Unwelcome behaviour in dogs and cats Flashcards
What is the leading reason of death in young companion animals?
Behavioural problems
Are certain behavioural traits linked to breeds?
Yes, cerain breeds have certain behavioural traits
What questions would you ask in order to determine if a behaviour is problematic?
- Is the behaviour problematic for the animal, the owner, other animals or other human?
- Is the behaviour normal for the species?
- Is the behaviour normal for the individual?
What factors determine behaviour?
- Current environment
- Genetics
- Past experiences
How can you prevent problem behaviour from developing in the first place?
- Socialisation
- Correct puppy and kitten rearing
- Selecting an appropriate pet for your situation (type, breed, age, sex, sire and dam)
- Sufficient preparation of the home
- house trainign
- play
- fulfullment of behavioural needs
- knowing when to ignore behaviours
- castration
- early intervention if problems arise
What are the key steps in treating behavioural problems?
- Gathering history
- identify the motivation and triggers (causes)
- Manage the environment
- behavioural modificaiton (learning)
Some of the above may be treated with psychopharmaceuticals.
What are some common pathological unwelcome behaviours in dogs?
- Aggression
- Separation Anxiety
- Phobias
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
What are some common management related (or normal but displayed in undesirable contexts) unwelcome behaviours in dogs?
- Jumping
- Scratching
- Barking
- Digging
- Mouthing/grabbing/biting
- Mounting/humping
- Coprophagia
- Rolling in faces
- Constantly moving
What is a solution to jumping, scratching, barking and lunging in dogs?
- Acknowledge, attend to door, ask dog to sit and be quite and reward this behaviour, only open the door when the dog is quiet
- Scratching - use a shield on the door to prevent damage, create a ‘dog doorbell’ and reward the dog’s use of it (redirect)
What is a solution to barking and patrolling the street in dogs?
- Prevent dog from stimulus (curtains, blinds, barriers)
- Provide other stimulation (automatic treat dispenser)
- If owner is home, use same approach as dogs that are reactive at doors
What is a solution to digging in dogs?
- Play, companionship, sand or soil boxes with buried toys/treats, kiddie pools, food toys
- Thermoregulation options (pools, fans, digging pits with wet sand)
What is a solution to mouthing, grabbing and biting in dogs?
- Toy basket near the door. Dog must take a toy in its mouth before walking through the door (redirect).
- Stop interacting when it occurs and freeze
- Give gentle verbal cue (‘No’)
- Gently remove body part(s) while holding dog
- Quickly offer a toy or something to chew and praise dog when it takes it - redirection
- ‘Startling’ but not scaring - using a disruptive stimulus
What is a solution to mounting or humping in dogs?
- Ask dog to stop and sit and reward instantly.
- Leave and ignore dog if it continues to hump.
What is a solution to coprophagia (eating faeces) in dogs?
- Keep dog away from faeces or the faeces away from the dog
- Other consideration would be regular screening for parasites
What is the solution to rolling in faeces in dogs?
- Early intervention –call dog away when it begins sniffing and reward dog for coming
