Animal behavior homework

pleasant visits to the veterinary office promote the establishment of trust and confidence in the pet as well as the client. learning how to read out patients, communicate with them better and handle them more skillfully will:

1. a. Increase safety for the hospital staff b. Increase our ability to treat patients and willingness of owners to bring in pets c. Increase overall efficiency by developing patients that willingly comply with procedures d. Build better relationships with clients and patients

list at least four reasons why this litter box would be unacceptable to most cats

1. a. Litter box is not clean b. Not in a private area c. To close to another litter box d. Could scare the cats

definition of: aggression

1. Aggression is a type of behavior that result in harm to the threatening stimuli

the reinforcement or punishment must occur as the behavior is occurring, within --- or before the next behavior occurs

10. Seconds

the person in this photo is reaching over the dog's head, facing the dog, and leaning over the dog. how may some dogs wrongly interpret these actions

12. Some dogs may take this as a fearful situation where the human is taking dominance over them and it could cause a fearful reaction.

how should the person have approached the dog to turn this into a nonthreatening greeting

13. a. Let the dog come to them b. Held up a hand so the dog could smell it c. Not face the dog directly

define dominance aggression and describe how it differs from the other types of aggression

14. Dominance aggression is aggression against other members of the social group to prevent subordinate individuals from performing actions that higher-ranking individuals perform. It is used mostly in dog packs with social hierarchies.

what behavior is the dog in this figure displaying

14. This dog is showing submissive behavior

what physical signs are often identified with this behavior

15. a. Low to the ground b. Tongue sticking out c. Ears lowered

define fear-related (defensive) aggression and describe how it differs from the other types of aggression

15. Fear related aggression is displayed when the dog perceives a threat. Most demonstrate fearful body postures. The dog will learn that these behaviors are effective and can make this type of aggression more like offensive aggression by demonstrating more offensive body postures.

define pain-related aggression and give an example of this type of aggression

16. Pain related aggression is aggression like fear related aggression but is because of discomfort, pain, or fear of pain such as a history of pain when the owners clean the ears. The dog may become aggressive toward the owner because it has hurt them in the past.

define redirected aggression and give an example

17. Redirected aggression is aggression toward a nearby stimulus that occurs when the animal is extremely upset because of another stimulus not as close to the attacked stimulus. An example of redirected aggression is when the dog bites its owner when the owner tries to intervene from a dog fight.

define play-related aggression

18. Play related aggression is behavior that mimics play, which is usually not actual aggression and like inappropriate play behavior that is directed toward humans.

define possessive aggression

19. Possessive aggression is aggression demonstrated in the presence of any highly valued resource used to prevent real or perceived attempts by others to access the resource.

1a. I believe the dog with its tail up and going nose to nose with the dog in front is the dog trying to assume the dominant role here. The dog in the front is more of a submissive role because even though he is standing nose to nose with the dog on the left, he is allowing the dog on the right to sniff his rear end.

1st picture. which of the dogs in this photo is exhibiting a dominant role? what is a typical behavior of a dog assuming a dominant role?

1b. Again, I believe the dog in the very front is in the submissive role because he is allowing the dog behind him to sniff his rear. The dog in front is nose to nose but he is below the first dog's head position and seems smaller in posture.

1st picture. which of the dogs in this photo is exhibiting a submissive role? what behavior is typical of a dog assuming a submissive role

definition of: defensive aggression

2. Aggression that stems from defensive behavior such as pain related or fear related aggression.

the use of a citronella anti bark collar such as this is an example of --- punishment

2. Positive punishment

what's the harm in wrangling patients or using force?

2. We could get bitten or scratched, we would be breaking our promise to do no harm, and pets can become behaviorally worse which could lead to aggression and then potentially euthanasia.

define anxiety, fear, and phobia, and describe the differences between them

20. Anxiety is anticipation of future or potential danger that leads to a physiologic response like that of fear. Fear is the feeling of apprehension experienced when an animal perceives that some nearby stimulus may be dangerous. Physiologic changes such as increased heart rate and blood pressure can be experienced with fear. A phobia is fear of a specific stimulus that is excessive and persistent. The response usually seems out of proportion to the threat. A phobia is an irrational fear, fear is being afraid of something, and anxiety is a response to both.

