BEHAVIOR

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2: BEHAVIOR

Assignment 1: Study of Animal Behavior

Naturalist: Nature scientists

Classical Ethology & the Role of Instinct

British scientist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) studied at Cambridge in 1831 and sailed around the world studying biology on the HMS Beagle.

Ethology: the study of animal behavior

1859: Origins of the Species published; introduced the theory of evolution.

Evolution: natural process of slow change and development that gradually leads to new species and animals over a very long period of time

Species: the classification given to a group of animals who can produce young

Instinct: a combination of unlearned responses characteristic of a species

Natural Selection: The process that awards survival & reproductive success to individuals & groups best adjusted to their environment.

Classical Ethology: asserts that much of what animals know is instinctive.

Animal Psychology & the Role of Learning

Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)

Involuntary or unconditioned Response: a simple reflex behavior

Unconditioned Stimuli: things that produce an unconditioned response

Conditioned Stimuli: unrelated stimuli

Behaviorism: asserts that animal behavior is learned

American doctor John B. Watson lead animal psychology based on objective lab procedures

Stimulus- Response Theory: all complex forms of behavior including emotions, thoughts, & habits are complex muscular & glandular responses that can be observed or measured

Emotion is learned

Behaviorists believed that animal behavior originated entirely through conditioning.

Classical Conditioning: association of stimuli that occurs at approximately the same time or in the same area

Operant Conditioning: associating a certain activity with punishment or reward.

Operant Conditioning is best known through the experiments of B.F. Skinner (1904-1990); a rat pressing bar for food

Trial/error learning (instrumental learning): typified by operant conditioning, combined with classical conditioning into complex chains of behavior

Assignment #1: Reflect and Respond: Animal Psychology & the Role of Learning

How might you incorporate that information as a vet tech, especially when it comes to training?

You can train patients to stand still or behave using classical conditioning by using treats.

SOCIOBIOLOGY

Contemporary ethologists agree that animal behavior is shaped by both learning and instinct.

Sociobiology: the study of biological basis of social behavior

Theory: complex social patterns arise, develop, & sometimes disappear based on survival value

1973: Niko Tinbergen, Karl von Frisch, & Konrad Lorenz shared Nobel Prize for work in sociobiology.

The Role of Genetics

Fixed Action Patterns: stereotypical or predictable behaviors; assume patterns to be the same among all members of the same species

Instinct: an animal’s natural and inherent ability to perform such tasks are hunting, feeding, and mating.

Reflect and Respond: Sociobiology

Can you think of any animals that have adapted in order to survive?

The animals that are able to camouflage themselves.

Terminology

Positive reinforcement: any immediate pleasant occurrence that follows a desired behavior. To be effective the treat must occur within 20 seconds of the behavior.

Negative reinforcement: any immediate occurrence used to create a desired behavior.

Punishment: an unpleasant occurrence used to eliminate an undesired behavior.

Positive Punishment: adding an unpleasant occurrence at the time of a behavior to stop the behavior.

Negative Punishment: removing the desired end results to stop behavior

- Most difficult method of behavior modification

- Can create other undesired behavior; to be effective must occur every time the behavior occurs, be applied immediately, be of the appropriate intensity, and not be associated with the owner.

Imprinting

A rapid learning process that enables the very young to recognize & bond with their caretaker

Sensitive Period: the period of time when imprinting takes place

The sensitive period in dogs and cats occurs from the 2nd/3rd to the 12th week after birth

Socialization: adapting period within the sensitive period

Young animals learn where they fit in a larger group by play, grooming, and feeding

Assignment #1: Self-Check

Classical ethologists proposed that most animal behavior was instinctive.

B.F. Skinner is considered the foremost expert on the mechanism of operant conditioning.

The survival value of certain types of behavior is often referred to as its function.

How did Darwin influence the study of behavior?

Darwin studied a variety of fossils and living creatures. Through his observations, he determined that animals behaved instinctually and that these unlearned responses had been developed and refined by natural selection. His famous theories revolutionized much of the study related to biology and ethology.

Summarize the origins of behaviorism.

