tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27755702759557250672023-11-15T23:28:40.873-08:00The Pet PerspectiveThe Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-6260825797304688772015-09-20T14:50:00.001-07:002015-09-20T14:50:17.746-07:00Awkward Moments in Pet Ownership: The Humping Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1">My previous dog was a Basset Hound, and like many of his breed, he was a clown. He loved to play and, on occasion, he would hump his favorite bear. This often manifested in a display which reminded me of a football center trying to hike a football - repeatedly. Needless to say it was a great giggle point for my friends, but I’d typically ignore it since it was easily manageable and preventable. Not everyone is that lucky.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Mounting or “humping” makes owners feel uncomfortable, even though animals know nothing of being prudish. I suspect much of the discomfort relates to the thought that their pet is showing sexual or “dominant” behavior while grinding away on a friend’s leg during a party. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">In reality, mounting is a very complex behavior which has a myriad of causes, none of which are related to your dog finding people attractive or trying to dominate your guest. To start off with, let’s go over things we know: humping is a natural behavior found in dogs for reproductive purposes. Any natural behavior is one that you’ll probably see puppies practicing while playing with one another. This goes for both sexes. If your pet is altered, it may decrease the biological need for the behavior, but it doesn’t remove it from their doggy “vocabulary”. The behavior may be lessened, but can still erupt if there’s a local female in heat. Additionally, humping feels good - dogs will masturbate and will find an object (or person) as an acceptable proxy.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Another reason for humping is as coping mechanism to deal with social stress such as excitement, anxiety or frustration As a displacement behavior, humping fulfills the need to do “something” to dispel stress when emotionally conflicted—akin to human chewing on their finger nails. A prime time where humping will happen in this case may be during transitions (someone arriving or leaving), during intense play or when the pet can’t get what it really wants (a treat, a toy or access to another person or animal).</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The issue at hand with this behavior is the human reaction to it: embarrassment. Reactions to the behavior are important since it could be considered as encouragement. If people are laughing, the dog sees this as a cue to do it again. Keep in mind, depending on the type of dog you have, yelling can ALSO be reinforcing if the goal was to get your attention. In general the act is self-rewarding, so don’t add to it! In rare cases, this can become a compulsive behavior (where the pet isn’t able to stop himself from performing the behavior). With all of this in mind, how can you explain to your dog you want him to be remain “G” rated?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Determine a few things: when does your dog do it, where, in what circumstance and for how long does it occur. Can your dog be interrupted when engaged in the behavior? These are essential questions. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">If you discover your dog engages in the behavior within the first 10 minutes from the arrival of guests - he may be doing it due to stress or excitement. Keep your dog in a bedroom with a food treat when guests arrive. When he seems calm, this is a good time to introduce him to the new arrivals. If he attaches himself to someone, call him or lead him away (no need to be angry, but apologize to your guest!) to an area where he can settle with a food toy or other activity.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">If it seems to happen at the dog park when the dogs are playing, it may be play behavior. Teach your dog to have mini time-outs for treats if you see he’s getting revved up. Practice simple obedience cues for rewards, then send him back out again. Typical play behavior may be exhibited by a dog who mounts another for a few moments and goes back to playing. If your dog is the type who’s making the rounds humping a single or multiple dogs over and over again consider it may be a displacement behavior due to social stress. Consider a smaller or more mellow play group. If that appears too much, consider just taking him for walks with other dogs rather than overwhelming him with a “pack” at the park.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">If your dog is mounting objects, determine if this is a big deal. Really, it’s not hurting anyone, so turning a blind eye isn’t wrong. If he’s doing it frequently, see if he can be positively distracted. DO NOT punish your dog for this behavior! If he’s doing it out of anxiety, it will just feed the reason for doing it in the first place. If his focus is on an inanimate object, you can manage the situation: put item away and engage him in other activities. Additionally, you might try introducing an incompatible behavior: Distract your dog for a game of tug or ask him to “sit”. It’s ideal to invoke these cues </span><span class="s2">prior</span><span class="s1"> to your pet engaging in full blown humping. If your dog can’t be distracted (you’ve tried to remove him from the situation but he goes immediately back to it) consider an appointment with a Veterinary Behaviorist. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">A final note: don’t assume that your dog is trying to be dominant. Labeling an action as “dominant” is often misapplied and can erode the bond with the pet. Again, this behavior is most often shown in numerous emotional states which have nothing to do with a “power play” between people, animals or even stuffed animals. </span></div>
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The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-55009802212729349912015-08-03T21:49:00.001-07:002015-08-03T21:49:58.253-07:00Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As of last week, I graduated from the Professional Dog Trainer’s Course through the Karen Pryor Academy. The process of learning new skills was terrific for me, but it was even better for my 15 year old Beagle Pocket.</div>
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<span class="s1">Pocket had been an animal actor many years back and was an absolute ham. The minute he entered the set, he lit up immediately. Unfortunately, seven years later his career was cut short due to a compressed cervical disc. After surgery, he was officially retired. We still would go for walks regularly, light hikes and road trips - but his training took a backseat. When I applied for KPA, I chose him as my partner because I know how much he enjoys the spot light. What I didn’t realize was how the training would change my perceptions about my relationship with my dog.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Lesson One:</b> <i>OMG he doesn’t know how to think for himself!</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1">In his former career, we used a lot of manipulation and luring. This became blatantly apparent when I started clicker training. The beauty of the clicker is your dog is an active participant in the learning process. Many of the behaviors that are put on cue are based on natural behaviors that the dog offers. Here lies the problem: If you’ve been told exactly what to do all of your life, and then someone says “hey, show me what you can do!” it’s downright weird. Pocket found this process frustrating. He’d get a click, eat, then stare at me as if he was asking for his next line in a script. I’d wait for something small that I could click, to keep up the rate of reinforcement, but he’d quickly become flustered. It took a while for him to break free and start offering behaviors on his own. The day it happened, he seemed like he’d been freed from a straightjacket.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Lesson Two:</b> <i>What was bad is now good.</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Pocket historically hated fetching. Originally, we placed the object in his mouth, he was told to “hold” and then it was removed for a treat. It sucked. He looked like he was fetching a dirty toad. With clicker training, this all changed! I put a highlighter pen near him and waited - he stepped near it - I clicked! He looked at it - I clicked! This continued until he was picking it up with amazing gusto! I laughed so hard at his discovery of the new “game” that I wanted to cry. It was the best day ever - see for yourself: </span></div>
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<b><span class="s1">L</span>esson Three:</b> <i>You talk with your hands</i></div>
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<span class="s1">I am a horrible double cuing machine! Cuing is an established trigger which tells your dog what behavior to perform. For example: If you ask your dog to sit you expect his furry little heiny to hit the pavement. The thing I didn’t realize is that I would ask Pocket to “sit” with a verbal cue while giving a hand gesture at the same time - this is double cuing. For all these years I thought Pocket knew the word “Sit”, but with my hands sequestered behind my back I received a blank look. When I let my hands do the talking by themselves - BAM, butt on pavement. Lesson learned.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Lesson Four:</b> <i>There's no "I" in Team</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1">My last assessment for the class was to show off a fluent chain of ten behaviors seamlessly blended together. Each behavior doesn’t get a click and treat. Instead, your cuing reinforces the previous behavior. It’s like a row of dominos that are stacked on end, ready to tip each other over. The cue acts as the flick of momentum to get each one domino to tip into the next. Timing is essential, or the next domino won’t fall. If properly done, it creates a chain of behaviors that morph from one to the next naturally, cuing one after the other until the click and treat at the end. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">On the day of the assessment Pocket was eating grass and, over all, not feeling well. Though he obviously felt sick, he did his best. It wasn’t beautiful, but he was a trooper. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a flicker of panic to push him harder…but I didn’t because clicker training is about the bond you have with your partner. Though this was my exam, it was just a training session to him, and one he didn’t feel up to participating in. I stopped early, unsure whether our efforts were enough to gain a passing score. I never felt bad about my decision though; Pocket spent years doing what he was told, and now he finally had the power make his own decisions - to do or not do. It was my job to listen, even if my grade was on the line. To disregard his needs would be an unimaginable breech of trust.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I can’t say how happy I am that I went on this adventure with Pocket. He’s recovered from his tummy trouble, I passed my course, and managed to keep my promise to be a better listener. As you can see—I, too, can learn new tricks.</span></div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-27922619449711735582015-05-25T22:42:00.000-07:002015-05-25T22:42:01.057-07:00They're Speaking, But Are We Listening?<div class="p1">
