Understanding Pet Behavior Problems

Pet Behavior

• Pet Behavior Problems: Often the reason pets are taken to shelters. More common than other medical issues, making them a primary cause of euthanasia, relinquishment, or abandonment.
• Prevention is Key: Easier to prevent behavior problems than to address them.
• Proactive Veterinary Team: Veterinarians should proactively ask clients about pet behavior and training.
• Education: Provide information about normal behavior and training, educating owners to recognize and address any problem behaviors.

Canine Behavior Problems

• Housebreaking: A common problem.
• Chewing: Normal puppy behavior, but excessive chewing can be a problem.
• Barking: Excessive barking can be a problem.
• Digging: Excessive digging can be a problem.
• Aggression: Aggression toward people or other pets is a serious issue.
• Separation Anxiety: Anxiety when owners are absent. Rule out medical issues first.

Fantasy vs. Reality

• Realistic Goals: Set realistic goals for puppy training, keeping in mind the puppy’s developmental stage and the owner's schedule.
• Owner's Needs: Training should focus on the owner's actual abilities and schedule.
• Age Considerations: Account for the puppy's developmental stage. Expecting too much too soon will lead to problems and frustration.
• Behavior Counseling: Behavior counseling can help owners identify specific needs and resources.

Starting Off Right

• Crate Training: Crate training helps with housebreaking, prevents destructive chewing, and provides a safe space for the dog.
• Improper Use: Improper use of crates can create separation anxiety, barking, and house soiling.
• Puppy Selection: Picking the right puppy and starting off on the right track is crucial.

Crate Training Details

• Quiet Spot: Put crate in a quiet but not isolated spot.
• Multiple Crates: May need more than one crate.
• Short-Term Confinement: Initially use only for short-term confinement until the puppy becomes accustomed to it.
• Elimination Needs: Young puppies cannot hold it for long periods without elimination.
• Treat Motivation: Use treats to entice the puppy into the crate.
• Toys in Crate: Place hollow dog toys filled with treats inside the crate.
• Routine: Use crates whenever you are at home – rest, potty, play, repeat hourly.

Potty Training

• Natural Instincts: Puppies have a natural instinct to avoid soiling their den.
• Elimination Area: Take puppies to the elimination area frequently at home to establish a routine.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use a phrase like "go potty" and reward for successful potty visits to reinforce good behavior.
• Confining: When not at home, confine the puppy in the crate or other area with a hard floor and necessary supplies.

Potty Training Takes Time

• Pup's Limits: Puppies have limited bladder and bowel control at different ages.
• Time Limits: Puppies cannot hold their bladders for very long initially.
• Gradual Access: Gradually provide access to larger areas as the puppy matures.

Chewing

• Acceptable Outlets: Chew toys provide acceptable outlets for normal chewing behavior.
• Occupy Time: Chewing can occupy a puppy’s time, stopping them from barking or digging.
• Separation Anxiety: Dogs occupied with chew toys are less prone to separation anxiety.

Chew Toy Training

• Puppy Playroom: Place chew toys in the puppy's playroom (or doggy den).
• Kong/CET Chew Toys: Fill Kong or CET chews with treats and kibble for hours of entertainment.
• Limited Access: Give the puppy access only to chew toys and nothing else that they could chew on, such as shoes or socks.

Socialization With People

• Early Socialization: Starting socialization with various people from a young age minimizes aggression.
• Shy Pups: Shy or fearful pups may have been ignored or abused in the past.
• Critical Period: 3-12 weeks is crucial for socializing puppies with people.
• Positive Interactions: Provide positive, varied experiences with different people (kids, neighbors, delivery drivers).
• Positive Kibble Experience: Kibble can be part of a positive early experience.

Socialization With Dogs

• Litter Socialization: Socializing with other pups in the litter.
• Interruption: Socialization with other dogs ends when leaving the litter and starting vaccinations.
• Puppy Classes: Re-establish socialization with other dogs through puppy classes.
• Dog Park: Dog park visits after vaccinations.

Bite Inhibition

• Natural Behavior: Biting and mouthing each other is normal puppy behavior.
• Injury Prevention: Learning bite inhibition during puppyhood reduces the risk of injury in adult dogs.
• Do’s and Don'ts: No hurting; No pressure; Let go; Wait until asked for behavior adjustments.

