Dog Behavioural Problems Lecture 3 VETS1023 Using the Principles of Learning to Solve Behavioural Problems of dogs. Case Studies Presented by Dr Cam Day Animal Behaviour Veterinarian Cam Day Consulting Ph 07 32550022 drcam@pethealth.com.au www.pethealth.com.au Access PPT and MP3 files of this presentation students@pethealth.com.au 1

Recap When solving behavioural problems: Try to use PR and NP and minimise PP Bring the end of the behaviour up to the beginning to stop self-reinforcement Use cognitive therapy to teach the dog the commands it needs to respond to when it is calm Cone down (or focus) on the problem by eliminating wrongful behaviour when you are not there to solve it. Then plan to deal with the behaviours when you are available. 2

Recap What does behaviour therapy entail? Is it medical? Can the animal learn to be good? How will the behaviour be managed to create a solution Will medication be needed? For first year – we will concentrate on the question Can the Animal Learn to be Good 3

Pierre the Attention Seeker Pierre’s problem Use the ‘invisible dog’ principle – visualise the behaviour you want, not the behaviour that offends and then work on how to get that behaviour The ‘invisible’ behaviour is Pierre sitting still for 5 seconds or more and then getting a reward Method – the Circle of Commands Result The Circle of Commands patterns left-brained logical thinking behaviour – exactly what this dog needs What would happen if you tried to PP this behaviour? 4

Mad Muchin’ Maddie Case Study:- Maddie 5yo Fox Terror Problem – aggression to visitors (and behaviour veterinarians) 5

Maddie’s Therapy What is the invisible dog we need? A dog that is sitting quietly and listening What do you do when he shows aggression? Be a statue – ignore it What do we do when he calms? Reward the behaviour but wait for 5 seconds to be sure you truly have the behaviour you want. 6

The Attack of Zoro Aggression always involves risk assessment Case Study:- Zoro, 65kg 5 years Mastiff Cross Problem:- Aggression to family especially the 10 y.o. daughter Dog weight 65kg – daughter 24kg!! What is the risk? Children under 10 = 43% of dog-bite hospital admissions 48% of dog bite injuries in children are head, neck and trunk If you were the parent – what would you do? 7

Barking Boris Case Study Boris 18 m.o. Bull TerrierX Problem: Barking at fence Therapy:- How would you cone down? What is the ‘invisible dog’ that is desired? How could you achieve that? What could be done to better manage the problem? 8

The Kelvinator Masticator Case Study Skippy 2 yo Cocker Spaniel Problem:- Chews fridge!! And door handles, corners of cupboards, legs of furniture, door jambs etc. An important question – When does Skippy do this? When owners are present or absent? Answer – both – therefore not just a separation anxiety type behaviour This is a compulsive behaviour and is ABNORMAL Mostly they are not responsive to training Therapy – repetitive left-brain patterning with the circle of commands, cone down, create the ‘invisible dog’ using commands and PR. And compulsions come in other forms. (View movie) 9

The Whirlpool Whumper Case Study Problem:- Result Whizzy Noise fears 3 yo Staffordshire Bull Terrier Problem:- Noise fears Result $25,000 damage in 8hrs 10

The Whirlpool Whumper continued Therapy:- What to advise when the owner is away (A sound proof Den) What to advise when the owner is home (Left brain patterning the COC) Desensitisation (Using sound effects) Pheromones (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Medication 11

Summary This lecture has dealt mostly with how the principles of learning can be applied to common behaviours However, we have also introduced the concept that some behaviour is abnormal and cannot be solved by training techniques. Most behaviours, like Whizzer, require a balanced and multi-faceted approach involving: Is there a medical reason for the behavioural problem? Can the animal learn to be behave appropriately? How is the problem managed? Is medication or pheromone therapy needed 12