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<span class="s1">Due to our conversation-heavy communication style, dogs are considered nuanced since they use tons of body language to convey feeling. This can make owner-pet relations strained if the human isn’t up to the task of learning a new language. Learning “Dog” is something that pet owners can pick up with time and experience. Some behaviors, such as a play bow, a whole body whipping tail wag or growling and snarling are quickly picked up. What’s missed is in the details. When your dog’s body language changes, it’s a huge boon in understanding their intentions and concerns. These changes are related to your dog’s threshold for new experiences or effects of old concerning triggers. If you learn how to pay attention, you can often create a more confident and comfortable pet who doesn’t feel the need to become reactive.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What is a threshold? A threshold is essentially an emotional thermometer. At the low end, you have a relaxed and content animal. At the high end, your dog is a overly aroused, aggressive or terrified. By understanding the various stages of the threshold thermometer, it will assist you in understanding whether you can turn a bad situation into a positive one - or if retreat is the best option. If you’re new to learning “Dog”, please click this <span class="s2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00_9JPltXHI" target="_blank">youtube video link</a> </span></span>for a short introduction to deciphering body language. For an in-depth presentation of body language, we recommend “The Language of Dogs” DVD by Sarah Kalnajs. Lastly, you can click this link for a list of canine <a href="http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/handout-signs-anxiety-and-fear" target="_blank"><span class="s2">Signs of stress and anxiety</span></a>. Get familiar with them and try to highlight the ones your dog shows most often. Note when it happens: a certain area, time of day, with a specific person or animal, when a resource is present, etc. Keep in mind to evaluate the dog’s <b>entire</b> body. A simple lip lick may mean “I’m thirsty” when combined with soft eyes and a loose body. Typically you’ll see more than one at a time to let you know that you really are seeing stress.</div>
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<span class="s1">Why is all of this so important? Because reading “Dog” can make potentially bad interactions into beneficial ones. So here’s a scenario: You’re walking your dog down the street when he sees a motorcyclist get off of his bike about 20 feet away. Your dog slows it’s pace, starts to stare, lets a few abbreviated barks and starts to back up. This would be a perfect time to whip out some treats and see if you can get your dog’s attention. If you can, ask for some simple behaviors you can reward and then leave - going the other direction. This session will open the door to your dog becoming more comfortable with a motorcyclist next time since the adventure was marked with yummy treats and there was no confrontation. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Some people might see this as their dog being a “wuss” and proceed by dragging the dog over towards the motorcyclist. “See! It’s just a person. Hey Buddy, could you pet my dog so he can see you’re not scary?” This would be a perfect way to create a long standing fear or even a phobia. This person looks weird, remember? When ordinary people or animals look weird, dogs often see them as concerning. Alas, as you drag your dog over, his ears go back, he licks his lips and then pulls to get free. His tail’s tucked, he keeps looking away - he’s screaming “NO!!! SCARY ALIEN!” The closer you get to the person, the more your pet fights. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">At this point your pet is trapped, since running away isn’t much of an option for a leashed dog. A dog that’s forced into a situation may feel helpless and shut-down. A “shut-down” dog is one that’s so traumatized that it gives up. The dog may not fight you, but the effect of this situation will lead to greatly intensified fear in the future.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The flip side of the coin is your dog may attack. When a dog is over its threshold it goes into “fight or flight” behavior. If there’s no way to leave, the dog will attack defensively. By understanding the early warning signs that your dog’s over threshold, this can be averted. Many dogs learn to bite because the previous warnings: barking, running away, growling, etc were not heeded. Biting ALWAYS works since the object of their ire normally will retreat - which is what the dog wanted in the first place. With such a record of success, the dog may use it as a favorite in its “leave me alone” repertoire. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">To help you understand thresholds, please feel free to click on the link (and share) our PDF version of our <a href="http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/behavior/Threshold%20Thermometer.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="s2">UC Davis Threshold Thermometer</span></a>. Some say actions speak louder than words, but unless we’re all on the same page, misunderstanding can lead to painful life lessons.</span></div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-8000904920968669732015-03-14T19:51:00.002-07:002015-03-15T10:00:59.400-07:00Puppy Socialization and Training - A Winning Investment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Puppy socialization and training is an essential component
of a dog’s life. It lays the foundation of communication between the owner and
the pet, as well as defining boundaries and expectations. Without training, a
pet is far more likely to be euthanized due to behavior-related issues that the
owner finds intolerable. Considering the stakes at hand, it’s troubling that
only a small percentage of owners take their dogs to puppy classes. The owners
who decide to train their dog themselves (or not at all) have many reasons, but
the impact of missing this golden opportunity is far-reaching.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I took my last dog to class, so I know what I’m doing. Why
should I spend money to have someone tell me what I already know?” Training
methods change. As the years go by, innovations in science and teaching methods
have developed better ways to communicate with your pet. Additionally, if your
last class was 15 years ago, a brush up goes a long way! I took Algebra in high
school, though now I’d probably flounder, since I only use a few select
principles in daily life. A refresher of principles and clean training habits
are as good for you as they are for the dog.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“If I take my dog to training class, he’s going to get
exposed to Parvo, and he’s not fully vaccinated.” Once upon a time, every vet gave
you this advice. Again, times have changed. According to Veterinary Behaviorist
Dr. Meredith Stepita’s study on “<b><a href="http://www.luckydogsportsclub.com/pdf_files/parvo_%20risk_socialization.pdf" target="_blank">Frequency of CPV infection in vaccinatedpuppies that attended puppy socialization classes</a>”</b>, the fear of Parvovirus
(CPV) is less of a worry compared to the threat of euthanasia. As she has
previously stated “Approximately 250,000 animals are euthanized annually as a
direct result of behavior problems”. Conversely, her study indicated that
“vaccinated puppies attending socialization classes were at no greater risk of
CPV infection than vaccinated puppies that did not attend those classes.”
Typically early puppy classes require one prior DAP vaccine, a clear fecal test
and no signs of illness for the safety of attendees. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m busy right now, so I’ll get him into classes later.” Classes
for adult dogs and socialization engagements are terrific, but can’t make up
for early interaction. Dogs have a short, ideal socialization period ranging
between the ages of 8-16 weeks. During that time, puppies are very malleable
and accept new experiences readily. Controlled exposure to new people, other
dogs, sounds, places, distractions and textures at this age prevent future
fears. Trainers work with owners to detect signs of fear or aggression which
can be more easily dealt with early on. Once your pet is past the socialization
period, you’re no longer socializing, you’re applying desensitizing and
counterconditioning (gradually introducing things your dog fears in small
easily tolerated sessions, while offering high value rewards). This type of
training is a much longer and harder road.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“My dog doesn't need to be socialized with other dogs. I
have two other dogs at home and she does just fine.” This would be like saying
I’m fine with all people, based on the fact I get along with my own family
members. If I never went out of the house (except to go to the doctor or a
stroll around the block), meeting new people who had a different appearance,
customs or spoke with an accent could become scary and very stressful. I might
not understand how to act around them, therefore leading to awkwardness and
miscommunication. It’s much the same way with dogs. They need to be around
other dog breeds, sizes, and body types so they can learn to understand and
interact appropriately.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Though most puppies will meld into a group class
immediately, some may not be the right fit if they’re very reactive or fearful.