Obedience Training

• Easier Daily Life: Basic obedience makes daily life easier. Commands like "walk on leash," "sit," and "stay" are helpful.
• Young Pups: Begin teaching obedience commands with young pups.
• Immediate Rewards: Immediate rewards are effective in learning commands.
• Consistent Response: Intermittent rewards result in more consistent responses over time.
• Active Dogs: Advanced training is great for active dogs and builds confidence.
• Scheduling: Busy schedules make formal training difficult.

Separation Anxiety

• General Anxiety: Any dog can suffer from separation anxiety.
• Destructive Behavior: Leads to destructive behavior and injury, often within the first 30 minutes of the owner leaving.
• Signs: Signs include barking, howling, urination/defecation, chewing/digging/destruction, pacing, and escaping.
• Professional Help: Seek veterinary behaviorist consultation.

Canine Body Language

• Stress Signals: Common in veterinary hospitals and indicate potential for aggression.
• Indicator Recognition: Identify stress signals from the whole body, and use the overall body language to get a good reading.
• Example Signals: Dilated pupils, ears back, vocalization, hiding, raised fur, arched back, and tail swatting are examples.

Common Feline Behavior Problems

• Litter Box Issues: Inappropriate urination/defecation outside of the litter box.
• Furniture Scratching: Excessive scratching of furniture.
• Socialization Issues: Socialization problems with people, other cats, dogs, or other pets.

Socialization (Kittens)

• Key Period: 3-7 weeks is the crucial socialization period for kittens.
• Exposure: Expose kittens to typical household activities.
• Room Introduction: Introduce them to one room at a time, potentially with a large crate for a safe space.
• Play Interactions: Play with them regularly in their assigned area. Offer food treats in the area.
• Room Expansions: Allow interaction with other rooms after a week, and increase their access as they adapt.
• Safety: Use baby gates to allow them to return to a safe room if needed.

Cat-Friendly Litter Boxes

• Quantity: Minimum of one litter box per cat, plus one additional box.
• Location: Placed in various locations within the home.
• Litter Box Types: Better if bigger in size; Covered versus uncovered; Easily accessible but secluded.
• Litter Choice: Consider clumping, gravel, paper, scented, or unscented litter. A thin layer is ideal.
• Cleaning: Always clean the boxes thoroughly.

Litter Box Training

• Enrichment: Confine the kitten to a small room with a litter box, food, and water.
• Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward the kitten when it uses the box.
• Gradual Exposure: Gradually allow the kitten access to other rooms in the home.
• Multiple Boxes: In larger homes, two or more litter boxes are sometimes necessary.

Scratching Posts

• Attraction: Must be more appealing to scratching than furniture.
• Variety: Offers a variety of textures (rope, corrugated cardboard) to appeal to different cats.
• Durability: Should be sturdy enough for frequent use and scratching.

Alternatives to Scratching Posts

• Cosmic Cat Scratcher: A product to discourage scratching other furniture.
• Sticky Paws: Another product to discourage scratching other furniture.

Feliscratch

• Scent Mimicking: Product copies cat's scent on a scratching surface to encourage scratching on the desired surface.
• Success Rate: More than 90% of cats using this product successfully redirect scratching behavior.
• Fast Adjustment: 8 out of 10 cats start using their new scratching posts within the first 7 days.

Declawing

• Procedure: Removal of the claw and distal bone of the toe.
• Cat Type: Procedure is for indoor cats only on the front paws only.
• Pain Management: Requires analgesics post-procedure.
• Recovery: Use paper in the litter box for at least two weeks post-op.

Effects of Declawing

• Increased Problems: Declawing may increase behavioral problems like litter box avoidance and aggression.
• Alternatives: Better alternatives include nail trimming, scratching posts, and nail covers.

Feline Body Language

• Stress in Veterinary: Patient stress is common in veterinary hospitals.
• Body Language Clues: Cats use body language to signal stress and potential aggression.
• Observation Required: The veterinary staff should be able to recognize and understand the various signs of stress and potential aggression in cats.
• Examples: Dilated pupils, ears back, vocalization (including purring), hiding, raised fur, arched back, and tail swatting.

Explore common pet behavior issues that lead to abandonment and the importance of prevention. Learn about specific canine problems such as housebreaking, barking, and aggression. This quiz emphasizes the role of veterinarian education in managing these behaviors effectively.