Techniques for behavior training:Definition of terms

• aversive substrates-materials that lead to avoidance. These include contact paper or deterrent sprays-counter conditioning-positive rewards
• head halters-
• remote correction-must be done with seconds of the undesired behavior and must be delivered every time the undesired behavior occurs-examples include a squirt from a water gun, a loud noise such as a shaker can or air horn, or a motion activated device
• Drug Therapy and Medicating Misbehavior
• Aggression at the Veterinarian's Office

Dominance Aggression

Dominance aggression is usually associated with gaining or maintaining access to a valuable resource. The dog uses aggression to control objects or interactions. The target of the aggression is usually engaged in some type of interaction with the dog that triggers aggressive behavior. This behavior is usually triggered in the following situations.

• protection of food or toys
• disturbed when sleeping/resting
• owner is trying to lead their pet by a collar
• the dog is being disciplined
• the pet is being groomed

Aggression toward humans:
Treatment includes:

• obedience training
• neuter the intact pet
• basic deferment-the pet must defer to the owner by responding to an obedience command prior to getting anything including food, walks, and attention
• counter conditioning-rewarding the pet for good behavior
• use head halters
• do not allow on furniture
• eliminate competitive games

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Aggression between household dogs:
Treatment includes:

• remove triggers for aggression
• identify and show favoritism to dominant dog
• reprimand subordinate dog for engaging in behaviors that may trigger aggression
• neuter the subordinate dog

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Fear-Related Aggression

The dog will often display signs of fear or escape behavior before exhibiting aggression. When a fearful dog is trapped, the dog is most likely to bite. For example, when a dog is in a cage at a veterinarian. It will leash out and attempt to bite.

Treatment:

• use systemic desensitization to fear-evoked stimuli and counter conditioning
• head halters are useful in training
• drug therapy

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Predatory Aggression

The dog will stalk, chase, bite, and attempt to kill. Predatory aggression carries a poor prognosis. The usual target is small animals or children.

Treatment:

• confinement and control
• remote correction
• euthanasia

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Territorial Aggression

Dogs usually respond to unfamiliar people or animals coming into their territory by aggressive behavior. Driving away the target often rewards the aggression. Dogs show signs of territorial aggression by showing changes in body posture, growling, snarling, barking, lunging, and biting.

Treatment:

• systemic desensitization and counter conditioning to the arrival of visitors -head halters
• isolate the dog so that they do not have the opportunity to injure people or other pets

House soiling

Before behavior treatment a medical work up should be performed. This includes a series of blood tests, urinalysis, radiographs, possible ultrasound, and stool examinations.

Anxiety Related Elimination

When dogs exhibit fear, they may urinate, defecate, or express their anal sacs.

Treatment:

• desensitization and counter conditioning
• drug therapy

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Submissive Urination

Usually occurs with reprimand. Most dogs will outgrow this behavior.

Treatment:

• greet the dog in a less threatening manner (kneel down, avert direct gaze, pet under the chest instead of the head) or ignore the dog for a few minutes.
• do not punish for this behavior

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Urine Marking

Urine marking involves small quantities of urine usually deposited on vertical targets.

Treatment:

• neuter intact males
• remote correction

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Cognitive Dysfunction (Senility)

Besides loss of house training, other signs include disorientation, change in the dog's sleep/wake cycle, and change in social interactions.

Treatment: -a complete diagnostic work up is indicated before any other therapy is indicated

• drug therapy may be of some help

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Excitement Urination

This behavior is usually seen in younger dogs, and many will outgrow this behavior.

Treatment:

• decrease the level of arousal in situation that elicit excitement urination
• counter condition the dog to engage in another activity when excited

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Failure of House Training

A dog that will urinate or defecate in the house, often regardless of the presence of the owner.

Treatment: -DO NOT PUNISH IF NOT CAUGHT IN THE ACT

• close supervision
• take the dog out numerous times especially after naps, feeding, or play
• reward outdoor elimination immediately by praise or treats
• if caught immediately-startle your pet by a loud noise and then immediately take out and praise if it does successfully eliminate outdoors

Destructive Behavior

Digging

• cause--regulate body temperature-holes are in cool, shady areas
• solution-provide a cool area in which the dog can rest

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Chewing

Most chewing occurs with puppy exploration and play. It may occur with an energetic dog left alone without acceptable outlets for chewing. Destructive chewing may also be associated with anxiety, associated with loud noises and separation from family members.

Treatment:

• provide appropriate chew items-these must be sufficiently different from household items
• provide exercise outlets
• crate training (this must be a positive experience)
• remote correction
• drug therapy

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Barking

The motivation of the barking should be determined if possible.

Treatment:

• bark collars (collars producing a shock) other types of collars include a citronella collar and a collar sending a signal to a device producing a high pitched noise
• bark collars may be effective, but should not be used in dogs that engage in anxiety-related barking
• anxiety related barking includes stimuli to noises, separation from owners
• treatment for anxiety related barking includes desensitization and counter conditioning

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Begging and Pawing

The owner has reinforced these behaviors.

Treatment:

• remove the reinforcement to the behavior
• have the owner leave in response to the undesired behavior

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Coprophagia (ingestion of feces)

Treatment:

• rule out a medical problem
• add a supplement to the food to make the feces less attractive-these include monosodium glutamate, or a produce called FOR-BID (sold by veterinarians)

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Jumping

Treatment:

• counter conditioning-encourage sitting during greetings and reward positively
• have a leash or head halter on the dog and when the behavior occurs gently pull down on the leash

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Mounting

This is usually socially and sexually motivated.

Treatment:

• neuter intact males
• remove any reinforcements

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Noise Phobias

Response to a loud noise such as thunderstorms or firecrackers.

Treatment:

• desensitization using tapes or CD's of the appropriate noise -offer a protected area when the dog hears loud noises
• drug therapy may be helpful

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Separation Anxiety

Abnormal and excessive fear reaction to being left alone.

Treatment:

• desensitize dog to departure (picking up keys, putting on a coat)
• minimize excitement associated with greeting and departures
• giving the dog a long-lasting tasty food prior to departure
• drug therapy may be helpful