Behaviour Problems in Small Animals: Practical Advice for the Veterinary Team

266 Pages·2005·8.38 MB·English

by  John Bowen

© 2005, Elsevier Limited. All rights reserved.
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First published 2005
ISBN 0702027677
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Acatalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Acatalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
Notice
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience
broaden our knowledge, changes in practice, treatment and drug therapy may become necessary or
appropriate. Readers are advised to check the most current information provided (i) on procedures
featured or (ii) by the manufacturer of each product to be administered, to verify the recommended
dose or formula, the method and duration of administration, and contraindications. It is the
responsibility of the practitioner, relying on their own experience and knowledge of the patient, to
make diagnoses, to determine dosages and the best treatment for each individual patient, and to
take all appropriate safety precautions. To the fullest extent of the law, neither the publisher nor the
author assumes any liability for any injury and/or damage.
The Publisher
Printed in China
vii
Preface
Behavioural medicine is an important branch of both may reveal weakness. In companion dogs this might trans-
human and veterinary medicine. When we are unwell late into increased aggressive reactions towards other dogs
friends or family members may notice that we have in the home, unfamiliar dogs met on a walk, children or the
become moody, irritable or depressed, while work col- adult owner. Direct signs of the physical cause of the
leagues may pick up on a drop in our performance or con- change in aggressiveness may be suppressed, but there is
centration and these behavioural, rather than physical still a very obvious change in behaviour and this may be
signs may be the reason that medical assistance is sought. the only reason why an owner approaches the veterinary
Once we have been successfully treated our mood often surgeon for advice.
lifts and our behaviour returns to normal. In some circum- This strong link between behaviour and disease makes it
stances we may consider it perfectly acceptable to use essential that we ask questions about behaviour as part of
illness as an excuse for our own bad behaviour while in our routine consultations and investigate potential medical
others we may be acutely aware of the need to mask our causes when behavioural symptoms are presented.
illness and put on a show of strength in order to conceal Unfortunately behavioural medicine forms only a tiny part
our vulnerabilities. of the curriculum for most universities and colleges that
In a veterinary context things are not so different and teach veterinary medicine or nursing and it is easy to be
when companion animals are ill they often obtain medical overwhelmed at first by the range and type of behavioural
help primarily because their owner has noticed a change in problems that clients bring to us in general practice.
their behaviour. Owners often refer to general signs of Certainly there may be some that could be referred straight
illness such as mood changes, irritability and depression away but in most cases the vet will feel obliged to offer
and as vets we are frequently presented with animals that some first line advice and this stage of dealing with a
are reportedly unwell on the basis of these general signs. It behaviour case is vitally important since mishandling can
is up to us to investigate the cause. In other cases more lead to serious consequences in terms of animal suffering,
specific medical symptoms may be reported, such as poly- human injury or litigation.
dypsia and lameness, but these are merely behavioural In this book we have adopted a particular style and lay-
adaptations that enable the animal to continue to function out that we hope will make it more accessible for readers in
despite the presence of pathology, so once again behav- a busy practice environment. For example, key information
ioural medicine is involved. The expression of signs of ill- on problem prevention and immediate advice to give to
ness is very dependent on the ethology of the species and clients is placed into easily located text boxes within each
in a social species, such as the dog, it can be potentially section. We deliberately chose not to break up the text with
risky to show signs of vulnerability that might affect rank references because we wanted the text to be easily read but
within the group, so signs of illness are often concealed. further reading suggestions are included for those who
One possible result of this is that the ill individual may wish to expand their behavioural knowledge and look at
become more aggressive in order to deter competition that some of the primary research in this fascinating field.
ix
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my wife, family and friends for con- Thanks to my two sons, Matthew and David, and to my
tinuing to offer support and advice throughout every foul parents. Without their support this book would certainly
mood I experienced whilst writing my sections of this not have been written. Thanks also to all of the staff at the
book. I would particularly like to thank my mother, Jo practice for their support and to Jon’s mum for her much
Bowen, for her incredibly diligent and patient proof read- appreciated proof reading.
ing. Without her contribution my sections of the book Sarah Heath
would never have been completed.