These dogs would need one-on-one training prior to being stable enough to enter
a group situation. The benefits to the “average dog” makes any inconvenience or
cost of a quality training class seem like a trifle. No longer is puppy class
just about teaching “obedience”, rather it’s about cementing a lifelong
partnership through learning and discovery for dog and human alike. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-29218169894514502132015-02-20T16:01:00.001-08:002015-02-20T16:02:19.141-08:00What's the Prognosis<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the hardest parts of working in the Behavior field is
confronting the question “so do you think I should put him down?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WQgw6yFfE1JpyWK-c6cF06Bx2lb1Lueoumzza3TYZB0MzpF5X4lUCFyt58E2gQBSp2Y9kvWxrkchNn_PquMUV1Zy16yaTR8mdjXpfR5ZwjLj6a0RE3v0yJEmAVwhTZcQqGDlWhNTYRpF/s1600/46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WQgw6yFfE1JpyWK-c6cF06Bx2lb1Lueoumzza3TYZB0MzpF5X4lUCFyt58E2gQBSp2Y9kvWxrkchNn_PquMUV1Zy16yaTR8mdjXpfR5ZwjLj6a0RE3v0yJEmAVwhTZcQqGDlWhNTYRpF/s1600/46.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When an owner arrives for their appointment, we realize that
many are coming as their last resort. They’ve tried what worked for their last
dog, suggestions from friends, spent time with trainers, spoken to their
veterinarian and now they’re taking one last shot with us. From each past
effort there’s been peaks of hope and plummets of despair, and now they’re
frustrated, angry, sad, lost and hopefully still interested in trying again in
a new direction. The owner who has a dangerous dog is the most likely to ask “Is
this fixable? Am I a bad person for giving up? Should I give up? Would it be
better if I find him a new home?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are all valid questions that we take seriously. We
never make the decision for our client. Instead we give a clear picture of the
dog that they have in order to determine if they’re willing to commit to trying
again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first step is to explain what is concerning in the
situation. A large dog is inherently more dangerous than a small one due to the
amount of damage that can be done. Does the dog have readily identifiable
triggers that we can work on, or is it more generalized? Is the behavior based
in fear or confidence? Has the pet hurt someone before? Where does the family reside
and how high is the threat to the public? What has the owner tried before? Is
the owner’s home life a problem (elderly people who can’t get away, exposure to
children, etc.)? Can the dog be safely managed by the owner? Is the human-animal
bond broken? Is owner willing to make the changes and sacrifices necessary to help
their pet while providing safety for their family and the pubic? That’s a lot
of questions, but all of them are important to give the owner a prognosis for
the issue at hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With this information in mind, our job is to support the
owner as they wade through the pros and cons, feeling and fears to get to a
decision. As a service, we support owners in the decision to euthanize their
pet if it poses a danger. Some would find euthanasia of an otherwise healthy
animal repugnant. The thing is - the pet isn’t perfectly healthy. Mentally,
this pet is not doing well. Many of these dogs have equal parts of nature and
nurture creating a perfect storm for bad things. The owner may not be the right
person to take on this project, and it’s our hope that if they do decide to
euthanize then at least they may avoid making the same mistakes with future
pets. Is it fair for the dog? Probably not, but warehousing the pet for the
rest of its life isn’t exactly a kind fate either. Rehoming is typically
irresponsible in these situations. As much as I would love to have the perfect
owner pop up to whisk the dog away, finding someone with the knowledge and
ability to adopt an aggressive dog is like winning the lottery. We’ve seen
rescues which adopt out dogs with a history of aggression problems and it
creates a rehoming nightmare. The dog is bounced from home to home, breaking
hearts (of the owners and pet) until someone decides to pulls the plug. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Euthanasia is permanent. Ending a life is never easy for any
veterinarian, and we’re no exception. As it is, our service euthanizes a dog
about every 6 months. It’s our hope that owners keep this information in mind
when deciding to adopt a pet. Do your research, socialize and train your dog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and if things seem to be going badly, the
best way to avoid euthanasia is to seek out professional help early.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-23637127020341872782015-02-04T22:01:00.000-08:002015-09-21T13:15:53.493-07:00An Ode to the Non-Retractable Leash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG1OoHzVB2Fv_pF7LbTJzI8suiY6PkSGOpuR5igujMNzseKozRQDF_b9RZLhqDH7iLDMZNZbf7E0Jyr0lgHk5JpuMj1oVFNFiN8jQ9_71bDpyhR1ru19C7QmRnaAxyE7wbjrSvW9ax6C1/s1600/retracto+leash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG1OoHzVB2Fv_pF7LbTJzI8suiY6PkSGOpuR5igujMNzseKozRQDF_b9RZLhqDH7iLDMZNZbf7E0Jyr0lgHk5JpuMj1oVFNFiN8jQ9_71bDpyhR1ru19C7QmRnaAxyE7wbjrSvW9ax6C1/s1600/retracto+leash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there’s one seemingly innocuous item I could eliminate
from the Earth, it would be retractable leashes. These leashes are popular with
owners who love the freedom it affords their pet. Indeed, the dog can jet
ahead, trail behind, sniff or eliminate without causing a break in pace for the
owner. Additionally, retractable leashes aren't as cumbersome as carrying a
long-line. Over all, it would seem like a dream come true. I know many people
who love these leashes so much that to take it away, you’d have to pry it from their
cold dead hand. There can be advantages if the leash is used by a conscientious
owner who understands its inappropriate use, and can judge whether their pet
should be walked on one at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though the lead itself seems benign, the design lends itself
to becoming a mobile razor wire and tripping hazard all in one. This is no
joke! I have long suggested retracto-leads as a James Bond weapon. If you look
at the packaging, you’ll see a sticker or packaging alerting you to the danger
of cuts, burns and finger amputation. It can cause bodily injury due to falls caused
by tripping or wrapping up in the line. Additionally, if your pet breaks the
lead, there’s a danger of face or eye injury. Oh yes, it sounds like you’re
playing with a bright shiny chainsaw rather than a dog leash. In fact, the
danger is so severe that labels state, “avoid using around small children”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides the ghastly injuries that they cause, I hate them
due to the way people use them. If you have a dog that pulls, a retractable leash
only teaches your dog to be more effective at pulling. When an owner notes the
dog is harshly gasping against the pressure of its collar, they often opt for a
body harness. You know—the ones they use for sled dogs. Nothing like a good
tractor pull! Far worse is the owner who combines the retractable with a choke
or prong collar, since the dog will be constantly correcting itself while
pulling for more lead. Mind you, most people miss the warning on the device
stating it isn't to be used with “disobedient or uncontrollable” dogs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’re enjoying your walk with your dog romping around 10-25
feet away, it makes it difficult to keep track of what’s going on. At the park,
it’s not uncommon to see owners talking to a friend while their dog is off leaving
a fecal calling card in the distance – with the owner totally unaware. They may
also not notice that their pet is running in between people, tying a kid to a
tree or rushing someone else’s dog. In the case of the latter, the leash may
fly out of the owner’s hand and the line could break or cause damage to the
other dog when the line is retracted. I especially hate these leashes in a