Behaviorism originated with John B. Watson, who proposed an approach to psychology based on objective laboratory procedures. His experiments led him to formulate a stimulus-response theory of psychology. Behaviorists theorized that animals are born as essentially blank slates upon which chance and experience write their lessons. Animal behavior, they asserted, originated almost entirely through conditioning.

Describe B.F. Skinner’s experiments concerning operant conditioning.

B. F. Skinner taught a rat to press a bar for food. First, he rewarded the rat simply for facing the correct end of the cage. In the second stage, he rewarded the rat only when it stood next to the bar. Subsequent stages successively delayed the reward until the rat touched the bar with its body. Such conditioning used specific environmental responses to shape the rat’s behavior to a specific task.

Describe Pavlov’s famous experiment in classical conditioning.

Pavlov discovered that dogs automatically began to salivate at the sight of food. If he always rang a bell when he offered food, the dogs began to associate this unrelated stimulus with food. In time, the sound of the bell alone would cause the dogs to salivate. Pavlov thereby concluded that the dogs had actually learned to associate an unrelated stimulus with food.

In what ways do genetics impact animal behavior?

Every species displays a range of behavior patterns typical of its members. Some patterns are unique to one species. Differences arise, in large part, because during courting animals need to recognize members of their own species quickly and easily. Instincts enable members of a species to respond appropriately to a wide range of situations in the natural world. Instinctive behaviors are often characteristic patterns of feeding, mating, parenting, and displays of aggression. Natural selection develops and refines the behavior patterns in each species.

Positive Reinforcement: C

Negative Reinforcement: D

Punishment: A

Imprinting: B

Assignment #2: Understanding Normal Behavior

Socialization

The socialization age for puppies is 4 to 14 weeks

The socialization age for kittens is 2 to 8 weeks

The socialization age is where animals learn to interact with their own species and others

Needs to be exposed to as much as the world as possible

An unsocialized animal can become fearful or aggressive later in life.

The fear period in puppies is 8 to 10 weeks

The second fear period is near puberty

Aggression

Aggression: behavior bred from an impulse to harm another being

Avoid aggression by proper socialization

Spay/neuter can help curb the risk for aggression

Elimination

Dogs

Positive reinforcement works best

Familiarize pup with correct area

Use treats when pup uses area

Take pup out every 1-2 hours

Should be taken out after waking up, eating, playing, drinking, before bed, & after confinement

Award for elimination immediately

Cats

Cats instinctively use the litter box

Change weekly, scoop daily to remain clean

Because kitten are physically immature, it may be best to have multiple litter boxes until he gets used to it

Cats may stop using the box if it is not clean or private enough

Have as many litter boxes as cats

Assignment #2: Self-Check

The first age period for a puppy to learn fear that will affect it for the rest of its life is D--- 8 to 10 weeks

The best techniques for housebreaking involve the use of C --- positive reinforcement

The critical socialization period for felines is between A --- 2 to 8 weeks of age

Multiple cat households should have B --- the same number of litter boxes as cats

Puppies and kitten learn to interact with their own species during D --- the critical period

What knowledge should a vet tech have before being able to understand behavior problems?

A vet tech should know what normal behavior for a species looks like,

Why do animals need to be socialized to the world as much as possible during the early socialization period?

To prevent an aggressive or fearful dog later in life

What must a pet owner do to provide his/her pet a positive socialization period?

Expose it to both other animals and humans so they are able to handle future stimuli.

Assignment #3: Behavior Problems

Common Behavior Problems

Proper socialization is important to avoid behavior problems

Human contact with pain/neglect is hard to get rid of

Owners are often the cause or continuance of the problem

Canine Separation Anxiety

Mostly young dogs are affected, though some dogs develop the condition later in life

Researching believe dogs from shelters are more prone to the condition

Long periods away can cause the condition in older dogs

Symptoms:

- excessive vocalization

- destructive behavior

- inappropriate urination

- anorexia

- hyper or inactivity

- vomiting

- diarrhea

Can also manifest from fear responses

Dogs will only show symptoms when away

Aggressive Behavior

Most common problem in dogs

Does also occur in cats

When dogs were first domesticated was desirable trait and they were expected to protect owners and territory

Showing aggressive at the wrong time can cause problems

Cats’ aggressive usually at other animals rather than humans

Types of Aggression in Dogs

- Conflict-Related Aggression: Occurs when a dog is exposed to an uncomfortable or uncertain stimulus or conflict. Dogs that have learned that aggressive behavior will allow it to avoid conflict and use the aggression to lessen its fear of the stimulus.