Jon Bowen We would both like to thank Elsevier for giving us the
opportunity to produce this book and hopefully encourage
the study of behavioural medicine in a veterinary context.
3
1
Chapter
Providing a practical behavioural service
DEALING WITH BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES
CHAPTER CONTENTS
When considering the incorporation of behaviour into
Dealing with behavioural issues 3
general practice, veterinary surgeons are often concerned
Providing a practical behavioural service 4
about the level of time commitment that will be required
Increasing owner awareness of the behavioural
to deal with individual cases. They are also concerned
service 4
about the lack of education that they received at under-
Catering for the prospective owner 4
graduate level in the field of companion animal behaviour
Providing a behavioural advice service for breeders 5
and are aware of the need to be familiar with the natural
The new owner 8
behaviour patterns of the common companion animal
Dealing with behaviour cases 10
species, as well as with the possible link between human
The behavioural consultation 10
behaviour and inappropriate animal responses. These con-
Getting down to the problem 11
cerns often prevent practices from pushing behaviour to
Making the diagnosis 12
the top of their agenda, but dealing with specific behav-
Providing informed referral 12
ioural cases is only one aspect of providing a behavioural
Making the link with disease 12
service and veterinary practices can significantly improve
Offering options 13
their service to their clients by offering behavioural advice
All part of the service 14
in a variety of other ways. Providing a behavioural service
has numerous benefits both for the clients and the practice;
in particular it can:
● improve the quality of life for animal and owner alike
and so increase client appreciation of the practice
● make life easier in the consulting room and increase
job satisfaction for both vets and nurses
● provide a valuable extension of the veterinary nurse’s
role
● encourage a greater rapport with clients
● be financially rewarding, either directly through offer-
ing behavioural consultations or indirectly by
decreasing the possibility of euthanasia of otherwise
healthy young pets.
An obligation to be involved
The high incidence of behavioural problems in the domestic
pet population is highlighted by research which suggests
that the primary reason for euthanasia in young, physically
healthy animals is concern over an aspect of their behav-
iour. The welfare concerns that such research raises lead to
an obligation on the part of the veterinary profession to be
4 PRACTICE TIPS
involved in the prevention and treatment of behavioural opportunity for the reception staff to mention behavioural
disorders and in the education of those that breed, rear, and topics as they sell the items, which can often lead to owners
own domestic pets. feeling able to discuss specific behavioural issues.
Booklets and magazines with a behavioural message can
PROVIDING A PRACTICAL BEHAVIOURAL SERVICE be left on the tables in the waiting room. Most owners are
grateful for something interesting to read or look at while
Although behavioural consultations with clients already
they are waiting for an appointment and the presence of lit-
experiencing problems with their pets is often highlighted as
erature with a behavioural slant increases awareness that
the main emphasis of behavioural practice, this is not
the practice is interested in behavioural issues. Practice
necessarily the case and a more holistic view of behavioural
copies of the booklets that are stocked as merchandise can
medicine is needed within general practice. Providing a
help to promote sales by allowing clients time to leaf
behavioural service involves a number of elements including:
through them.
● making clients aware that behavioural issues are
Handouts and information sheets are used in many
taken seriously within the practice
practices to convey important messages to clients on a wide
● providing pet selection interviews and literature to
variety of subjects, including dental care, worming and vacci-
assist prospective owners in choosing their pet
nation. It is easy to include behaviour in these handouts and,
● providing a behavioural advice service for breeders
by leaving them in the waiting room for clients to help them-
● providing behavioural advice for new owners
selves, the very common problem of people being reluctant
● organising kitten information evenings and puppy
to admit that they are concerned about their pet’s behaviour
parties
can be overcome. The practice address and telephone num-
● offering informed referral to a veterinary behaviourist
ber should be clearly printed on the leaflets and, if possible,
or behaviour counsellor
the name of a member of the practice staff who can be con-
● providing behaviour-based information clinics and
tacted to discuss the problem should also be given. Aper-
literature for clients
sonal touch is extremely beneficial in behavioural cases since
● offering behavioural consultations for individual
the owners are often at the end of their tether and many are
clients and their pets.
experiencing feelings of guilt, shame and failure as a result of
their pet’s behaviour. It is therefore essential to offer relevant
and helpful advice in a friendly and welcoming manner.