veterinary setting. On a regular basis an owner would be at the front desk,
while their dog wandered across the room, relieving itself on a plant or
harassing a poor cat stuck in a carrier.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speaking of control, the “brake” button is a great source of
false security. I often call it the “pause” button. Cheap ones have a hard time
engaging and must be held down manually, while more “deluxe” models have an
integrated lock which is a pain to engage. The brake gives a false sense of
security since it takes time to engage, and by that time your dog has covered a
lot of ground. The brake on the leash is just like the brake on your car – it’s
only helpful if engaged at the appropriate moment…which is tough from a
distance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of this being said, I remind myself: training tools can
be helpful when properly utilized. They aren't “bad” on their own. It just
appears that the wonders of retractable leash attract all the wrong people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-21050297128087323622015-01-25T21:32:00.002-08:002015-01-25T21:32:37.047-08:00Five Common Themes We See In "Misbehaving" DogsThis was a previous post, but still begs repeating!<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">At UC Davis’ Behavior Service, we see some common themes among our clients resulting in frustration. I thought it might be good to discuss some of the chief issues:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">My dog pulls! Undoubtedl</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">y this happens with many pets, but when we see that your pet is wearing a harness, we just smile and say “we can fix this”. Harnesses are made to teach dogs to pull – think of a sled dog. Use a gentle leader, via conditioning your pet to it first, and the problem for most pets is usually resolved.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">My dog doesn't respond to my commands! If I ask the owner to show me what they mean, then this often happens: “Juju sit. SIT. Sit, sit, sit! Come on now, I mean it!” Well, I’m sure that he knows you mean it, but he’s unsure if it’s from the first mention of the command or the fifteenth. Use the command ONCE and wait. Let your dog think. Reward him if he does obeys. If he refuses, tough luck, the cookie, toy or attention that was in the balance just walked away. He’ll get the clue that winning comes from listening.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">My dog digs, barks, and destroys the yard then I’m not at home! There are many causes for this type of behavior, but the first thing to rule out is easy – is your dog bored? If you were left in a sterile environment for 8 hours a day, wouldn't you get a little crazy? If pets aren't given activities, they will find their own source of amusement. Hide toys stuffed with treats for a treasure hunt. Frequently switch out toys so they aren't the same old, same old. Play or do training sessions with your dog for a period in the morning and evening – a tired dog is a less destructive dog.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">I don’t know why my Terrier tries to eat my hamster, my hound is hard to control off leash, my Schnauzer barks a lot and my Border Collie tries to herd me! Researching the characteristics of the dog breed you’re interested in before investing in ownership is a big help. While these characteristics aren't set in stone—some dogs will display them to a greater or lesser extent—knowing what you’re getting into can help inform you of the type of training you may need to provide to curb the behaviors that might drive you nuts later.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; line-height: 18px;">My dog growls at people and it makes me mad! This may seem counter intuitive to some, but: don’t punish your dog for growling. Why? Because, as I've often heard Dr. Stelow say, “thank your dog for the warning and remove them from the situation.” A growl is a warning and, if you punish your pet, she may skip the growling and go straight to biting instead. Growling dogs often do so out of fear; don’t punish them since it simply cements the fear they feel. If you were afraid of spiders and I told you to hold one and just get over it – would that change your feelings? Examine the problem to learn what triggered it. Once the trigger is discovered you can desensitize and counter condition your pet. Scared pets can be made more confident and comfortable, and allow you to make a negative into something positive.</span></li>
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The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-59639003891941364352015-01-11T12:22:00.001-08:002015-01-11T12:22:51.324-08:00Little Dogs, Big Problems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVXhTmgWuFGxxtobLD9I3b5Z6LeaZ4w__DNffYYdFGkQ3O3kjO1ocUTe7Ra9qBQXYywmji1GFJ_Xddb37FcQf8Lbb0GXYpWpRoB9pJ9Z2vipbt6YoY_CaLrmnzW_Dr1jpx8h39R-YI4LH/s1600/biting+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVXhTmgWuFGxxtobLD9I3b5Z6LeaZ4w__DNffYYdFGkQ3O3kjO1ocUTe7Ra9qBQXYywmji1GFJ_Xddb37FcQf8Lbb0GXYpWpRoB9pJ9Z2vipbt6YoY_CaLrmnzW_Dr1jpx8h39R-YI4LH/s1600/biting+dog.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I worked in a small animal hospital, mad little dogs were
likened to Piranha. Interestingly, small dog breeds are under-represented in
the statistics for biting. It's a blessing the damage they cause is typically
limited, but that’s not for lack of trying. Why are these micro dogs so intent
on chomping? It’s because owners don’t listen to their pets’ pleas for respect.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a tiny dog, people disregard your boundaries. I recently
saw a Chihuahua who bit everyone in the household. Why you might ask? Because
no one paid attention when he barked or growled. He fell victim to kisses when he wasn't in
the mood, carrying him when he'd rather of walk, and coddling when he was more
than capable of going it on his own. Personally I’d find it frustrating too!
Eventually he found the solution: I’ll bite and you’ll leave me alone – Hurray!
It worked flawlessly, so biting became a daily default occurrence for all
things he didn't like. Needless to say,
the owners became VERY concerned that the pet had turned into a meandering
chainsaw and decided to seek help. Our first conversation was a lengthy
explanation of how dogs are allowed to have a choice. The only time you HAVE TO
pick your dog up is when there's a distinct danger to having the pet on the
floor. Otherwise, the dog should have a choice to be picked up or not. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Affection isn't something all dogs want. It’s like being a
kid, victimized by big sloppy smooches from distant Aunt Mable during a family
reunion. You’re expected to let it happen out of civility, but inside you’re
retching with aversion. Even if many dogs don’t dig this interaction, we still
kiss our pet on the head, pet them whenever we want or hug them. All these
actions are intimidating in dog terms, though humans are clueless to
stiffening, the look away or lip licking while they’re receiving ”lovin’s”.
Little dogs fall victim of this more often since strangers can’t be convinced
not touch them. To this, I offer them my sympathies. Owners of large breeds
often have people cross the street to avoid them. Conversely, small dogs have a
gravitational pull which sucks in kids and adults alike. Even when warned,
strangers (often self-proclaimed “dog people”) persist in attempts at
approaching and then are strangely offended when they feel teeth on their
appendages. How many of you would feel great about someone on the street
walking over and suddenly kissing you on the cheek? I mean, really!<o:p></o:p></div>
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How do we avoid making small dogs big problems? The ideal
would be to treat them like a 200 pound dog. Let them explore the world on
their own four legs. You should keep in mind that a small dog isn't too
dissimilar to a prey item with other animals, but as much as possible – keep
them on the ground. Listen to them. Watch body language! At the very least, if
your dog growls, he’s telling you he's uncomfortable. Don’t get mad - STOP!
