Veterinary Medicine - September 2008 - (Page 505)

of Age to Promote Socialization and Good Behavior by Julie Jackson, R.K. Anderson, and Scott Line (Premier Pet Products) is a particularly user-friendly guide,14 but most of the behavior textbooks also contain good chapters on teaching puppy classes. If you don’t have time to offer classes on your own, work with other veterinarians in your community to form classes. Different clinicians and trained technicians could rotate the responsibilities of teaching the classes. And it has become increasingly common for trainers and pet stores to offer puppy classes. As long as a quali ed person watches the classes and con rms that they are well-run, give correct advice, and cover the most appropriate subjects, you can recommend that facility. Finally, socialization biscuits are an important socialization tool you should discuss at every rst puppy visit, especially if the owners cannot get their dogs into a puppy class.10 Recommend that owners carry special treats everywhere with them and their new dogs and allow strangers to offer these treats to the dogs. These dogs will learn to expect good things to happen every time they meet a new person. The fact is, more of your patients are likely to die because of behavior problems than of infectious diseases such as parvovirus infection or distemper, so teaching your clients the importance of proper socialization is critical. Untreated behavior problems usually worsen with time. that might be expected to contribute to MYTH #3 pet behavior problems are not correlated with a higher incidence of problems.12,13 Furthermore, studies have shown that behavior and behavior problems are strongly in uenced by genetics.14 Certainly, a dog’s environment and experiences affect its behavior, but they are seldom the sole causes of a behavior problem. To suggest that pet owners’ personalities can cause pets’ behavior problems is not only hurtful, it is also “My dog is aggressive/fearful/ counterproductive because an owner shy because she was abused distressed by guilt is not in an emotional as a puppy.” position to do the hard work that treating a behavior problem requires. Pet owners need to be receptive to your advice. So Certainly, if a dog is acquired after 6 tell them that what they do affects their months of age and is fearful, no one pets’ behavior but does not necessarily can be certain that it was not abused. cause it. Then teach owners appropriate But by focusing on that possibility, we management techniques, and they will fail to emphasize the more common be in an excellent position to improve causes, and we miss an opportunity their pets’ behavior. to educate our clients about what they I nd a comparison to diabetes to be can do to help prevent and treat feareffective in helping clients understand the related behavior problems. Believing clinical approach to behavior problems. that an animal’s behavior is strictly a We do not cure diabetes; we manage it. result of events that happened before it And diabetes is usually not managed with was acquired enables many pet owners insulin alone, just as behavior problems to completely deny responsibility for are rarely managed with drugs alone. their pets’ behavior, likely setting the Managing diabetes requires that clients pets up for disaster. Behavior problems, have a basic knowledge of glucose me- especially those based on fear or anxitabolism so they can manage their pets’ ety, when ignored will almost always environment and behavior appropriately worsen with time. Although we still have much to learn (i.e. maintain a fairly consistent diet and exercise regimen). Managing behavior about the genetics of behavior, it is wellproblems will similarly require a basic documented that fearful or shy behaviors knowledge of normal dog behavior and are highly heritable traits.14,15 However, the principles of learning. the expression of these traits will also be The fact is, for many behavior prob- in uenced by learning and the environlems, early recognition and appropri- ment. Dogs can be habituated to the stimuli ate management can improve a pet’s that cause them fear by using properly behavior, strengthen the owner-pet designed programs of desensitization and bond, and help avoid relinquishment. counterconditioning. These programs can An owner’s personality has little, if be highly effective, especially if started as any in uence. soon as the problem is identi ed. The longer VETERINARY MEDICINE September 2008 MYTH #2 “Crazy owners have crazy pets.” I am surprised at how often I hear this comment from veterinarians as well as nonveterinary professionals. Studies have demonstrated that owner personalities 505

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - September 2008

Veterinary Medicine - September 2008 Contents Leading Off Practical Matters Idea Exchange A Challengin Case: Thymic Cyst and Recurrent Chylothorax in a Cat 10 Life-Threatening Behavior Myths CE Form Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - September 2008

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