Behavioural issues

Behavioural first aid

• Understand the concept of behavioural first aid
• Appreciate the most commonly presented behavioural issues and what questions to ask
• Appreciate the difference between training and behaviour: who and how to refer

Behavioural medication

• Understand the basic rational for use of behavioural mediciations
• Understand the relationship between medication and behaviour modification
• Understanding the importance of client comms - including the barriers to medication use

Cat behaviour first aid

• Common feline behavioural problems
• First line options to manage feline behaviour problems
• When to refer to a behaviourist, and what to look for in feline behaviourist?

Dog behaviour first aid

• Common canine behaviour problems
• First line options to manage canine behaviour problems
• When to refer to a behaviourist and how do you find a good behaviour professional?

The first puppy consult: Behavioural considerations

• Basic training skills
• Correct use of positive reinforcement
• Preventing development of behaviour problems

Behaviour considerations for the rescue dog

• Supporting transition from rescue to home
• Commonly seen behaviour problems from imported dogs
• Basic training skills

• Understand commonly encountered emotional states of dogs at the clinic
• Recognise subtle emotional signals related to underlying emotions
• Articulate the benefits of recognition and empathy with patients’ emotional states at the clinic

 Claire Hargrave, an ASAB certificated clinical animal behaviourist and a member of, and honorary secretary to, the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, explains how puppy and kitten breeders can best prepare their young charges for their new forever homes.

Problem’ behaviour in cats brought to the attention of veterinary surgeons is based on the individual owner’s subjective assessment and perception of what constitutes a problem. Many of the behaviours highlighted by owners will be normal for the species but are misinterpreted by the owner as being ‘bad’. This chapter looks at taking history, house soiling, urine spraying, aggression toward other cats, aggression toward people, anxiety/fear, excessive scratching of furniture, behavioural problems associated with old age, feline facial pheromones, psychotropic medication and when to refer.