Analyze the situation to determine why the growling occurred and find a way to
make it positive for both of you. Want to pick your pet up? Always let them
know your intention (Let’s go up!) and if they stiffen, struggle or walk away
–STOP. Offer treats or toys at the same time you pick your pet up. The positive
emotional response will create a dog who LOVES to be moved about. Lastly, be
your pet’s guardian. If a stranger wants to pet your dog, and either of you are
concerned, offer for them to toss a treat instead! It’s a much better option
and will create a favorable response to people approaching in general. Now, if
my family only thought of doing that during visits with Aunt Mable…<o:p></o:p></div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-27049624580719342442014-12-26T18:50:00.001-08:002014-12-26T18:50:09.533-08:00The "Magic" of Negative Punishment<div class="aboveUnitContent" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
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<div class="_wk" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span class="userContent">I know we talk about Positive Reinforcement all the time, but that doesn't mean that we don't use a form of punishment. Negative Punishment is the Yin to the others Yang.<br /><br />Positive Reinforcement increases <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">the chances of a behavior happening again by adding something good or fun - a treat, toy, a chance to run outside, a walk in the park, or play time with other dogs.<br /><br />When we want a behavior to go away, we want a technique that won't cause fear or intimidation - hence Negative Punishment. It takes no force to use, and can be accomplished by any family member - young or old. The method is simple: Don't touch, talk or speak to the pet when its being naughty. By avoiding acknowledgement, you'll giving a quiet yet obvious message: I don't like this so I'm shutting down.<br /><br />This technique in action: Your dog plops his saliva slicked tennis ball in your lap. You respond by standing up and letting the ball jettison onto the floor (no touch), while keeping your eyes on the TV program you were watching (no talk) and munching on your popcorn (no speak). Your pet may respond by dropping the ball in your lap a few more times, then gives up for lack of success. Once he's sitting or lying down (action you like) grab the ball and toss it for him ( positive reinforcement). He's make the link of action and reaction for each situation.<br /><br />Using these techniques you can successfully teach your dog good habits and eliminating bad ones in a what that will reinforce trust.</span></span></div>
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<a ajaxify="/ucdavisbehaviorservice/photos/a.389984605853.170004.100752325853/10152563629240854/?type=1&relevant_count=1&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-xfa1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F10410730_10152563629240854_8182183552880117375_n.jpg%3Foh%3D12ef8c3a836ec560d67495390e4a3853%26oe%3D55304117%26__gda__%3D1429612282_15bd6d268acf81157c4beaed47ef358a&size=257%2C196&fbid=10152563629240854&source=9&player_origin=pages" class="photo photoWidth1 _4dsy" data-ft="{"tn":"E"}" data-gt="{"fbid":"10152563629240854"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/ucdavisbehaviorservice/photos/a.389984605853.170004.100752325853/10152563629240854/?type=1&relevant_count=1" rel="theater" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; margin: 0px -9px;"></a><br />
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<div class="uiScaledImageContainer scaledImage" style="height: 196px; margin: 0px auto; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 257px;">
<img alt="Photo: The magic of Negative Punishment
I know we talk about Positive Reinforcement all the time, but that doesn't mean that we don't use a form of punishment. Negative Punishment is the Yin to the others Yang.
Positive Reinforcement increases the chances of a behavior happening again by adding something good or fun - a treat, toy, a chance to run outside, a walk in the park, or play time with other dogs.
When we want a behavior to go away, we want a technique that won't cause fear or intimidation - hence Negative Punishment. It takes no force to use, and can be accomplished by any family member - young or old. The method is simple: Don't touch, talk or speak to the pet when its being naughty. By avoiding acknowledgement, you'll giving a quiet yet obvious message: I don't like this so I'm shutting down.
This technique in action: Your dog plops his saliva slicked tennis ball in your lap. You respond by standing up and letting the ball jettison onto the floor (no touch), while keeping your eyes on the TV program you were watching (no talk) and munching on your popcorn (no speak). Your pet may respond by dropping the ball in your lap a few more times, then gives up for lack of success. Once he's sitting or lying down (action you like) grab the ball and toss it for him ( positive reinforcement). He's make the link of action and reaction for each situation.
Using these techniques you can successfully teach your dog good habits and eliminating bad ones in a what that will reinforce trust." class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="196" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10410730_10152563629240854_8182183552880117375_n.jpg?oh=12ef8c3a836ec560d67495390e4a3853&oe=55304117&__gda__=1429612282_15bd6d268acf81157c4beaed47ef358a" style="border: 0px; height: auto; min-height: 100%; position: relative; width: 257px;" width="257" /></div>
</div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-15383771391332743162014-12-16T19:14:00.000-08:002014-12-16T19:14:42.968-08:00Nobody's Perfect<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwbc2TXc2SQBdRPtE6rL0JLfIAx29vHd2uicMUNtWsD9hyphenhyphenB6dJcaXZJWu_MMiet8hekuFmOMADF6oiW4ZtuELn2i6ln9ECwJyS-z4zN-N9JkL-8wJfErk_7qBD88MHXANwjArPBJt9-GW/s1600/beagles-are-trouble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwbc2TXc2SQBdRPtE6rL0JLfIAx29vHd2uicMUNtWsD9hyphenhyphenB6dJcaXZJWu_MMiet8hekuFmOMADF6oiW4ZtuELn2i6ln9ECwJyS-z4zN-N9JkL-8wJfErk_7qBD88MHXANwjArPBJt9-GW/s1600/beagles-are-trouble.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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I’d like to dispel any skewed visions of how *awesomely
behaved* my pets are since I work for the Behavior Service. When I sit down in
the exam room with a client to discuss behavior modification, I often share my
personal training challenges I’ve experienced with my own pets. It gives them
perspective; after all, we aren’t training gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nay, we‘re mere mortals with pets who can
create mayhem and foolishness in our lives too. This often eases tension,
because there’s less fear of judgment from the situation they’re facing.</div>
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I’ve yet to meet a trainer or Behaviorist who can (truthfully)
proclaim that their pet is “perfect” in every way. That type of animal is as
rare as a fabled unicorn. Though I adore my pets, they all have their own
quirks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I own a Beagle (insinkerator)
who’s so devoted to all things “food” that he’s managed to get into
child-locked trash cans and unscrewed the lid on his bear-container-like food receptacle
(he looked like a hippo after the feeding frenzy). I kid you not, if he had an
opposable thumb, I’d be hosed. He’d be building a drone to assist him in food acquisition
from elevated surfaces, much to my dismay. </div>
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After a long day, I occasionally feel my dogs are like the
cobblers children who run around shoeless; they can be rude little beasts begging
at the table, but hey, that indulgence isn’t going to kill anyone, so why not?
We’re not immune from feeling tired and, frankly, lazy. The good thing is that
we have the knowledge and skills to tweak things to set it all right again…when
compelled.</div>
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The reason our advice works so well is because we don’t live
our client’s lives. We aren’t suffering from the frustration, fear and anger
that the owners are faced with each day. With our perspective, we’re emotionally
removed and able to lend an objective eye to resolve the conflict. We can’t be
totally devoid of emotion though. The fact that we’ve been down similar paths
with our own pets provides a font of empathy, so we understand the emotions
that put up road blocks to progress. Many times it’s not just the pet’s behavior
causing a disconnect; it’s also the owner’s feelings of shame, failure or judgment
that keeps people from seeking appropriate help in the first place. </div>
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We’re real people who love and understand animals, but we’re
not immune from having pets that make poor choices. The next time your dog does
something that drives you crazy, please think of me walking into the house to
find pickle juice, coffee grounds and the dregs of several days of who-knows-what
all over my carpet with a Beagle happily wagging his tail in greeting. Oh, and
don’t forget the part where I walk out the front door again, counting to ten to
avoid a barrage of NC-17 language that’s dying to roll off my tongue.</div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-55659190546164720762014-12-11T20:12:00.002-08:002014-12-11T20:15:39.008-08:00Dissecting Disobedience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dndmUUzuyqy6UPiK66tLtAtuQ_5NkNA4OyEggcqImUD92dNIu0T084TgcvIvPJCOOFiVGJjKCCbnfZ89UF7Q0qGybIECSJMZWAT1N-ipYtXv8CVD8yHiJ5EN9d4nabv9fA12coI-9pX-/s1600/51UgCRv7hkL._SX450_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dndmUUzuyqy6UPiK66tLtAtuQ_5NkNA4OyEggcqImUD92dNIu0T084TgcvIvPJCOOFiVGJjKCCbnfZ89UF7Q0qGybIECSJMZWAT1N-ipYtXv8CVD8yHiJ5EN9d4nabv9fA12coI-9pX-/s1600/51UgCRv7hkL._SX450_.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I bring up dog ownership, do you think of Lassie
trotting obediently next to his boy Timmy? Many envision dogs as heroic,
selfless and loyal canine companions who stick by your side, hanging on your
every word for the opportunity to serve. In reality, dogs can be all of those
things, but they also can be fearful, aggressive, and taxing. Dogs aren't
robots. They have thoughts and feelings that may not be congruent with our own,
and are often seen as unimportant because we’re “in charge”. If a dog doesn't
plop himself on the floor within seconds of being asked to “down”, it’s
commonly misconstrued as insubordination at the very least. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This brings me to a question posed by a student yesterday: “So,
if you only train with positive reinforcement, what do you do when your dog won’t
do what you ask?” It’s an honest question, and one often posed by those who use
punishment in order to ensure their dog knows blowing them off has consequences.
