CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
When The Behavior Helpline Can't Help
Copyright
Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the
The
volunteers who staff our Behavior Helpline have completed an extensive training
program taught by animal behavior professionals. We are able to assist pet
owners with many types of animal behavior problems; however, there are some
problems we can’t resolve over the phone because it isn’t safe or accurate to diagnose
certain behavioral problems without observing the animal’s postures and
reactions to certain stimuli.
Aggression
There
are many reasons an animal may behave aggressively, including fear, dominance,
food or object possessiveness, territorial behavior or protective behavior.
It’s necessary to obtain a complete behavioral history through detailed
information gathering and direct observation of the animal in his own
environment, before a diagnosis and recommendations can be made. This can’t be
accomplished over the phone, however, we can provide detailed handouts
explaining the causes of aggression and procedures that should be avoided
because they may make the problem worse. An animal that threatens another
animal or human by growling, hissing, baring his teeth, snapping or biting,
presents a danger to others.
The
first step is to have a veterinarian examine your pet to evaluate him for
possible medical reasons for the aggressive behavior. If it’s not a medical
problem, you should seek the services of an animal behavior specialist. If a
professional animal behaviorist can’t help, it may be best for all concerned to
have your pet humanely euthanized. You may either have your own veterinarian
euthanize your pet, or you may surrender him to an animal shelter. If you
choose to surrender your pet to a shelter, please relate all the information
you have about his behavior.
Phobias
Some
animals, usually dogs, may develop intense, irrational fears, including fear of
thunderstorms, firecrackers and other loud noises. Many phobias can be
successfully treated using a combination of behavior modification and
short-term drug therapy prescribed by a veterinarian. This type of treatment
cannot be administered over the telephone. We do have several handouts that
explain these problems and the types of behavior modification procedures used
to work with them. If your pet exhibits this type of behavior, you should contact
your veterinarian for information about medication and for a referral to an
animal behavior specialist.
Excessive
Grooming
Dogs
and cats will sometimes lick themselves excessively until skin sores form, or
will pull patches of hair from their bodies. Treatment often involves a
combination of drug therapy and behavior modification that can only be obtained
through your veterinarian and an animal behavior specialist.
Finding
Professional Help
When
an individual case is too complex to analyze and resolve over the telephone,
you should seek help from a veterinarian and an animal behavior specialist,
however, knowing where to turn can be confusing. People who work with animal
behavior problems are not regulated by any government agency and may have very different
types of qualifications.
·
Veterinarian: When
your pet has a problem, your first call should always be to your veterinarian.
Urinary tract infections, hormone imbalances, neurological conditions, genetic
abnormalities, orthopedic problems and dental disease are just a few examples
of medical problems that can influence your pet’s behavior. Ask your
veterinarian if he has received any specific training in animal behavior, and
if not, ask him if he can refer you to an animal behavior specialist.
·
Certified Applied
Animal Behaviorist: Animal behavior is a specialized field
of scientific study. In order to become a certified applied animal behaviorist,
an individual must have specialized training in behavior problems in companion
animals. The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) grants certification to behaviorists
who are academically trained, have experience in the field and meet the ethical
standards of the ABS. People who’ve worked with or trained animals for many
years, aren’t animal behaviorists unless they’ve received specialized academic
training.
·
Animal Trainer: Some
animal trainers are self-taught, and some may have apprenticed under another trainer
and/or attended various training seminars. Animal trainers don’t usually have
specialized academic training in the study of animal behavior. Good animal
trainers are knowledgeable about different types of training methods that focus
primarily on reinforcing good behavior and use punishment sparingly, appropriately,
humanely or not at all. Innapropriate use of correction collars, including
using chokers to lift dogs off the ground and "string them up,"
aren’t appropriate or humane training methods and may cause injury to your dog.
" Dog obedience classes
are an excellent way to develop a good relationship with your dog and gain more
control over him by teaching him to respond reliably to specific commands.
However, resolving behavior problems, such as housesoiling, barking, aggression
or separation anxiety requires more than teaching your dog commands. Specific
behavior modification techniques must also be used. Some animal trainers also
offer behavior consulting services. " Ask
the trainer what methods they use and how they were trained. Go to a class, and
if you observe techniques you’re not comfortable with, find another trainer.
Dog obedience instructors can be endorsed by the National Association of Dog
Obedience Instructors (NADOI). Endorsement indicates that instructors have been
approved by their peers and use humane methods of training. If the trainer is
endorsed by another organization, ask about the criteria for endorsement.
Things
To Watch For And Avoid
·
People who guarantee
their work: Qualified behaviorists and trainers will
always do their best for you, but cannot guarantee outcomes, because animals
have minds of their own, and can never be completely controlled by humans.
·
People whose primary
methods focus on punishment: If their
recommendations involve choking, hitting or slapping your pet, confinement or
isolation, this indicates little or no understanding of animal behavior.
·
People who misrepresent
their qualifications: People who call
themselves animal behaviorists, even though they’re not academically trained in
animal behavior.
·
People who want to
train your pet for you: Most behavior problems
are a result of interactions between the animal, the owner and the environment.
Giving your pet to someone else to "fix" the problem is rarely successful
because these three elements aren’t addressed. Owners need to work with the
animal in the home environment.
If
you’re committed to working with your pet, and find qualified people to help you,
the chances are good that you’ll successfully resolve your pet’s problem
behaviors.