Increasing owner awareness of the behavioural
service Videos can be played in the waiting room area and used
not only to impart some information about behaviour, but
It is necessary to take every opportunity to inform the
also to inform clients that behaviour is taken seriously in
clients of the behaviour services that the practice has to offer.
this practice. Videos can then be lent, hired out or even sold
Simply by mentioning behaviour during a consultation,
by the practice.
and by showing interest and concern about the issues that
Ideally, a receptionist should be constantly available so
owners face, the veterinary practice can help clients to
that any questions that the client wishes to raise as a result
recognise where there may be a problem and encourage
of seeing posters or reading behavioural material can either
them to seek suitable advice. Waiting room space is often
be answered there and then, or the client can be advised to
sadly underused and there are a number of ways in which
mention the matter to the vet once they get into the consult-
this area can be utilised to demonstrate that the veterinary
ing room.
practice has a positive attitude to behavioural issues.
Posters can be a useful way of getting the message across,
and perhaps provoking discussion between clients as they Catering for the prospective owner
wait. They can advertise the fact that the practice acknowl-
One of the most disheartening aspects of working in the
edges behavioural problems and can offer help with their
field of veterinary behaviour is the fact that so many of the
solution, which will often be enough to encourage clients to
problems that are being presented could have been
mention their concerns to both the vet and the nursing
avoided. Taking the time to consider the way in which
staff, thereby opening up the possibility of taking the
domestic pets are bred and reared is obviously important,
subject further.
but it is not the only possible approach in the prevention of
Merchandise such as books on companion animal behav- behavioural problems and working with prospective own-
iour and a range of behaviour-related products (for exam- ers can be a very rewarding exercise for the veterinary
ple, headcollars, clickers, and bitter apple spray), in the practice.
reception area will often quietly increase the profile of The main objective is to assist people in choosing the pet
behaviour within the practice and make clients more aware that is best suited to their requirements and which offers
of the services the practice can offer. It can also provide an them the best potential for a long and mutually rewarding
Providing a practical behavioural service 5
relationship. In order to achieve this it is worth taking time valuable additions to the practice literature (see Figs 1.1
to determine the prospective owner’s expectations and and 1.2 for sample guidelines).
help them to assess the commitment of pet ownership in
realistic terms. There will be a number of factors that need
Advice for prospective owners electing to take on an adult.
to be considered and it is important to steer people away
Carefully consider the source of your new pet. If you are taking
from misguided choices and give clearly justifiable reasons
on a rescue animal visit the rescue centre before you are
for the selection that is advised. Many prospective owners actually looking for a pet and observe their facilities and ask
will not have taken the time to sit down and rationally about their re-homing policy.
evaluate their reasons for wanting a pet and it can be very
Try to ensure that your selection is ruled by your head and not
helpful to talk them through this process. Pointing out the
your heart. Resist the temptation to take an animal home on
possible considerations in terms of the species, breed, age, impulse and do not base your selection purely on appearance −
and sex of the potential pet can help to put the decision in there is a lot of information that you need to find out.
perspective and can prevent distressing mismatches.
If possible gain as much information as possible about the
Since many owners are still unaware that veterinary
animal’s history. Find out as much as possible about the
practices can offer any support or guidance before a pet is environment in which it lived and the human composition of its
acquired, it is important to increase awareness by display- previous household.
ing posters in the waiting room. Drawing attention to the
Be patient in the early stages after adoption, but do start as you
existence of pet selection interviews can emphasise the
mean to go on and consistently apply any house rules that you
importance of the decision-making process and encourage wish to establish.
prospective owners to think carefully about the issues
Expect a honeymoon period − it can take three or four weeks for
involved. These interviews are often carried out by the vet-
behavioural problems to show.
erinary nurse and they offer another way in which nursing
staff can make a valuable contribution to the overall Do not fall into the trap of selecting an adult rather than a puppy
preventative health care programme that the practice can or kitten because they are ‘less work’ − this is not necessarily
true.
provide. If the practice does not have the time to offer face-
to-face interviews for this purpose, it is possible to produce
Figure 1.1 Advice for prospective owners electing to take on an
handouts which can be available at the reception desk. adult pet.