Before you reach for your choke chain, consider an even better question: “Why
wouldn't your dog do what you ask?” The reasons can be many:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Medical: He has arthritis in his hips and
sitting is uncomfortable or even painful</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Distraction: he just learned how to sit while in
the house, but now you expect him to do it outside with tons of distractions…and
he’s not up to it yet.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Confusion: He doesn't understand what you’re
asking for since normally you use a hand signal for sit, and today you’re using
a verbal command, which he never connected to the action.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Fear: Another dog’s walking down the street and
he’s too anxious to be able to follow instructions.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Arousal: Just like with fear, if your dog sees
their FAVORITE person coming down the street, he may be too excited to follow
directions.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">He’s just not feeling it: Yes, this does happen –
but isn't as typical as you think.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, to answer the question: If my dog doesn't obey, I may: ignore him –so as to not reward blowing me off,
realize he’s over his threshold and get him out of the situation, offer a
better resource for following the command, try again in a less distracting
circumstance, determine if he seems painful, or work on training drills so that
I know he understands what I’m asking of him. Don’t just assume he’s being a
twit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seeing disobedience as an opportunity rather than an insult
will only enhance your relationship and offer better results in the future.
Using positive methods prevents you from making knee-jerk reactions which can
harm your relationship, create more problems in the future. </div>
<o:p></o:p>The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-81979450801101940452014-12-03T21:41:00.001-08:002014-12-03T21:42:28.914-08:00For the Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBi8VkpHMgfplf11aIu4ZimYycD-Tw5QkIfJnPKfnoMZMHeDqbkn6oWYTAWqvJiu1C5-R0WirFpDEOBae7EJsVAtizvO81l4VYAz0lKfFb0NkzxLrTBI3iFDjAuJNxLBuW93fluR6wvr-/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBi8VkpHMgfplf11aIu4ZimYycD-Tw5QkIfJnPKfnoMZMHeDqbkn6oWYTAWqvJiu1C5-R0WirFpDEOBae7EJsVAtizvO81l4VYAz0lKfFb0NkzxLrTBI3iFDjAuJNxLBuW93fluR6wvr-/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, our own Dr. Liz Stelow DACVB offered a talk on avian behavior
for the UC Davis Behavior Club, which I felt deserved recapping. The talk
mainly focused on Parrots, since they are the most frequent fliers of our
Service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many popular birds we keep as pets (more pointedly Macaws,
Conures and Cockatoos) are NOT domesticated animals. A domesticated animal is<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> member of
those species that have, through generations of selective breeding, become
notably different from their wild ancestors to benefit humans.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most large parrots are either wild caught (illegally) or only
a generation or so from being wild. Many owners prefer to get their birds as
babies, in order to establish a firmer bond. The problem with this practice is
that they would normally spend a couple years with their parents learning
natural behaviors and methods for coping with stress. In a human home, they don’t
receive this sort of training.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many people don’t understand these beautiful birds’ needs. They’re
social animals that call to each other loudly in the morning and evening. They
spend their days searching and obtaining food, flying, and preening. They are
typically tropical and need their beauty sleep – at least 12 hours of darkness
and rest. In a human environment, we’re not too hot on the vocalizing. We also
forget their needs for beauty sleep and place their cages in the middle of high
traffic rooms that have *maybe* 8 hours of peace and quiet during the night.
Food is offered in bowls, so work isn’t required. Birds are caged and their
wings are clipped to prevent destruction of the environment. They don’t have a
flock, so many face a life of close bonds with maybe one or more people…and no
mating possibilities. Since parrot species are long lived, owners must consider
the future of their pet if it ends up outlasting them or the novelty wears off.
Lastly, many owners accidentally feed
too many seeds and not enough good greens, fruits and grains such birds would
find in the wild, in addition to a quality pelleted diet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Human interaction can also be a problem. If an owner spends
their time sharing food, petting and showering with their bird – their pet is
going to get the wrong idea. These birds can become aggressive to other
household members since they are seen as a rival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Training as important with birds as it is with a dog. These
are very intelligent animals that need to have their brains challenged on a
regular basis. Training is a great brain exercise and often builds bonds with
birds, but so many fail to realize its importance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the ideal lifestyle for a captive bird? </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Expect vocalization. It can be minimized by not
rewarding it with attention. Using <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/training_nothing_in_life_is_free.html" target="_blank">Nothing in Life is Free</a> works with dogs and
birds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Offering companionship with other birds is
ideal, but this can turn into an arranged marriage that doesn't pan out.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Offer new toys – GRADUALLY. Most birds are
fearful of new things, so introduction of the new item may have to start from
across the room, and then get closer over weeks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Variable climbing surfaces, toys, perches and
an ability to have a flight area is enriching.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Make eating an activity by using food puzzle, foraging
surfaces and so on. Start off simple since some birds have never had to work
for their food!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s
ideal dietary needs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Have training time each day. Get creative and
your bird will blossom.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Typically, don’t pet your bird below the shoulders
since it can be otherwise be misinterpreted as a marriage proposal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Have a
quiet, dark area to provide your pet with 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep your home a comfortable temperature
appropriate for your avian companion.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need a good resource for how to make a better life for your
bird? Check out <a href="http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0813800781.html" target="_blank">Behavior of Exotic Pets – edited by Valarie V. Tynes</a>. This book
is a good resource. Making an appointment with a veterinarian who specializes
in avian medicine can also be exceedingly helpful in ensuring you’re keeping
your pet happy and healthy. A good place to find such a person is the <a href="http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803" target="_blank">Association of Avian Veterinarians.</a>. If your looking for fun training ideas for your bird, check out <a href="http://store.clickertraining.com/clicker-training-for-birds-melinda-johnson.html?source=featuredproducts" target="_blank">Melinda Johnson's Clicker Training for Birds</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-15157697481794720792014-11-26T10:33:00.002-08:002014-11-26T10:34:27.964-08:00There's No "I" in Team<div class="MsoNormal">
Dogs are amazing creatures which bring so much to our lives.
The problem is their natural desire to give isn't always reciprocated. Though
they meld well into so many situations and perform a myriad of functions that
benefit us, we have to remember that they have needs as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A dog shouldn't be a status symbol. If you buy a Bulldog because of
their “cool” factor, be prepared to have additional sums for its health care
needs. Veterinarians don’t have patience for those who buy a designer puppy for
$2000 and then lose their head over the cost of vaccinations, fecal testing,
deworming, flea and heartworm preventatives and so on. Additionally, if you buy
a German Shepherd (from Germany), who has “unbelievable working lines” – don’t
use it as lawn art! Your dog’s a thinking, breathing, emotional being that
needs the ability to have training, affection, play, and an outlet for its
breed-specific needs. It’s not there to decorate your backyard like a toy you
can put on a shelf when you’re bored.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygGADUiRegKDTtRm0CWD9sjpkulufXtHwbP2PH4z5Bu8i6KMu5ceRKGdSyxTVFuA83s5Nw2Q_3l89MRYg9w8qixBYV8vVkt9O-c_p-dxDuEhfgbDYOzxSYu8wPmhgZDfW_XVDikMLcLvL/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygGADUiRegKDTtRm0CWD9sjpkulufXtHwbP2PH4z5Bu8i6KMu5ceRKGdSyxTVFuA83s5Nw2Q_3l89MRYg9w8qixBYV8vVkt9O-c_p-dxDuEhfgbDYOzxSYu8wPmhgZDfW_XVDikMLcLvL/s1600/blog.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a>A dog shouldn't be a fashion accessory. Those who buy little dogs
as a constant companion in their carry bag have delegated that pet to being a
mere observer in the owner’s world. The dog has legs for a reason, so let the
little one explore, become more confident and get exercise. Some of these dogs
become fearful and anxious because they haven’t had the opportunity for independent
exploration. Imagine if you were sequestered to a wheelchair, but you were
perfectly capable of walking! It doesn’t stop there though. Some dogs live as a
dress up dolls, without consideration of whether the activity makes the dog
happy or at least comfortable. If your dog requires its own closet to house
doggy couture, and you don’t have a Chinese Crested or weather requiring additional warmth, you may have a problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lastly, your dog is shouldn't be an extension of yourself. This is a
tough one. If your dog goes over to a friend and mounts their leg with great
verve, I know it’s hard not to be totally embarrassed into 90 shades of
crimson. Apologize to the person and divert your dog, but don’t punish him.
