Copyright 2000. Dumb
Friends League. All rights reserved.
The volunteers who staff our
Behavior Helpline have completed an extensive training program taught by
animal behavior professionals. We are able to assist pet owners with many
types of animal behavior problems; however, there are some problems we
can’t resolve over the phone because it isn’t safe or accurate to diagnose
certain behavioral problems without observing the animal’s postures and
reactions to certain stimuli.
Aggression
There are many reasons an animal may behave
aggressively, including fear, dominance, food or object possessiveness,
territorial behavior or protective behavior. It’s necessary to obtain a
complete behavioral history through detailed information gathering and
direct observation of the animal in his own environment, before a
diagnosis and recommendations can be made. This can’t be accomplished over
the phone, however, we can provide detailed handouts explaining the causes
of aggression and procedures that should be avoided because they may make
the problem worse. An animal that threatens another animal or human by
growling, hissing, baring his teeth, snapping or biting, presents a danger
to others.
The first step is to have a veterinarian examine your pet to evaluate
him for possible medical reasons for the aggressive behavior. If it’s not
a medical problem, you should seek the services of an animal behavior
specialist. If a professional animal behaviorist can’t help, it may be
best for all concerned to have your pet humanely euthanized. You may
either have your own veterinarian euthanize your pet, or you may surrender
him to an animal shelter. If you choose to surrender your pet to a
shelter, please relate all the information you have about his behavior.
Phobias
Some animals,
usually dogs, may develop intense, irrational fears, including fear of
thunderstorms, firecrackers and other loud noises. Many phobias can be
successfully treated using a combination of behavior modification and
short-term drug therapy prescribed by a veterinarian. This type of
treatment cannot be administered over the telephone. We do have several
handouts that explain these problems and the types of behavior
modification procedures used to work with them. If your pet exhibits this
type of behavior, you should contact your veterinarian for information
about medication and for a referral to an animal behavior specialist.
Excessive Grooming
Dogs and cats will sometimes lick themselves excessively
until skin sores form, or will pull patches of hair from their bodies.
Treatment often involves a combination of drug therapy and behavior
modification that can only be obtained through your veterinarian and an
animal behavior specialist.
Finding Professional Help
When an individual case is too complex to analyze and
resolve over the telephone, you should seek help from a veterinarian and
an animal behavior specialist, however, knowing where to turn can be
confusing. People who work with animal behavior problems are not regulated
by any government agency and may have very different types of
qualifications.
- Veterinarian: When your
pet has a problem, your first call should always be to your
veterinarian. Urinary tract infections, hormone imbalances, neurological
conditions, genetic abnormalities, orthopedic problems and dental
disease are just a few examples of medical problems that can influence
your pet’s behavior. Ask your veterinarian if he has received any
specific training in animal behavior, and if not, ask him if he can
refer you to an animal behavior specialist.
- Certified Applied Animal
Behaviorist: Animal behavior is a specialized
field of scientific study. In order to become a certified applied animal
behaviorist, an individual must have specialized training in behavior
problems in companion animals. The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) grants
certification to behaviorists who are academically trained, have
experience in the field and meet the ethical standards of the ABS.
People who’ve worked with or trained animals for many years, aren’t
animal behaviorists unless they’ve received specialized academic
training.
- Animal Trainer: Some
animal trainers are self-taught, and some may have apprenticed under
another trainer and/or attended various training seminars. Animal
trainers don’t usually have specialized academic training in the study
of animal behavior. Good animal trainers are knowledgeable about
different types of training methods that focus primarily on reinforcing
good behavior and use punishment sparingly, appropriately, humanely or
not at all. Innapropriate use of correction collars, including using
chokers to lift dogs off the ground and "string them up," aren’t
appropriate or humane training methods and may cause injury to your dog.
- Dog obedience classes are an
excellent way to develop a good relationship with your dog and gain more
control over him by teaching him to respond reliably to specific
commands. However, resolving behavior problems, such as housesoiling,
barking, aggression or separation anxiety requires more than teaching
your dog commands. Specific behavior modification techniques must also
be used. Some animal trainers also offer behavior consulting services.
- Ask the trainer what methods
they use and how they were trained. Go to a class, and if you observe
techniques you’re not comfortable with, find another trainer. Dog
obedience instructors can be endorsed by the National Association of Dog
Obedience Instructors (NADOI). Endorsement indicates that instructors
have been approved by their peers and use humane methods of training. If
the trainer is endorsed by another organization, ask about the criteria
for endorsement.
Things To Watch For And Avoid
- People who guarantee their
work: Qualified
behaviorists and trainers will always do their best for you, but cannot
guarantee outcomes, because animals have minds of their own, and can
never be completely controlled by humans.
- People whose primary methods focus on punishment: If their
recommendations involve choking, hitting or slapping your pet,
confinement or isolation, this indicates little or no understanding of
animal behavior.
- People who misrepresent their qualifications: People who call
themselves animal behaviorists, even though they’re not academically
trained in animal behavior.
- People who want to train your pet for you: Most behavior
problems are a result of interactions between the animal, the owner and
the environment. Giving your pet to someone else to "fix" the problem is
rarely successful because these three elements aren’t addressed. Owners
need to work with the animal in the home environment.
If you’re committed to working with your pet, and find qualified people
to help you, the chances are good that you’ll successfully resolve your
pet’s problem behaviors. |