At pet selection interviews it is important to discuss all
the factors that can influence the choice of pet, and these
must include practical considerations of time and money as
Providing a behavioural advice service for breeders
well as emotional factors such as personal preferences.
Advice will not be limited to dogs and cats and considera- Much has been written about the responsibility of breeders
tion of other species should be encouraged if they are more with regard to the successful rearing of pets that are suited
suited to the person’s personal circumstances. However, for to life in a human context and yet the preventable behav-
the purpose of this book the option of only feline or canine iour problems, which prohibit these animals from integrat-
companions will be discussed. ing into society, remain at an unacceptable level. Education
Cats and dogs have different attributes to offer but is vital and the veterinary profession is well-placed to inter-
neither is any ‘easier’ to care for or any ‘less trouble’ than face with breeders and offer practical and relevant advice
the other. Ownership of either species brings with it very regarding breeding stock selection, early socialisation,
real responsibilities and one of the roles of the veterinary habituation, and selection of appropriate homes. The com-
practice is to make those responsibilities known to the mon aim of the breeder and veterinary practice should be
prospective owner. the production of emotionally stable puppies and kittens
Some of the main considerations for the prospective who can adapt to whatever lifestyle they are offered and
owner are as follows: can successfully coexist with their own and other species.
Veterinary practices are suitably placed to offer the neces-
● Breed : mixed breed or purebred
sary advice to achieve this aim, and working with breeders
● Sex : male, female, entire, neutered
in this area can be very rewarding.
● Age : adult, kitten, puppy
Providing preventive behavioural advice for the breeder
● Source : breeder (professional or private), rescue
will involve:
centre
Once a selection has been made the prospective owner ● studying the breeding programme and offering prac-
will need some guidelines in order to avoid the common tical advice on behaviour-based selection of breeding
pitfalls encountered when selecting a pet. stock
Advice sheets covering the most important considera- ● observing current housing and advising on its effects
tions for owners who are about to take on a puppy or kit- on the behaviour of breeding bitches and stud dogs
ten, or give a home to an adult dog or cat, can make and on the behavioural development of puppies
6 PRACTICE TIPS
Advice for prospective owners electing to take on a puppy or kitten.
Carefully consider the choice of pet. The species, breed, age and sex are all important. Be realistic in expectations concerning financial
and time commitments. Do not underestimate the work involved in caring for a new puppy or kitten.
Do not consider obtaining a kitten or puppy from a pet shop or from an outlet that claims to sell a range of different breeds which are not
connected in any logical manner.
Take the time to locate a reputable breeder or visit a reputable rescue organisation. If necessary be prepared to travel.
Ask to meet the dam and, if possible, the sire.
Spend time observing the litter at play and watching just how they interact.
Look for a litter where all of the puppies or kittens are outgoing and confident.
Observe the behaviour of other animals at the breeder’s premises, or visit owners of dogs and cats from previous litters, as this will give an
indication of the success of socialisation and habituation programmes carried out by the breeder.
Observe reactions to novel stimuli in their environment, such as a new toy, and to strange and unexpected sounds such as the gentle
rattling of car keys. In an ideal situation, the puppies or kittens should appear surprised but quickly recover and go to investigate.
Handle the puppies or kittens and see their reaction to strange people. The way in which a young animal responds to being handled and
examined gives a good indication of the success of socialisation.
Once you have selected a kitten or puppy, arrange to visit it as often as possible prior to collection in order to build up a relationship with
your new pet.
Do not be too impressed with immaculate and clinically clean premises if they are totally devoid of stimulation. Cleanliness is important,
but so too is habituation.
Figure 1.2 Advice for prospective owners electing to take on a puppy or kitten.