Punishing your dog due to your discomfort may seem natural, but often reinforces
the situation, or worse, pushes the pet into becoming defensively aggressive.
As humans, we have a knee jerk response when confronted with situations that
might imply we’re not good leaders. Here’s a scenario: while standing in a
checkout line your kid points to the person next to you saying “She’s got a
HUGE nose!” Your reaction is to scold your kid because he made you look like a
terrible parent who teaches their child proboscis shaming! No. It’s a child; they’ll
learn people come in all shapes and sizes, but can’t be expected to have an
advanced adult social filter at such a young age (and the lady really did have
a big honker). With dogs, they do what comes naturally as well. We need to
listen to them to determine why they’re reacting, and then divert their
attention to something that they CAN do instead. Disobedience is one area where
dogs are judged harshly. Reactive dogs are often punished by their owners out
of exasperation spurred on by public pressure (real or imagined) that decides
they haven’t done enough to curb that dog’s behavior. Dogs are not automatons that
are capable of turning off their own perceptions, fears, and concerns just
because the display would be “inconvenient” for the company at large. Be a
protector—remove your dog from the situation.</div>
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Dogs are a wonderful species, whose presence in our lives
rewards us by enriching our own. We need to remember they are whole and separate
from ourselves, and give them our time and understanding so they can have the
opportunities to fully explore their true natures. <o:p></o:p>Ownership is a dance and if you don't pay attention to your partner, all you'll find is that someone's got sore toes.</div>
The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-54591310760113717432014-11-19T10:08:00.000-08:002014-12-15T12:12:10.790-08:00Pick a Winner<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"> We are often asked to
give a referral for a “good dog trainer”. Selecting a trainer is as
important as choosing the proper person to be your kids’ nanny. We often
recommend trainers who are educated, perform regular continuin<span class="text_exposed_show">g
education, use reward-based training, will let you monitor a class to
see if you feel comfortable and have references. If you’re new in a
neighborhood, doing the research can be tough; thus websites often end
up being a starting point to pare things down. I thought it might be
helpful to point out some key phrases which might indicate steering
clear is the best option.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Pack Leader/Pack Theory: This phrase
alone may indicate that the trainer is ascribed to dominance-based
training which does not promote a good relationship with your pet.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Balanced Training: This means using “good” and “bad” to achieve
balanced training. Good would be positive reinforcement. The bad is most
likely positive punishment with choke chains, prong collars or
electronic collars. Combining good with bad will, at best, give you
something neutral. I would prefer a good experience personally.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Done without harsh punishment: This means there will be punishment, but
not HARSH punishment. Yes, they could mean negative punishment (walking
away or turning your dog jumps on you), but I doubt it. Harsh is
subjective, so I would pass on this one.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Fast results guaranteed:
If you have ever touched a hot burner or have been shocked by a short in
an electrical cord – you know you only do it once. Fear is a powerful
motivator – but it does not make for a trusting relationship between you
and your pet.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> No bribery: This essentially means they don’t use
treats to train “commands”. The thought process is that the pet must do
what’s asked out of respect for you – or out of respect for the pain
that you can inflict if he doesn’t follow instruction.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Obedience
to fix problem behaviors: Behaviors problems are not always an obedience
issue. If that were the case, your dog would be doing things just to
make you mad – which isn’t in their mind set. For instance: If your dog
is barking, it may be because he’s scared of the kid who throws rocks at
him over the fence. Expecting your dog to shut up because you say no
won’t make him less frightened.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Specializing in Board and Train:
There can be trainers who offer board and train in a responsible
positive manner. The concern is that you have no idea how your pet is
being trained in your absence.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> The use of e-collars, stim collars
or remote training collars: These are all euphemisms for electric
collars and should not be used in training.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Other helpful sources:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">American College of Veterinary Behaviorists <a href="http://www.dacvb.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-select-a-trainer-A-guide-for-owners.pdf" target="_blank">How to Select a Trainer</a><br /> American Veterinary Society of Behavior’s <a href="http://avsabonline.org/resources/position-statements" target="_blank">How to select a Trainer handout</a><br /> <a href="https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer" target="_blank">Trainers through the Karen Pryor Academy</a><a href="https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"></a><br /> <a href="http://www.ccpdt.org/" target="_blank">Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers</a></span></span></span>The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-30596212208973181072014-11-17T10:04:00.000-08:002014-11-17T11:24:33.908-08:00The Galloping Gourmet<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">D<span class="userContent">ogs are
wonderful animals that bring so much value to our lives. We love to play
with them, pet them and snuggle – that is until we discover that Rover
has been busy eating stool in the backyard. Yup, you heard that <span class="text_exposed_show">right.
Eating poop is a gross doggy habit…I guess that’s one benefit of
strictly owning cats. For those who have a pet with this affliction,
your first question is probably “Oh my goodness. Why???!!!” Coprophagy, or
eating of stool, is suspected to be caused by:<br /> </span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Natural
behavior: Female dogs clean their puppies and their den by eating stool.
