1.3 Common pet behavior problems

1.3 - RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF COMMON BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS & SUGGESTIONS FOR CORRECTING THEM

Cats and dogs continue early socialization over a long period. Cats have the ability to readily adapt to life with people but still remain quite self-sufficient. Dogs & cats develop advanced socialization & instrumental-learning behavior patterns throughout their lives, helping them to adapt to new situations.

Mice, gerbils, guinea pigs & birds have a shorter socialization period but also like group living. They are required to live in cages but with proper imprinting they tolerate and welcome human handling. Hand feeding birds is also important to imprinting.

Even under ideal circumstances behavioral problems can arise. Some are easy to trace a specific cause and are easy to correct. Others have more complex or mysterious origins so resolving them takes time and effort.

Different species have different body structures, instincts and environmental responses. So, they also have different behavior problems. Most common encountered for VT is dogs, cats, birds & rodents. A VT educated in animal behavior can be a valuable resource, as clients ask non-medical behavior-related questions.

Prevention of issues is easier than correction so the first step is find out the cause of problem behaviors. Pet owners who attempt to correct the behavior itself are in a cycle of hope and frustration and they can be cause of the problem or its continuance.

COMMON BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS:

CANINE SEPARATION ANXIETY: Dogs develop strong close bonds with owners. They are highly social and bonds are necessary to survival. In some cases, the bond is so strong the dog feels anxiety when separated from owner. This occurs generally in young dogs but some have it later in life.

There are no clear causes of separation anxiety. Some believe dogs from animal shelters are more prone to this. In older dogs, extended periods away from owners may be linked to development of sep. anxiety.

Canine separation anxiety can manifest in many forms: Excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, inappropriate elimination, anorexia, hyperactivity or inactivity. Some exhibit physical signs: vomiting, diarrhea. Since signs aren't distinct it's good to rule out other causes of behavior. Destructive behaviors, vocalization etc can result from fear responses, territorial behaviors and medical conditions including pain & gastrointestinal diseases. This makes it tricky to diagnose. Dogs with canine sep. anxiety will ONLY manifest behavior issues when owner is away.

AGGRESSION: These are the most common problems reported in dogs. When dogs were initially domesticated, aggression was considered desirable to protect owners & territory. Display of aggression at a bad time can lead to problems. Cats usually direct aggression at other animals not humans.

Types of aggression in dogs: Conflict-related aggression - occurs when a dog is exposed to uncomfortable or uncertain stimulus or conflict. It uses aggression to lessen fear of stimulus & avoid conflict instead of dealing with issues. Learning this is called AVOIDANCE CONDITIONING. This aggression arises from unpredictable environment. This often occurs in households that use punishment-based training. E.g good dog is aggressive towards baby.

Fear-induced aggression - this is the most common type seen in animal hospitals. It occurs when an animal is in a position it cannot escape from. Other causes include loud noises, children or specific individuals. Owners unwittingly reinforce it as they leave the pet when it's showing fear aggression. This provides positive reinforcement and can complicate treatment.

Predatory aggression: Animal stalks prey until pouncing. No prior indication of action is given. This instinct is strong for cats (birds or rodents). In dogs it may result in another animal or child attacked as prey. Households with cats & birds are cautious

Pain-induced aggression: Aggressive behavior related to pain is protective instinct. A pet with a painful area may bite. This aggression is one factor that keeps dogfights going - individual breaks up fight through punishment, pain inflicted intensifies fight. Problems related to pain-induced aggression occurs when animal in pain continues aggression even after pain stimulus has gone.

Inter-male aggression: Male dogs & cats display aggression towards each other. It is a natural instinct that's nearly eliminated by castration. If not, medication helps.

Territorial aggression: Aggressive tendencies towards territory is different in dogs and cats. Dogs are aggressive towards unfamiliar humans. Cats are aggressive towards other cats in their territory. This aggression rarely causes problems in household. Some aggressive problems that seem like territorial aggression aren't e.g. dog snaps at owner when they take away toy/food is conflict-related aggression.

Other aggressive behaviors: Maternal aggression is rare but can happen in postparturition period. Normal instinct to protect animal from danger.

Many other aggression related problems are learned behaviors. Owners reinforce them. E.g. dog growls at owner, owner goes away, the dog learns that growling makes them leave. Dogs can also be taught to fight on command. Learned aggression isn't common in cats but can occur.

Elimination Behavior Problems: Some dogs soil because they are indoors too much. Owners should add another walk to the schedule or keep the dog outside longer. Walks outside the yard reduce aggression. Submissive behaviors can cause urination, use behavior modification to solve it. Another cause of soiling is fear. This isn't considered elimination behavior problems because the problem disappears when fear is taken away.

To deter against house soiling experts recommend cleaning & drying area then making the dog lie there. If they do it often its good to confine them to a crate or room where it eats/sleeps as it is less likely to do it there.

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN EXOTIC PETS:

Birds: birds spend most of the time in cages so they present fewer problems related to soiling/household damage. The most common problems are 1. persistent screaming/ squawking, 2. biting. Birds usually scream at dawn & dusk. Persistent noisemaking signals distress. This can be when the cage is too close to a TV, stereo or window all with too much noise. Or they scream at owners who have not fed/watered them.

Birds bite for 3 reasons: 1. Fear, 2. Excitement, 3. Aggression. 1 & 2 are a result of environmental stress. It goes away when the bird is soothed or env. cause is removed. Returning to the cage after the bird bites can be seen as rewarding it, so it may do this every time (reinforced bad behavior). Birds will bite aggressively if they weren't socialized to humans/suffered abuse. And few remedies for this exist.

Rodents: The most common problems are 1. biting, 2. aggression towards other rodents. Rodents almost always bite when handled too fast or roughly. It should be allowed to get used to cage before handled. Too much light/noise can cause stress. Introduce hands slowly and make sure it is fully awake. Young rodents may bite out of curiosity, the explore and see if handlers are good to eat.

Rodents in the same cage may be aggressive towards each other e.g. hamsters (after puberty they will fight to the death). Mice can live together in colonies and are best separated by sex. Gerbils can be affectionate but play can become aggressive & if they feel in danger they will squeak loudly. Most dangerous behavior is when two animals roll together in a ball (trying to kill each other).