- Also called avoidance conditioning

- Arises from unpredictable environment, usually from punishment-based training methods or from lack of knowledge.

Fear-Induced Aggression: Most common of aggression seen in clinics

- Seen when an animal can’t escape

- Other causes are loud noises, children, or certain individuals

- Often reinforced by owners because they back away from pet when aggression is displayed. This is positive reinforcement and can complicate behaviors

Predator Aggression: Animal will not give a warning like a bark or growl

- Will stalk and bounce

- Cats have strong predatory drives

Pain-Induced Aggression: Preventive instinct

- Pain = natural tendency to bite

- Problem arises when animal displays aggression after pain is gone

Inter-Male Aggression: natural instinct that is eliminated with neuturing.

Territorial Aggression: Dogs tend to be aggressive toward strangers

- Cats aggressive towards other cats in their perceived territory

Maternal Aggression: rare but does occur and rarely becomes a problem.

Many other aggressive behaviors are learned in dogs.

- In cats, aggressive behavior is rare

Elimination Behavior Problems

House soiling is urinating or defecating in the house

A medical problem may be the cause of persistent pet soiling

Dogs with parasites may have trouble controlling their bowels

Females can get UTIs which can cause occasional wetting accidents

Males reach sexually maturity at 7 or 8 months of age.

The only option to stop marking is castration.

Females may also spray.

Both females and males may spray inside the house when there is a new person or animal introduced to the household

Some may soil inside the house because they are indoors too much

Submissive behavior can cause elimination problems

In extreme cases, fear is the cause of indoor soiling

Best to crate dogs when away to avoid indoor soiling

Behavior Problems in Exotics

Birds

Screaming/Squawking

- Persistent screaming and squawking

- Naturally scream at dawn and dusk

- Persistent screaming is a sign of distress

- Screaming at stress in the environment

- May also scream with hungry or thirsty

Biting

- Bite due to fear, excitement, or aggression

- Once stress is eliminated biting will stop

- Returning bird to cage after a bite rewards the behavior

- Pressure on the fingers or shoulders is not biting, they are testing their stability before stepping

- Will begin to bite if neglected

Rodents

Biting

- If handled too roughly or too quickly they will bite

- Before first handling, let the animal get used to the cage

- Best to cup the animal, make it feel contained and supported

- Young rodents may bite out of curiosity

Aggression

- Hamsters cannot be kept in the same cage due to aggression

- Usually fight to the death

- Females are nearly always incompatible

- Mice housed by sex are fine together

- Gerbils can be quite affectionate with each other but play can turn aggressive

- A gerbil who feels threatened will squeak in panic

Assignment #3 Self-Check

Inherited or genetically coded responses are called --- B Instinct

For positive reinforcement to be effective the pleasant event must take place within --- A 20 seconds of the behavior

Describe the importance of an animal’s socialization period: This period helps young animals learn to react appropriately to both their own species, other species, and humans. Cruelty or neglect in this period almost always causes problems later on, and an early association of human contact with pain, fear, or some other bad condition is almost impossible to eradicate.

What are the signs a dog with separation anxiety will exhibit? Excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, inappropriate elimination, anorexia, hyperactivity, inactivity, vomiting, and diarrhea. These signs will manifest only when the owner is away.

Provide an example how an owner would unknowingly reinforce aggressive behavior: When the dog is aggressive and fearful, and a human backs away, the behavior is removed, relieving the fear

What are some way to eliminate inside soiling? ensuring the animal’s good health and physical and emotional safety, spaying or neutering the animals, giving the animal more outdoor access (such as adding another walk to the animal’s schedule), confining the animal to its crate or a room where it eats or sleeps, or retraining the animal.