● assessing current rearing methods and offering advice tices also need to be involved in offering practical advice
on socialisation and habituation programmes. and support to owners who decide to have one-off litters
from family pets. This is more of an issue in a canine con-
These aims can be achieved through a variety of means
text since human control over breeding of domestic cats is
including:
often limited and the number of non-commercially reared
● Providing access to suitable literature through a prac-
pedigree cat litters is minimal. The provision of advice
tice library system
regarding the suitability of bitches for breeding is a very
● Preparing advice sheets for breeders on major issues
important area of behavioural problem prevention where
● Setting out socialisation and habituation programmes
veterinary practices can easily become involved. It is
for breeders
impossible to prevent someone from using an unsuitable
● Organising evening meetings with outside speakers
bitch for breeding, but many errors are made through
who are of particular interest to breeders.
ignorance (rather than deliberate irresponsibility) and
The major issues for most breeders are the selection of education of owners as to the heritable nature of fear-
breeding stock, the social and physical environment for related behaviour and the importance of using only emo-
rearing of puppies and kittens and the communication with tionally stable individuals in breeding programmes cannot
new owners to ensure the continuation of socialisation and be overemphasised.
habituation in the new home. Veterinary practices need to There are numerous opportunities to give advice about
be prepared to spend time getting alongside breeders and breeding programmes but vaccination appointments – both
understanding their criteria before being able to offer advice primary and booster – are particularly useful times to con-
which is tailor-made for that breeder and their specific cir- sider the issue of breeding. For owners of new puppies the
cumstances. The production of client information sheets prospect of allowing their bitch to give birth, or their dog to
with advice for breeders (Fig.1.3) is one way in which the have one taste of the good life and sire one litter may seem
subject of behavioural considerations in breeding establish- like the kindest thing to do, but practical considerations
ments can be raised. These can act as a springboard for regarding the responsibility of rearing and finding homes for
more in-depth conversations and the delivery of more a number of lively young pups may not have been made.
specific advice. By raising this subject at the time of the first vaccination
However, puppies and kittens are not only reared and and providing a client handout with guidelines for people
sold through commercial enterprises and veterinary prac- considering using their pet dogs for breeding (Fig.1.4), the
Providing a practical behavioural service 7
Advice for breeders.
When deciding on breeding programmes, temperament of both dam and sire need to be considered. This is especially relevant in feline
breeding where the paternal effect on the behavioural characteristic of boldness is well documented.
Once a litter has arrived ensure that the puppies and kittens become accustomed to being handled. Handling must take place in an
appropriate manner and it is important to take care not to distress the dam.

Gradually increase the amount of contact with people. Start with people known to the dam and gradually introduce less familiar people as
well as a wide range of individuals: old and young, male and female. Of course, it is essential that adequate precautions are taken at all times
to prevent introduction of disease.
Encourage new owners to come and visit their pet in the breeding environment as often as possible before they take it home.
Introduce the puppies and kittens to a wide range of environmental stimuli, including everyday household noises such as washing machines.
Ideally, there should be an opportunity for the puppies and kittens to experience home life as early as possible, even if it is only for a few
hours a few times a week. Where it is totally impossible to do so, use tape recordings of common sounds, such as children playing,
doorbells, vacuum cleaners and tumble driers, which can be played in the breeding area in those crucial early weeks.
Provide a wide range of stimulation through provision of species-appropriate toys and activities, as well as exposure to human-related stimuli.
Design breeding establishment buildings to take into account not only disease prevention and ease of management but also behavioural
considerations.
Inform prospective new owners of the importance of continuing the socialisation and habituation process in the new home.
Figure 1.3 Advice for breeders.
commitment involved, it is important for the veterinary
General guidelines for clients considering
using their pet dogs for breeding. practice to be on hand to offer advice and practical support.
Question the motivation for wanting a litter – only go ahead if the The most important considerations are:
motivations are clear, identifiable and justifiable.
● selection of dam and sire
Consider the issue of re-homing – is there a suitable and ● provision of appropriate health care
available market for the puppies? ● provision of suitable physical housing, which provides
for the five basic freedoms: freedom from thermal and
Remember that the sire will influence the behaviour of his pups
physical distress, freedom from pain and injury, freedom
even if he never meets them, and consider the temperament of
the stud dog as well as the bitch. from hunger and malnutrition, freedom from fear and
stress and freedom to express most normal behaviour
Carry out a small behavioural test on prospective breeding dogs
● provision of a social and emotional environment that
and bitches to determine their level of suitability for breeding.
supports the behavioural development of the puppies
Remember that it is not only the actual level of fear responses and kittens and maximises the emotional stability of the
that an individual exhibits that is significant but also the recovery animals reared
time when the fear-inducing stimulus is either removed or is
● establishment of a socialisation and habituation pro-
proven to be non-threatening.
