Understanding Normal Behavior

Slide 1

• Understanding Normal Behavior

Slide 2

• The first age period for a puppy to learn fear that will affect it for the rest of its life is 8 to 10 weeks.
• The best technique for housebreaking involve the use of positive reinforcement.
• The critical socialization period for felines occurs between 2 to 8 weeks of age.
• Multiple-cat households should have at least as many litter boxes as cats.
• Puppies and kittens learn to interact with their own species during the critical period.

Slide 3

• What knowledge must a veterinary technician have before being capable of understanding a behavior problem?
• Before a technician truly can understand a behavior problem, he or she must understand what’s considered “normal” for the species. With knowledge of normal behavior, veterinary professionals in many instances can provide timely advice to prevent behavioral problems.

Slide 4

• Why do animals need to be exposed to as much of the world as possible during the early socialization period?
• An animal that isn’t properly socialized at this time can become overly fearful of situations later in life. Exposure to humans and other animals helps the young animal to learn how to respond to future stimuli.

Slide 5

• What must a pet owner do to provide his or her pet a positive socialization period?
• Expose the young animal to humans and other animals to help it learn how to respond to future stimuli. Be mindful that during the early weeks of an animal’s life, pain, punishment, and adverse attention can cause permanent psychological dam- age that result in life-long fearful behavior.