What are the reasons a bird would bite? Excitement, stress in the environment, aggression, fear

Conflict-related Aggression --- E

Fear-Induced Aggression --- B

Predatory Aggression --- D

Pain-Induced Aggression --- A

Inter-Male Aggression --- F

Territorial Aggression --- C

Maternal Aggression --- G

Assignment #4: Behavior Counseling and Therapy

Behavioral Case History

- Some owners may be embarrassed, so a behavioral case history must be taken

- A longer, more detailed form is used once the behavior has been identified

Treating Problem Behaviors

- You need trust, reward, reprimand and consistency

- without consistent reinforcement, positive behavior skills will fade

- Trust is very important in order to resolve problem behavior

- Owner must be self-confident

- use of reward is also part of good training

- 2 types of reward: vocal and food

- Good to combine them both with positive physical touch

- done so the dog associates praise with physical satisfaction

- Initial behavior modification session should last 5 minutes only

- Reprimand is often the hardest part of training

- Must remain calm when given reprimand

- A clap or loud whistle will help best

- The activity itself should be unpleasant

- must be given immediately

Treatment Techniques for Dogs and Cats

Command-Response-Reward

- used to modify behavior or train a dog

- Give command immediately reward desired result

-Punishment should not be used

Clicker Training

- Used to modify behavior or train a dog

- Used to have dog associate clicking sound with reward

Extinction

- Elimination of a problem behavior by completely removing the reinforcement for the behavior

Aversion Therapy

- create a relationship between an unpleasant stimulus and an object the animal might be damaging

Avoidance Therapy

- the use of negative reinforcement to diminish a problem

- goal is for animal to link the behavior with an unpleasant event and then avoid it

Habituation

- used for minor behavior

- surround pet with stimulus causing the problem until the dog loses interest in it

- not to be used for aggressive or fearful behaviors

Punishment

- used to eliminate undesired behavior

- most difficult form of training

- never be used to treat aggression

Counterconditioning

- can replace an undesirable behavior with a desirable one

- take a stimulus linked to negative emotion and reconditioning the animal by linking the stimulus with a positive emotion

Desensitization

- diminishing a particular behavior by gradually exposing the animal to the stimulus that produces the inappropriate behavior

Environmental Modification

- changing the physical environment of a situation

Surgical Approaches

- spaying/neutering

Pharmaceutical Therapy

- used as a last resort

- most common therapy for aggressive behavior is the administering of gonadal hormones, particularly progestin

- Megestrol Acetate has been shown to reduce male spray in cat and mounting and aggression in dogs

- causes sterilization in males so should not be used in breeding animals

- may increase blood glucose and appetite and hyperplasia of mammary glands

- health of pet must be monitored when on long-term medication

- usually used for a short period of time

Treatment for Birds and Rodents

If bird squawks with not health or physical basis, try changing the environment

Try covering the cage of a loud bird for 5/10 minutes-- not too long for a lonely bird may get bored and make more noise

Need gentle correction

Use a wobble if they bite

Rodents

Bite out of fear

Assignment #4 Self-Check

Initial behavioral modification session should last no longer than --- A 5 minutes

The behavior modification technique that involves elimination of a problem behavior by completely removing the reinforcement for the behavior is --- B Extinction

Long-term pharmaceutical approaches usually involve the administration of --- B hormones

One of the best ways to correct a biting bird is the use of --- D a wobble

What are the components of appropriate behavior therapy? Why are they all needed to make behavior correction effective? --- Trust, reward, reprimand, consistency, and self-confidence. Rewards encourage and reinforce good behavior, while reprimands delivered without fuss discourage unwanted behavior. Being consistent in training creates a stable, predictable environment for the animal to learn, as opposed to having new behavioral skills fade from an animal’s memory

Identify the two types of rewards and provide examples of how when they are used effectively. --- Vocal and Food. Rewards should be used in combination with physical touch so the dog associates an action with physical satisfaction

Command-Response-Reward --- D

Clicker Training --- H

Extinction --- C

Aversion Training --- G

Avoidance Therapy --- I

Habitation --- F

Punishment --- A

Counterconditioning --- E

Desensitizing --- B

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