gramme which is started at the breeder’s premises and is
Do not consider breeding from a nervous or aggressive bitch or then continued by the new owner in the new home. Tick
dog. chart checklists can easily be constructed by the practice
and distributed to breeders but the availability of com-
Be prepared for the phenomenal commitment involved in
providing a suitable physical, social and emotional environment mercially prepared socialisation and habituation check-
for the rearing of young puppies. lists for breeders of puppies and kittens makes this
unnecessary. Ideally one of the practice staff should be
Figure 1.4 General guidelines for clients considering using their
available to explain how these charts should be used, but
pet dogs for breeding.
booklets, which accompany these products, can be self-
explanatory.
veterinary practice can help to improve the level of thought
that is given to the subject and perhaps dissuade owners For those clients who are in the process of rearing
from breeding from pet bitches who are unsuitable for the littersof puppies or kittens, it is useful to provide guide-
purpose. lines as to the most important experiences for those
If clients are determined to go ahead with the breeding animals while they are still on the breeder’s premises
programme and they have given due consideration to the (Box1.1).
8 PRACTICE TIPS
Box 1.1 Important experiences for puppies and kittens Box 1.3 Examples of behavioural issues that need to be
while still on the breeder’s premises raised with new kitten owners
● Interaction with other dogs. The dam and littermates will ● Providing suitable introductions to people and other
be the first contacts and other dogs on the premises, animals
possibly including the sire, can also be incorporated into ● Accustoming the kitten to appropriate human handling
the socialisation programme. ● Providing a complex environment and introduction to a
● Introduction to people including men, women and variety of experiences
children. Varying appearances, clothing and activity ● Providing suitable litter facilities to facilitate litter
should be included in these introductions. training
● Auditory, visual and tactile stimulation. This can be ● Introducing suitable games and toys
provided through the use of toys and games, and by ● Teaching the kitten some basic behaviours such as
exposure to normal everyday human activities. coming when called
● Introduction to the concept of solitude. There should be ● Introducing the kitten to using a cat flap and wearing an
very short and controlled periods of being alone. appropriate collar
● Preventing specific behaviour problems such as indoor
scratching
The new owner
Socialisation and habituation
Once owners have acquired their new pet, the veterinary
practice has an essential role in providing preventive The importance of these two processes in the preparation of
behavioural advice. It is a good idea to advise clients on puppies and kittens for life in a domestic environment has
how to socialise and habituate their puppy or kitten suc- been highlighted over recent years and far more is now
cessfully as soon as they contact the practice, and while known about the effects of early-life experiences on future
they are at a very receptive stage in their relationship with behaviour.
their pet. It is important to emphasise that these vital The most sensitive period of behavioural development
processes can begin while the vaccination programme is in in terms of socialisation and habituation is from 2 to 7
progress and that a high percentage of behavioural prob- weeks in the kitten and from 4 to 14 weeks in the puppy
lems can be prevented if puppies, kittens, and young of (with particular emphasis on the period from 4 to 8 weeks).
other companion animal species are given the correct expe- It is important to understand that this is a sensitive period
riences early in life. However, socialisation and habituation rather than a critical one and therefore preferences can be
are not the only behavioural issues of interest to new own- formed and altered outside of these boundaries, but recep-
ers and veterinary practices are called on to give advice on tivity to socialisation and habituation is at its maximum at
topics ranging from house-training puppies to teaching kit- this stage of development and it is therefore advisable to
tens to use a cat flap and from teaching puppies to cope take advantage of this biological window of opportunity.
with being alone to introducing suitable forms of play The issue of socialisation and habituation has been most
between owner and cat (Boxes 1.2 and 1.3). widely publicised within the canine context but cats also
need to experience suitable socialisation and habituation if
they are to develop into family pets and respond to the
Box 1.2 Examples of behavioural issues that need to be ever-changing demands that are made of them in terms of
raised with new puppy owners their role as companion animals.
Socialisation: The process whereby an animal learns how
● Providing suitable introductions to people and other
to recognise and interact with its own species and the
animals
species with which it cohabits.
