Waiting for a Forever Home

Transcription

1 Improving Adoptability with Behavior Modification Jill Goldman Ph.D. CAAB Carleton s Place Animal Behavior Waiting for a Forever Home! Shelter?! Foster?! Euthanasia? October 21-23,

2 The single biggest killer of pets is not infectious disease, it is behavioral problems. Karen Overall, VMD, Ph.D. (1996) October 21-23,

3 Behavior Problems! Prevent: " What does the animal need to nurture appropriate behavior?! Treat: " Non-Confrontational vs Punitive? " Reward Based vs Fear Based?! Manage: " If you can t fix it can you manage it safely (e.g. avoiding triggers)? October 21-23,

4 Preventing Behavioral Problems " Early exposure to men, women, children, animals, and other environmental stimuli. " Sustained aerobic physical exercise: Highenergy dogs on a regular exercise program are more likely to be calm and better behaved. " Plenty of behavioral enrichment and mental stimulation. " Avoid painful walking and training equipment (e.g. choke chains). " Seek professional help at the onset of a behavioral issue, not the 11 th hour. Behavior Problems Associated with Inadequate Socialization Fearful or aggressive to unfamiliar people Inappropriate social behavior Fearful or aggressive reaction to harmless or inanimate stimuli Unable to generalize attachments to others Inhibited or hyperactive in new situations Reluctant to approach unfamiliar people, if forced, may be aggressive October 21-23,

5 Puppy Vaccination and Socialization Should Go Together Robert K. Anderson, DVM! The risk of a dog dying because of infection with distemper or parvo disease is far less than the much higher risk of a dog dying (euthanasia) because of a behavior problem.! Maximize exposure to novelty including different: people, animals, environmental stimuli, substrates October 21-23,

6 Early Handling Husbandry Training All youngsters should be taught to: accept handling and restraint direct play biting to toys enjoy having people involved in eating, chewing, and playing with toys. Dr. Ian Dunbar s Sirius Puppy Training video is an excellent guide for dealing with puppies. October 21-23,

7 ! Physical exercise! Housing " Multi-animal " Bedding! Mental stimulation! Foraging activities " Food filled toys " Puzzle toys " Digging pit! Human contact! Stress reduction Feline Enrichment! Views to window (bird feeders)! Television & videos & fish tanks! Play toys: ping pong & tin foil balls, furry mice)! Interactive play sessions: cat dancers! Feline friends! Scratching targets! Food filled toys (Kitty Kongs, timed feeders)! Stress Reduction October 21-23,

8 D.A.P.! Dog Appeasing Pheromone (D.A.P.) is a synthesized analog of the pheromone released by a post-partum bitch believed to promote calmness in the puppies. " Diffuser " Collar " Spray Feliway Feliway, a synthesized feline pheromone. May reduce spraying and anxiety. Diffuser Spray October 21-23,

9 Treatment Protocols DSCC: Desensitization and Counter Conditioning 1. Identify hierarchy of feared stimuli 2. Identify intensity level of stimulus at which dog can stay relaxed 3. Present stimulus (CS), present reinforcement (UR)- in that order! 4. Progress through hierarchy conservatively Separation Anxiety Dogs are often returned to shelters for separation anxiety. They are especially prone, possibly due to the trauma of abandonment.! Owner Absent SA or Boredom? " Barking " Soiling " Destruction October 21-23,

10 Foraging activities are a form of enrichment that can also help reduce Separation Anxiety and Boredom. October 21-23,

11 Barrier Frustration Some dogs do not get adopted because they simply don t show well in the kennel. Others get returned because they become scary. October 21-23,

12 October 21-23,

13 size? location? Multi-cat households? Substrate? Cleanliness? Provide the cat with various box and litter choices to ascertain substrate preference. October 21-23,

14 Handling Aggression before Slow, gradual DSCC sessions with food or play as reward. Touch + Food = counter conditioning Cats that dislike handling October 21-23,

15 Equipment Recommended! Head Harness " Premier " Halti! No-Pull Harnesses " Easy Walk " Front attached! Basket Muzzle! Motivation: " Food " Toys Not Recommended! Choke collars! Pinch collars! Shock collars! Nylon Muzzle! Fear of Punishment Confrontational Punishment Aversive punishment (Positive punishment) can suppress the unwanted behavior temporarily. Its effect is limited and potentially damaging and dangerous, as it increases fear in the animal and associated with the escalation of aggression. October 21-23,