A large percentage of dogs that eat stool are females. The most common
breed with this problem is Beagles.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Underlying medical problems:
This can be seen in pets with malabsorption in the gut, starvation or
malnutrition (ensure your pet is getting a balanced good quality diet).</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">
A less discerning palate – they think it tastes good. Raiding the cat
litter box rates highly as a popular bistro bar since cat food is
higher in protein.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">If your pet is eating his own stool, or those from your other dog, there are many preventatives including:</span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Take your pet on walks and bag the stool as you go</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Do not yell at your pet when it consumes stool since this might accidentally reinforce the behavior</span></span></span> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Ensure you are providing a quality diet – talk to your vet for suggestions.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">
Unfortunately, <a href="http://prioritypethospital.com/2012/08/why-does-dog-eat-poop/" target="_blank">research has shown that no aversive additives work.</a> </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <br />
Out of all these preventatives, the most successful treatment is to
pick the stool up right after your pet goes to the bathroom. Get your
dog on a feeding schedule to help regulate stool production and make
pick-up times more predictable. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> If your dog is a frequent flier to
the cat litter box, consider making one bedroom or office the “cat
domain”. Use a child gate to cordon off the area – your cat can jump
over, but your dog is kept away from temptation.<br /> <br /> If your pet is
a scrounger on walks, keep him or her leashed and sequestered to paved
areas where animals are less likely to eliminate. The biggest concern
with coprophagy—other than rank dog breath—is the ingestion and
transmission of intestinal parasites. If your pet tends to ingest stool
be sure to have regular health exams and fecal testing to prevent
infestation.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u48wdZhn9jPlszrLrNsrh_6RuGWQ5lVZm_c_1rRYgfPxfGQzyHGhPBC3DBszyRZoXJ7kpHHYrtfyiLTo94EOnEhTiTXh-bzWnbg1MvFhYPrkeOPhecRNyUJ6eHqbF8hyphenhyphenMN6FMsVFnjlP/s1600/galloping+gourmet+picture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u48wdZhn9jPlszrLrNsrh_6RuGWQ5lVZm_c_1rRYgfPxfGQzyHGhPBC3DBszyRZoXJ7kpHHYrtfyiLTo94EOnEhTiTXh-bzWnbg1MvFhYPrkeOPhecRNyUJ6eHqbF8hyphenhyphenMN6FMsVFnjlP/s1600/galloping+gourmet+picture.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span>The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-54379089236901781402014-11-10T20:53:00.002-08:002014-11-10T20:53:15.431-08:00Don't Move My Cheese<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned everything I needed to know about food aggression from a dog/animal actor named Chester. Our relationship started on a commercial set, where I worked as a second-trainer on a Three-Day Blinds commercial with him. He was an adorable wrinkle-beast, so cuddly it was hard not to fall in with love him. He reflected a mild nature, regardless if you scrubbed him up in the tub, cleaned his ears or provided a pedicure. He had a gentle mouth when offered treats, tail wagging and eyes sparkling. Over all, I thought of him as a gentle soul…until the day I fed him and attempted to pick up his food bowl. Watching the Exorcist would probably give you a good idea of the shock and awe on my face when I saw “that look” come across his face seconds before his teeth flashed near my hand! I jumped back – uninjured but deeply stunned.</div>
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This isn't an uncommon situation. Many people have perfectly lovely dogs - just so long there isn't a bowl or high-valued chewie sitting out. Food aggression is interesting in how owners react to the possessiveness. Let’s put this in perspective: I have a plate of chocolate chip cookie and I’m chowing down on them. I've been looking forward to this moment of bliss ALL DAY and now it’s coming to fruition. Suddenly, someone comes by and sticks their thumb in the middle of the cookie I’m eating. Then, as an indication of ultimate skeeziness, swipes the entire plate away while all the while telling me how BAD I am for getting upset. This is the travesty of being a dog. Misinformed people have perpetuated the idea of taking away food from puppies while they’re eating and scolding them for getting mad. Even worse: others put their hands in the bowl to ensure it’s understood who the Alpha is! In fact, you’re just being rude. You’re the provider of food and the one with the opposable thumb, so you really don’t need to put on such a needless show of power.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Food aggression is caused by the fear of losing a resource.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By taking that item away from the animal, you’re reinforcing that perception that their fear is valid. The only way to teach a dog that you’re not salivating over his bowl of kibble is to build trust. How can you do that? Become a provider rather than a thief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If your dog is aggressive about food or toy – make your presence seem like a party. You want him to look forward to your presence while he’s eating rather than dread it.</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Start by getting close enough so your pet can see you, but not so close that he stops eating, gives you the hairy eye-ball, growls or snarls.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Once you've established the “safe spot”, toss something truly special and delicious right near his bowl (like a piece of chicken or hotdog), then walk out of the room. You’re showing him “When I’m here, something awesome happens!”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">With treat tossing as your mission, get slowly closer to the bowl during each meal, following the previous parameters of ensuring your pet isn't getting upset with your existence.</span></li>
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Eventually, you’ll find that when you walk into the room your pet may STOP eating and look up at you with a totally different expression – one of happy expectation. If he leaves the food bowl, so be it, you want him to be happy that you've come by the ol’ doggy trough to visit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you want to take the bowl away, but Rover refuses? Do a trade: Have one person call him with a delicious morsel, while you whisk away the bowl. Note that throughout this scenario, there’s no yelling, intimidation or corrections. Fear is built on those principles. Trust, however, is grown through consistency, respect and understanding. If you do your job right, you’ll find that the training is much simpler than arranging an exorcism.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7jPbNumLNTfQgxuc1se0NJBgmgX1WImS-nA6fKonW_L7rC-QHWfKVsgU3C6vQvhWkassZV8AR9i7ObrhRr4mK65HTHuCEfuOpGno5DEqYO249-DurVy6MKEp-plU3o0XGvEb7PpojvZB/s1600/chester.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7jPbNumLNTfQgxuc1se0NJBgmgX1WImS-nA6fKonW_L7rC-QHWfKVsgU3C6vQvhWkassZV8AR9i7ObrhRr4mK65HTHuCEfuOpGno5DEqYO249-DurVy6MKEp-plU3o0XGvEb7PpojvZB/s1600/chester.JPG" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
<i> Chester courtesy of Ron Kimball Photography</i><br />
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The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775570275955725067.post-40592153187613061062014-11-05T19:46:00.001-08:002014-11-05T19:47:18.958-08:00Seeing Both Sides of the SituationOur exam rooms have been host to numerous animals and owners
seeking to find common ground and resolution to a myriad of complex problems.
The one thing that all of our appointments have in common is how the
appointment starts – with the student, staff or faculty member asking “how can
we help you today?” After that question is tossed out, we get perspective of
how the pet’s behavior has affected their owner. After that, we let our eyes,
ears, nose and hands help get the rest of the story from the pet. The solution
to the problem presented is often about opening lines of communication between
the two parties so healing can begin.<br />
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As humans, we take in information around us, and then sort
it into what’s important and what isn't. Next we add emotions to the situation,
with a dash of our own history into the interpretation. The end result is what
we understand as true. The problem is we’re using our perspective to write the
narrative of a creature that doesn't think like we do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Case in point: You come home to find that your cat peed on
your comforter. You know it’s your cat, because it’s the only pet with access
to the room. You know it’s less likely to be your husband because, well, he
knows that being housebroken was a non-negotiable item on your e-Harmony form. You
start pondering about what would compel your cat to do such a thing. Your bed
doesn't appear to be a sandy litter-box. This has never been an issue before. The
cat knows it’s your bed, since she sometimes sleeps with you under the covers
on cold nights. She didn't pee on her OWN bed, so this must have been personal.
Why would she be mad? Well you were out for a fun weekend in Tahoe, and she was
left alone with the automatic cat feeder as her only form of company for a day
and a half. Your cat is a pouty vindictive wet towel who detests the idea that
you’re out hanging with friends rather than sitting in front of the boob tube,
petting <i>her</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This all sounds logical to a human (though I doubt many of
you have room mates who feel put off by not being invited to a party and handle
the slight by relieving their bladder on your stuff). On our end, we see an
older, pudgy cat with a mild limp. There’s only one litter-box in the home and
it’s downstairs. When no one’s around, said cat enjoys lying on the bed,
bathing in the sunshine provided by a nearby window. When people are home, she’s
all about being on her owner’s lap for a pet…though that’s been happening less
for some reason. What we wonder is if the cat is arthritic, and if pain from
jumping up and down might have something to do with the situation. If she was
uncomfortable and lying on the bed and couldn't bounce down off the bed, down
the steps and across the home to the litter-box, accidents happen. Cats aren't
vindictive. They don’t keep hash-marks on the side of their scratching post, tracking
perceived slights until the decision to steal your breath while you’re sleeping
seems an attractive prospect on the ol’ bucket list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We would want to perform an exam on the cat, x-rays if
indicated, and possibly a blood and urine sample to rule out internal organ
function problems. If everything looked normal, then we would discuss recent
changes in the household such as a different kitty litter, pan, litter-box
location, other pets, stressful events or local outdoor visitors like feral
cats. Felines are sensitive souls, but most of them really WANT to use a clean,
well-placed lavatory. Once you get the pets perspective, answers come more
easily and harmony in the household can be re-established. Some cases aren't as
easy as this, but it’s a good example of how a single offensive act doesn't
necessarily indicate a declaration of war – rather a cry for help. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Behavior Servicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957347865764401026noreply@blogger.com0