● Providing a complex environment and introduction to a
variety of experiences Kittens and puppies need to be introduced to a wide
● Introducing suitable toys and games range of people and other animals during their socialisa-
● Using successful house-training techniques tion period (Fig 1.5). In the case of kittens, it has been
● Reinforcing appropriate behaviours when greeting people shown that introduction to at least four different people is
and other dogs needed before there is a generalised acceptance of human
● Teaching basic obedience, including sit, stay and recall company, and it is recommended that these people repre-
● Preventing specific behaviour problems such as play sent a range of ages, sexes and appearances in order to
biting maximise the beneficial effects of the socialisation process.
● Introducing the puppy to the experience of being alone For the domestic cat, the aim is for them to be able to have a
mutually beneficial relationship with their owners and to
Providing a practical behavioural service 9
One of the main aims of the socialisation process is for
Recommended socialisation experiences. pet dogs and cats to be better-equipped to cope with life in
Meeting a variety of people: a human context and to be able to fulfil their owner’s
Men expectations of a companion animal. For the dog this is rel-
Women atively straightforward since it is a pack animal with an
Young people – babies, children, and teenagers
inbuilt desire for social interaction. It also has a hierarchical
Elderly people
Delivery people – milkman, postman structure to its society, which is not dissimilar to our own,
People of varying personal appearance – wearing glasses, and this enables it to integrate into human social structure
with and without a beard
relatively easily. In contrast, the cat comes from a very dif-
People in a variety of clothing – everyday clothes, uniforms,
ferent social background and has no ultimate need for
veterinary practice clothing
People with various modes of transport – walking, riding a physical interaction with its owners. It is a social animal
bicycle, on a skateboard, jogging, pushing a pram or but the basis of its social behaviour in the wild is the coop-
pushchair
erative rearing of young and, when it comes to ultimate
Meeting a variety of animals: individual survival, the cat is a solitary creature. These fun-
Cats damental differences in ethology have important implica-
Dogs
tions for the socialisation of kittens and, in order for
Livestock
domestic cats to appreciate and even value human com-
Horses
Small domestic pets, e.g., rabbits, guinea pigs, caged birds pany, they need exposure to social contact, which prepares
them for the expectations of their owners. One of those
When different species are being introduced, it is important to
expectations is close physical interaction and during the
remember the role of prey and predator and to avoid unnecessary
socialisation period kittens need to be lifted frequently,
stress for either species.
gently restrained and touched gently all over their bodies.
Figure 1.5 Recommended socialisation experiences. Such handling prepares them for the cuddling interaction
that many owners desire but which is totally alien to a
species in which flight is the primary form of defence and
be able to cope with the normal range of human visitors to the act of being restrained with all four feet off the floor is
the home and interact with them without fear. When social- inherently threatening.
ising puppies, it is important to remember that dogs need
Habituation: The process whereby an animal becomes
to cope not only with the family and their visitors but also
accustomed to non-threatening environmental stimuli and
with delivery people who approach the home and with the
learns to ignore them.
vast range of human appearances that they may encounter
when they are taken away from the home for exercise. It is Kittens and puppies need to be introduced to a variety of
therefore important to pay attention to varying appear- environments during their primary socialisation period
ances when implementing socialisation programmes for and also need to encounter those experiences that are part
puppies and to include people with beards, glasses, walk- and parcel of life in a domestic environment (Fig 1.6). For
ing sticks, people in wheelchairs and those carrying boxes the dog, habituation is particularly important because they
or other heavy loads. will encounter a wide range of environments and experi-
Recommended habituation experiences.
Introduction to a variety of environments Introduction to a variety of novel sounds
Veterinary clinic Aeroplanes
Other people’s houses Gunshots
Railway stations Fireworks
Bus stations Thunderstorms
Built-up areas Traffic
Rural areas Children and babies
Recreation areas, such as playgrounds and parks
Introduction to a variety of experiences
Highways
Grooming
Introduction to a variety of novel objects Exercise
Children’s accessories, including pushchairs, cots, highchairs, prams Veterinary examination
Household appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, tumble driers Going inside lifts and up and down escalators
Human toys, including bicycles, dolls, soft toys Travelling in a car and on public transport
Animal toys such as chew sticks, squeaky toys
Traffic
Figure 1.6 Recommended habituation experiences.