Addressing Behavioral Issues with Companion Animals

Question 1

What is the difference between the structure and function of behavior?

give examples

Answer 1

structure - the topography of the behavior
* ex: different ways to open a door (kicking it down, turning the knob, etc.)
function - reinforcer maintaining the behavior
* ex: attention, assess to edible items, assess to tangible items, needs

Question 2

Why is knowing the function of behavior important?

Answer 2

It is important to know as it tends to be the underlying piece for the structure, especially for trainers. Once the function (reinforcer) is know, the structure can be changed. This can be used reinforce and maintain desirable behavior.

Question 3

What are the rules for using positive punishment?

Answer 3

1. must be something the animal dislikes and something they don’t expect
2. must supress behavior
3. must of perfect intensity
4. must happen immedietly after
5. must be associated with behavior not train the trainer
6. must happen everytime behavior occurs
7. must be an alternative for the animal
8. must never be used to the extent that the punishment outweights positive reinforcement

Question 4

What are some alternative for punishments?

Answer 4

Training, normalize behavior, management (make the environment so that it is less likely to occur)

Question 5

What are typical components for treatment of scratching in cats?

Answer 5

• giving appropriate scratching opportunties
• pay attention to preferred orentation and substrate
• use deterrents (tin foild, double sided table) on problem surfaces

Question 6

What are typical components for treatment of litterbox issues in cats?

Answer 6

• vet check for UTI
• number of litter box (# of cats + 1)
• assess locations
• give litter type choice
• adress other stressors

Question 7

What are typical components for treatment of resource guarding?

Answer 7

• crate when feeding or giving high value items
• don’t approach when dog has resource
• train - trade items, owner being near resource means more good things will come, move away from resource in calm behavior

Question 8

What are typical components for treatment of separation anxiety?

Answer 8

• behavioral - counterconditioning, desensitizing, crate training, should not be left alone during training
• environmental enrichment - tv, noise, more toys, frozen beef bones

Question 9

What are typical compoents for treatment of aggression?

Answer 9

• contact qualified proffesional
• manage environment to reduce
• train to alternative response
• do not use punishment
• manage and train - humans, househould and nonhousehold dogs