how do negative punishment and negative reinforcement differ

21. Negative punishment is the decrease in the frequency of a behavior because something pleasant is being taken away after the behavior happens. Negative reinforcement increases the frequency of a behavior because something unpleasant is taken away or avoided after that behavior.

how does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning

22. Operant conditioning is based on the principle that the consequences of a behavior will influence its frequency. Behaviors that result in pleasant outcomes will increase in frequency, whereas those that result in unpleasant outcomes will decrease. Classical conditioning is when the animal learns the association between events where one event predicts another event.

define continuous and intermittent reinforcement and explain how they are used in training an animal

24. Continuous reinforcement is when the reinforcement training does not stop for any reason, it is always consistent. Intermittent reinforcement is when the reinforcement training stops and begins again constantly. Continuous training is what will train the animal the best because it does not confuse the animal whereas intermittent will confuse the animal by showing it can do it one day and not the next, and then that cycle repeats itself.

young animals can be helped to become accustomed to procedures like toenail trims, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing by a process called habituation. why is habituation important

26. Habituation means that an animal should be exposed frequently, and in a nonthreatening manner, to gentle handling that mimics commonly performed procedures. Habituation is important because it can make those procedures less stressful on the pet when it comes time do to those procedures.

there are only three medications that are FDA approved for use in dogs with behavior problems. what is the trade name and generic name of each of them

27. a. Clomicalm (clomipramine) b. Reconcile (fluoxetine) c. Anipryl (selegiline)

what are three of the most common behaviors seen in a dog with separation anxiety

28. a. House soiling b. Destructive behavior c. Vocalizing

definition of: offensive aggression

3. Aggression that stems from offensive behavior such as dominance aggression

what other citronella oil product on the market can be used to this type of punishment

3. Citronella spray

as veterinary professionals, if we dont recognize and address fear and bad behaviors, what can happen?

3. If we don't recognize the warning signs of fear and bad behaviors we would be very open to putting ourselves in harm's way.

definition of: agonistic behaviors

4. Fighting behavior

what do we have to do from moving from a "cave-man" style of handling to a "low stress" style?

4. The biggest thing from moving away from "Cave man" style handling is less scruffing, the "more is less" type of holding, and the giving more treats rather than just holding the pet down. Trying to make the environment and restraint as least stressful as possible is the goal.

----- % of dog owners complain that their dogs have behavior problems

5. 90%

definition of: anthropomorphism

5. Giving animals human qualities

--- % of dogs and --- % of cats end up in shelters because of behavioral issues

6. 28%, 19%

definition of: classical conditioning

6. Also known as respondent conditioning, the animal learns the association between events - one event (the conditioned stimulus) predicts another (the unconditioned stimulus)

what are the developmental stages and ages

7. a. Neonatal period (birth - 14 days) b. Transition period (10-16 days) c. Socialization period (4-14 weeks) d. Juvenile period (up to 6 months) e. Adult (6 months and up)

definition of: operant conditioning

7. Also known as instrumental conditioning; based on the principle that the consequences of a behavior will influence its frequency; known as the Thorndike law of effect. Behaviors that result in pleasant outcomes will increase in frequency, whereas those that result in unpleasant outcomes will decrease

definition of: socialization

8. The process by which an animal develops appropriate social behaviors toward members of its own and other species. The process of socialization requires providing to the young animal pleasant experiences with people, situations, inanimate elements of the environment, and other animals.

how do we (humans) establish leadership

9. a. Set clear rules for behavior b. Communicate the rules c. Consistently reward these desirable behaviors and remove rewards for undesirable behaviors

how does age of the patient influence the success of habituation

Pets of a younger age are easier to be habituated but animals of any age can do so. It will take longer in older animals so doing them as babies is best.

how do positive reinforcement and positive punishment differ

Positive punishment is a decrease in the frequency of behavior because of something pleasant that is added after a behavior is performed. Positive reinforcement is an increase in the frequency of a behavior because of something pleasant that is added after the behavior is performed.

