T3: Behavioral Training and Interventions

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

associative learning
-Ivan Pavlov
-conditioned fear

Question 2

What is instrumental conditioning?

Answer 2

Operant
-Consequences –> learned through rewards/punishment
-positive and negative punishment or reinforcers

Question 3

What is habituation?

Answer 3

natural response
- ending of/ decrease in response to a stimulus that results from repeated or prolonged exposure to that stimulus

Question 4

What is desensitization?

Answer 4

stimulus is presented below the threshold that evokes fear and intensity is gradually raised

Question 5

What is counterconditioning

Answer 5

to reduce unwanted behavior by teaching the pet to replace it with a more favorable behavior

• ex: replace barking at door with grabbing a toy

Question 6

what is shaping?

Answer 6

learning technique that works well for dogs who don’t know what respopnse is desired by trainer
- gradual approximation

• ex: When teaching sit, everytime the dog takes a step back or squats they get a treat. We continue to shape this until they fully begin to sit

Question 7

what is extinction?

Answer 7

trained
- removal of a behavior, extreme form of negative punishment
- requires a continuous schedule

• ex: dog that jumps up on people for attention

Question 8

What if flooding?

Answer 8

prolonged exposure to a stimulus until the pet eventually stops reacting
- opposite of desensitization
- more stress and fear

Question 9

What is positive/negative punishment and reinforcement?

Answer 9

positive
- adding something
- giving treats or a shock

negative
- removing something
- removing pressure or a toy

punishment
- decreases the probability of a behavior

reinforcement
- increases the probability of behavior

Question 10

What is a neurological condition that impacts behavior/ learning?

Answer 10

polymorphism in dopamine receptor D4
- DRD4 –? impacts cognitive and emotional behavior

-Exon 3
- higher exploratory activity
- ADHD association

inability to relax, spontaneous activity, poor attention span, etc

Question 11

How does DRD4 impact German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies?

Answer 11

G-Shepherds
- DRD4 exon 3 is linked to activity and impulsivity

Siberian Huskies
- short alleles of DRD4 is linked to activity, impulsivity and inattention

Question 12

Identify the pharmacological intervention in behavioral medicine.

Answer 12

-not a subtitute to behavior work up
- open to client abuse
- not useful alone
- extra- label administration (ELDU)

Question 13

What are antipsychotics?

Answer 13

Acepromazine

-problems with car travel, management fears, and phobia
- blocks dopaminergic receptors
- behavioral disinhibitition

Question 14

What are the pros and cons of antipsychotics?

Answer 14

Benefits
- Dogs and cats
- Sedative properties

Side effects
- Lower threshold of seizures (lower electrical pulse limit in the brain for the seizure to occur)
- Platelet function

Question 15

What are Azapirones?

Answer 15

Buspirone (5HT1A agonist)

-treats urine spraying in cats

Question 16

What are pros and cons of Azapirones?

Answer 16

Benefits
- Timid cats have more confidence
- Does not interfere with learning
- Minimal withdrawal problems

Side effects
- Paradoxical increase in aggression in some

Question 17

What are Benzodiazepines (BZDS)?

Answer 17

• Alprazolam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam*
• anxiolytic properties (anxiety/ phobias)
• Act on GABA receptors (inhibits CNS)

Question 18

What are the pros and cons of BZDS?

Answer 18

Benefits
- Rapid onset

Side effects
- Sedation
- Ataxia
- Appetite
- Idiopathic hepatic necrosis in cats
- Discontinuation syndrome
- Can not be abruptly termination

Question 19

What are Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Answer 19

Clomipramine
- anti-compulsive effects
- separation anxiety
- aggression

-inhibit reuptake norepinephrine + serotonin
- storm phobia, urine spraying, compulsive disord.

Question 20

What are pros and cons of TCAs?

Answer 20

Benefits
- Decreases reactivity, aggression, and fear

Side effects
- Sedation
- GI
- Urinary retention

Question 21

What is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Answer 21

Fluoxetine, prozac, reconcile

-used for separation anxiety
increase serotonin level

Question 22

What are the pros and cons of SSRIs?

Answer 22

Benefits
- Little effect on other neurotransmitters

Side effects
- Do NOT stop taking this abruptly
- Can take up a few weeks until full effects are seen

Question 23

What is Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer 23

selegiline

-inhibitor of MAO-B
- prolongs the presence and actions of dopamine

-cognitive decline
- should not be given with SSRIs. TCAs, or acapirones
- CAN be given with BZDs

Question 24

What are the remaining 3 drugs?

Answer 24

Beta blockers
- anxieties with somatic signs

Anti-epileptic
- gabapentin

carbamazepine

Question 25

What are alternative treatments to medicine?

Answer 25

Synthetic pheromones
- adaptil, feliway

Nutritional supplements
- Solliquin, Zylkene

Diet changes

Flower essence
- modulate emotions conditions

Herbal remedies
- can enhance healing process
- relieve pain and calming effect

Homeopathic remedies
- some animals respond by “normalizing” aberrant behavior

Aromatherapy
- triggers parts of the brain to enhance/ dampen emotional responses`