Common Sense Behavior Modification

Horwitz, Debra F.; Pike, Amy L.

doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.01.009

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Current research places emphasis on reward-based methods over positive punishment-based training [9, 30], the importance of the role of veterinary professionals in directly providing, or signposting clients to services such as puppy socialisation classes, and educated and informed advice to clients seeking help with behaviour problems in their dogs [15, 30, 33]. With the persistence in some circles of dominance theory-based methods, it is imperative that PVPs be knowledgeable on best practice approaches to behaviour problems and recognise when and to whom to refer training or a behaviour problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to this many considered aggressive behaviour to be derived from a dog’s desire to be ‘dominant’ and establish its place in the hierarchy (e.g. Jones-Baade & McBride [ 16 ]); this premise was applied to humans’ relationships with dogs and formed the commonly-used basis for approaching behaviour problems in dogs [ 15 ]. Dominance theory has since been called into question, as the studies used to support it observed aggressive interactions between unrelated captive wolves, with further studies on naturally-assembled wild wolf packs failing to show the same level of aggressive interactions [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the understanding of best practice approaches to common dog behaviour problems by veterinary professionals in Ireland

2019

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BackgroundCompanion animal behaviour problems significantly impact companion animal (and owner) welfare. Veterinary behavioural medicine (VBM) is an emerging discipline and aims to provide evidence-based advice to owners and veterinary professionals to support normal behaviour in companion animals through appropriate socialisation and training and to address behaviour problems in a constructive and welfare-friendly manner. The approach to problem behaviours in dogs has changed in recent years; previously a mis-understanding of the biological theory of dominance has been used to explain certain behavioural problems in dogs which has led to the use of punishment-based treatment methods. Current research advocates the benefits of reward-based methods and highlights the risks of implementing positive punishment-based training techniques to both dogs and owners. Golden and Hanlon (Ir Vet J 71: 12, 2018) have reported that veterinary professionals in Ireland are frequently asked to advise on dog behaviour problems. This study aimed to explore veterinary professionals’ understanding of training and treatment options for frequently encountered dog behaviour problems, and to help support the development of competences in VBM in Ireland.MethodsAn online survey was developed, including a pre-test evaluation by a pilot group of veterinary professionals, on SurveyMonkey®. The link to the online survey was distributed via third-party professional associations and social media. The survey contained twelve vignettes illustrating advice from veterinary professionals on common behaviour scenarios. Using a Likert Scale, respondents were asked to assess the likelihood of the advice to support best outcome for the dog. Best outcome was defined as one which provides a resolution to the behavioural problem while not compromising the animal’s welfare.Results84 private veterinary practitioners (PVP) and 133 veterinary nurses (VN) completed the survey. In the majority of vignettes, most veterinary professionals agreed with our classification of best outcome, but several areas of uncertainty were identified. Marked variations in response were found for PVPs in vignettes depicting advice recommending citronella collars, invisible radio fences, trainers utilising dominance language, and another dog for separation anxiety. For VNs, variations in response were found in vignettes depicting dominance-based training and advice on separation anxiety. Significant differences were found in the responses of VNs and PVPs for the vignettes recommending the use of citronella collars (p < 0.01) and invisible radio fences (p < 0.05), where VNs agreed with their recommendation less often than PVPs. PVPs graduating since 2013 agreed with the recommendation of invisible radio fences less often than PVPs graduating before 2013 (p < 0.05). VNs graduating before 2013 agreed with the recommendation of an accredited trainer (p < 0.05) and disagreed with the use of flooding to treat fear (p < 0.05) more often than VNs graduating since 2013.ConclusionsOur findings h...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the understanding of best practice approaches to common dog behaviour problems by veterinary professionals in Ireland

2019

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“…This is also confirmed by the owners’ own perceptions: Counterconditioning (defined in the questionnaire as “for example, giving a treat or playing with the dog after a noise has occurred”) was considered to be effective by 70.8% of those who had tried this technique. It is commonly believed that desensitization/ counterconditioning can only be successful in achieving a lasting emotional/ behavioral change if pets are kept under their threshold or tolerance level (Horwitz and Pike, 2014, but see a critical evaluation of this assumption in Klein, 1969; Wilson and Davison, 1971). While this would clearly be the ideal approach, the results of the current study indicate that even ad-hoc, non-systematic, counterconditioning in everyday life (such as giving a treat, playing with the dog or celebrating a little ‘party’) whenever a loud noise occurs, as well as during firework events, can contribute to an improvement of firework fears in dogs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs

Riemer

2019

Preprint

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AbstractAn online questionnaire survey investigated (1) management and (2) treatment methods for firework fears in dogs employed by dog owners and their (perceived) effectiveness. A PCA on data from 1225 respondents revealed four management strategies (i.e. interventions during firework exposure): the principal components “Environmental modification” (e.g. providing a hiding place, keeping windows and blinds closed, and playing music), “Feed/Play” (providing the dog with chews, play and food during fireworks in general, as well as contingent on loud bangs), “Alternative” (use of calming nutraceuticals, pheromones, herbal products, homeopathic products, Bach flowers, and essential oils) and “Interaction” (allowing body contact, petting and talking to the dog when loud bangs occurred). To explore possible effects of these management methods on fear development, the components were correlated with a score for fear progression. Of the four components, only “Feed/Play” was statistically associated with an improvement in fear responses to fireworks. To evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment strategies, owners were asked to select from a range of options which interventions they had used and whether they considered them as effective. With prescription medication (N=202), improvements were noted by 69% of owners, with high success rates reported for the most frequently prescribed drugs, alprazolam (91%) and Sileo® (74%). While individual products were not evaluated, the reported success rates for the categories “pheromones” (N=316), “herbal products” (N=282), “nutraceuticals” (N=211), “essential oils” (N=183), “homeopathic remedies” (N=250) and “Bach flowers” (N=281) were all in the range of 27-35%, which is not higher than would be expected based on a placebo effect. Pressure vests were deemed as effective by 44% of respondents (N=300). Counterconditioning (providing desirable stimuli after the occurrence of noises) was the most successful training technique according to the owners (N=694), with a reported effectiveness of over 70%. Relaxation training (N=433) was reported to be almost as successful at 69%, while noise CDs (N=377) were effective in 55% of cases. Thus, counterconditioning, relaxation training and anxiolytic medication appear to be the most effective strategies in the treatment of firework fears in dogs. On this basis it is recommended that ad-hoc counterconditioning and relaxation training should complement the standard behavioral technique of desensitization/ counterconditioning with noise recordings.HighlightsAn online survey on treatment options for firework fears in dogs was performedFeeding or playing with dogs during fireworks was associated with fear improvementSuccess was highest for ad-hoc counterconditioning, relaxation training and medicationSuccess was similar for pheromones, nutraceuticals and other alternative productsSuccess rates for these alternative products are consistent with a placebo effect

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Developing a Plan to Treat Behavior Disorders

Demontigny-Bédard

Frank

2018

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice

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Common Sense Behavior Modification

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Exploring the understanding of best practice approaches to common dog behaviour problems by veterinary professionals in Ireland

Exploring the understanding of best practice approaches to common dog behaviour problems by veterinary professionals in Ireland

Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs

Developing a Plan to Treat Behavior Disorders

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