Behavior

How to recognize problems and implement appropriate client interventions.

For many years, we taught clients who live with dogs who bite that the problem is likely 'dominance' – the dog is possessing over space, food or other resources to establish a hierarchical position. While some aggressive reactions may be due to the dog's perceived need to guard a resource, there is no evidence that interactions with humans aim at establishing rank.

Cats who eliminate outside the litter box pose serious problems for owners that may force the family to place, surrender or euthanize the cat. In many cases, treatment is highly effective with resolution rates between 80-90% if the problem has been properly diagnosed.

Aggression to family members or persons who are familiar with the aggressive dog accounts for the majority of cases presented to veterinary behaviorists. Causes for this behavior vary greatly and may include competitive aggression, fear aggression, pain induced aggression or maternal aggression.

One of my dear friends and colleagues – a veterinary cardiologist – often teases me that behavior can't really be that hard. She thinks that a behaviorist's work rarely exceeds the advice to add another litter box. While it's true that implanting a pace maker is more impressive than 'adding a litter box', I like to emphasize that I'm able to keep more pets in their families and alive when we compare our case outcomes. This hasn't always been the case.

Even the best veterinarian will eventually face a client who is disappointed, angry or frustrated. In this session we will discuss examples that you bring to the table, such as 'Rocky', a ten year old male Springer Spaniel had bitten the clients' two year old daughter.

Free ranging cats have the freedom to choose their preferred elimination location. They would prefer to avoid eliminating in a spot another cat has used (unless they are marking it). Free ranging cats will not urinate and defecate in the same area, and they do not like to eliminate in public places or cave-like settings.

What's the significance of piloerection in cats?

Are we paying enough attention to cats-both young and old?

What to investigate before you refer patients to trainers.

The question of whether dogs have become too "domesticated" has researchers in Australia putting canines to the test for answers.

Dr. Melissa Bain examines whether clients are contributing to pets' bad behavior.

Diet, supplements, drugs and cognitive and physical stimulation all play roles.

A tip to momentarily distract a cat in order to quickly retrieve an item from its cage.

There is no way around it: collecting a behavioral history is time-consuming. But never boring. Given a chance, pet owners will share every detail of every episode that they can recall. Most people are also eager to offer their theories regarding the development of the problem. A systematic means of politely limiting the information flow can be developed with experience.

The veterinary technician with an interest in behavior can help build and maintain a behavior practice within a general practice setting. Technicians are in an ideal position to promote behavior services. Clients will appreciate having a skilled person guide them through the treatment steps outlined by the veterinarian.

Most medical conditions lead to changes in behavior. Veterinary visits are scheduled when pets are "not acting right". Behaviors of concern might include limping, coughing, and vomiting.

Dogs these days are treated as children. They are expected to be social, and to have good manners. Unfortunately, some dogs are just not comfortable with children. Puppies purchased from breeders as well as adults adopted from shelters may present for aggressive behavior toward children.

There's an old expression that goes something like this: "Your words may come back to bite you." Such is the case with terminology in medicine. Striving to communicate, we are inclined to label phenomena before we fully understand what it is we are actually describing.

Remember Lassie? How about all those clever Dalmatians? People are inclined to adopt dogs of certain breeds when they see a dog of that breed behaving in an appealing manner. It is tempting to watch a border collie speed gracefully through an agility course and think, "Wow, I would like a dog like that."

Many cats lose their homes and lives simply because they eliminate in areas other than their litter boxes. Cat owners are often unaware that treatment is available. In fact, the prognosis for resolving housesoiling in cats is often very good.

Factors to consider before prescribing a psychoactive drug.

Cats were once described as solitary animals. Cats typically hunt alone and they do not wander about in packs. It was reasonable to conclude that cats were not a social species.

There are many professionals available to work with behavior problems in dogs. Each has a role, but sometimes, boundaries may seem less than clear.

After completing this unit, you will be able to explain to owners the complicated issues involved in canine elimination. (1 CE credit)

Through the use of examples, this module illustrates the main points necessary to change an animal's behavior in a variety of ways. (2 CE credits)

Behaviorist Gary Landsberg tells you how to identify trainers that use positive practices, not punishment, to teach desirable behaviors in pets.

Dr. Gary Landsberg explains how the first clues to an underlying illness often manifest as behavioral signs.

Veterinary behaviorist Gary Landsberg gives practical options for approaching a sensitive issue.

Make sure you readily recognize these signs to ensure patients aren't suffering.