name 13 signs of fear and anxiety

a. Cowering b. Head down, ears back or out to the sides and brows furrowed c. Panting, yawning, licking lips d. Salivation, urination, defecation e. Looks sleepy or moves in slow motion f. Performs commanded behaviors in a distracted manner g. Hypervigilant - scanning for danger h. Sweaty paws i. Shedding j. Shaking as if drying off from a bath k. Displacement behaviors such as itching, sniffing, and looking distracted l. Trembling m. Muscles tense

what are the parts of the five step positive pro-action plan for preventing behavior problems

a. Elicit and reinforce appropriate behavior b. Prevent or minimize inappropriate behavior c. Meet your pet's behavioral and developmental needs d. Use the "Take away" method (negative punishment) to discourage inappropriate behavior e. Minimize discipline (positive punishment), and use it correctly when necessary

cheek and tail rubbing in cats are two examples of these

affiliative behaviors

this emotional response leads to a physiologic response similar to that of fear

anxiety

occurs when an individual is motivated to perform two opposing behaviors

conflict

a superior position in a rank order or social heirarchy

dominant role

5. This cat seems more relaxed than aggressive. I believe this because the ears are forward, and eyes are big and attentive to the stimuli in front of him. He does not seem threatened or ready to run away.

is this cat relaxed or aggressive? how do you know

6. This cat just looks very angry to begin with, so I am thinking aggressive. He has furrowed brows and his ears are directed toward the sides. He seems like he looks a little comfortable where he is sitting but also looks like he is ready to be on the move the moment something happens.

is this cat relaxed or aggressive? how do you know

. This dog is exhibiting what I believe to be is fear-related aggression. The teeth are bare, lips pulled back, eyes are wide, and the ears are flat against the head.

is this dog exhibiting fear-related aggression or dominance aggression? how do you know

2. I believe this dog is exhibiting play related behavior because he is in the classic bowing stance. He does not seem to be aggressive, but it could be mistaken for it. This dog doesn't have a snarled face and if I was there with him, I would assume he would want to play.

last picture. what behavior is this dog exhibiting? how do you know?

having given birth more than one time

multiparous

subtracting something

negative

something pleasant is taken away after behavior

negative punishment

something unpleasant is taken away or avoided following a behavior

negative reinforcment

a fear of thunder is an example of this

phobia

adding something

positive

something unpleasant is added following a behavior

positive punishment

something pleasant is added after a behavior

positive reinforcement

having given birth only one time or being pregnant for the first time

primiparous

decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur

punishment

occurs when an animal is highly motivated to perform a particular behavior but is for some reason prevented from doing so

redirected behavior

increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur

reinforcement

a wolf pack will form this, but free-ranging dogs generally do not

social hierarchy

providing a puppy with pleasant experiences with people, situations, and other animals

socialization

may lead to weight loss, changes in the white blood cell counts, and decreased immunity to disease

stress

a dog that is acting as if it is sorry for its actions is exhibiting this

submissive behaviors

a lower position in a rank order or social heirarchy

subordinate role

a. Playful behavior b. Tired c. Bored d. Itchy back e. Rolling in a scent f. Happy

what are some other behaviors besides rolling over that this dog might display for this behavior

10. Fear aggression

what behavior is the dog in this figure displaying

8. Dominance aggression

what behavior is the dog in this figure displaying

6. This cat is displaying fear aggression

what behavior is this cat displaying

3. This type of behavior looks like possessive aggression. He looks as if he is protecting his food bowl from an approaching threat. He has his head lowered with his lips pulled back, showing all his teeth with his ears pulled back against his head. He has a very rigid posture with his tail straight out.

what behavior is this dog exhibiting? how do you know?

11. a. Ears flat back against head b. Lips curled c. Piloerection d. Tail tucked, back hunched e. Showing teeth f. Closer to the ground than normal standing

what physical signs indicate this

9. a. Ears forward b. Tail up c. Piloerection d. Furrowed brow e. Showing teeth f. Lips curled g. Looks like he is walking toward the stimulus

what physical signs indicate this

7. a. Ears pinned back b. Furrowed brow c. Tail tucked, back hunched, piloerection d. Showing teeth

what physical signs led you to this conclusion

4. This dog is displaying submissive behavior

what type of behavior is this dog displaying

how does this behavior differ from fearful behavior

• Fearful behavior would probably be more of him hissing and spitting and backing away from the stimulus scaring him. His ears might be flat back against the head and he might be a little less relaxed in his body posture.

how would you habituate a puppy to having its nails trimmed

• Habituation for a puppy getting a toe nail trim is to rub the puppy's feet gently while in a relaxing environment a couple times a day for as long as the puppy will let you. Eventually, when doing the toe nail trim for real, give the puppy a treat after the procedure.