive re-enforcement happens when you perform a behaviour and something good happens
What is negative punishment?
Negative punishment happens when you perform a behaviour and something good stops.
What is the most fear free method to train animals to help them learn?
The most fear free thing we can do is use positive re-enforcement.q
Why do we want to control unruly behaviour in dogs and cats?
We want to helo control the animals becuase the longer it persists, the more likely they are to keep on doing it.
What are some ways that we can manage the enviornment for animals in the shelter?
We can put up a barrier, for example, if a dog is afraid of people or other dogs walking by their run.
what is the most effective ways we can change animal’s behaviour while remainning fear free?
The most effective ways are to give the animals ways to cope: making things they are afraid of quieter, sheltering their eyes from strangers they are afraid of. As well as uesing positive reenforcement to keep them safe and help them get braver.
What is something we should avoid when training animals and why?
We should avoid punishments such as yelling at an animal and tugging on their leash. It can cause more FAS and frustration, leading to further problems. “Showing the dog who’s boss” is no longer accepted by experts and has nothing to do with true leadership.
