Topic 2: Animal Behaviour

Question 1

What are tinbergens four questions

Answer 1

Function
Evolution (how has this behaviour changed over time)
Causation
Developemnt (does it change as individual grows)

Question 2

What is innate and learned behaviour

Answer 2

Innate behaviour: inherited/ instinctive behaviour that exhibited by animal
Learned behaviour: developed from experience

Question 3

What are the four types of animal communications methods

Answer 3

Visual (body)
Acoustic (sounds-eg echolocation)
Chemical (pheromones, urine, anal glad secretion, faecal)
Tactile (touching, grooming)

Question 4

What are pheromones

Answer 4

Chemicals that are secreted by an individual and received by a second individual of the same species

Question 5

What are th four developmental phases

Answer 5

Neonatal period
Transitional period
Socialisational period
Juvenile period

Question 6

What happenes during the neonatal period

Answer 6

Eyes and ears canals and unopened (rely on touch and smell)
Complete reliant on parent

Question 7

What happens during the transitional period

Answer 7

3 weeks old
Eyes and ears open and start to function
Coordination improves
Social comm(growling) and interaction( playing) begins
Able to toilet without maternal stimulation

Question 8

What happens during socialising period

Answer 8

4-14 weeks old
Sensitive period: behaviour learnt are lkkely to have long term effect on developement
Socialise

Question 9

What happens during juvenile period

Answer 9

14 weeks- sexual maturity
Behavioural problems may arise

Question 10

What are the different vet visits at the different development periods

Answer 10

First visit (3-4 weeks) (socialisation period) getting info, puppy preschool
Second visit (8-12 weeks) (later on in socialisation period) check in behaviour
Third visit (12-16 weeks) (between socialisation and juvenile period)
5-6 months (usually during desexing period-depends on each breed) behaviour monitor

Question 11

What are the causses of separation anxiety

Answer 11

Weaning puppies before socialisation
Unstable routine or absence of owner
Poor exposure to variety of experiences between 5-10 months old

Question 12

What are the clinical signs and solutions to separation anxiety

Answer 12

Signs: damaging property, excessive vocalisation, self trauma, unwanted elimination in home, agression, storm phobia
Treatment: training and positive reinforcement
Adding another animal
Medication

Question 13

What are the causes of food aggression

Answer 13

Dominance
Genetics
Early learning
Competing for food in litter

Question 14

How to manage food agression

Answer 14

Use treats to lure dog away from bowl before taking it away
Avoid punishment
Be extra vigilant near children

Question 15

Agression while walking causes

Answer 15

Excited dog tries to greet other animal, owner pulls (negative reinforcement)
Signals to dog that meeting people or other dogs in problematic
Can lead to increase anxiety and fear

Question 16

Treatment for agression while walking

Answer 16

Behavioural training

Question 17

Causes of innwpropriate elimination

Answer 17

Mark teritory

Question 18

Treatment for inappropriate elimination

Answer 18

If anxiety related: medication
Provide more litter trays
Use odour elimination (cannot smell territory)