Page 269 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

115.e6 Behavioral Problem Prevention, Puppies

○ Clients should not to use hands to hit or • Attendance at appropriately run positive- Godbout M, et al: Excessive mouthing in puppies
push the puppy away because pups may reinforcement puppy classes helps puppies as a predictor of aggressiveness in adult dogs. J Vet
Behav Clin Appl Res 6:93, 2011.
VetBooks.ir ○ If the behavior does not resolve or if it help clients understand their dog’s behavior Hammerle M, et al: AAHA canine and feline behavior
to behave politely in society. Classes also
bite back and interpret this as a game.
management guidelines. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc
worsens, seek help from a veterinary
and to have realistic expectations of their
51:205-220, 2015.
dog.
behavioral specialist.
• Barking: discussed separately • Behavioral disorders can be recognized at first Landsberg G, et al: Handbook of behavior problems
of the dog and cat, St. Louis, 2012, Saunders.
puppy visit, allowing for early intervention. Overall KL: Manual of clinical behavioral medicine
Recommended Monitoring for dogs and cats, St. Louis, 2013, Elsevier.
Weekly telephone contact to monitor progress Technician Tips
and troubleshoot for the first few months is • Regular contact with clients will increase RELATED CLIENT EDUCATION
helpful. their compliance, and calling to check up SHEETS
on puppies builds good will.
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME • Participation in puppy classes can build client Castration (Routine): Considerations and
trust and confidence. Planning
New-puppy clients are open to learning about • Make sure that well-puppy visits are as Consent to Perform Castration, Canine
their puppy’s development. Encourage ques- enjoyable and stress free for the puppy as is Consent to Perform Ovariohysterectomy (Spay),
tions, ask about behavior, and view photos/ possible. Canine
videos with clients to discuss body language. Consent to Perform Microchip Implantation
Client Education How to Puppy-Proof a Home
PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS Exposing puppies to many stimuli in a manner Ovariohysterectomy (Routine): Considerations
in which they are not distressed or can easily and Planning
Comments overcome their distress maximizes their chances
• Educate clients that rewarding appropriate to grow into well-behaved members of their AUTHOR: Kersti Seksel, BVSc, MA, DACVBM,
behaviors while redirecting inappropriate or households and society. DECAWBM
unacceptable behaviors is the best way to EDITOR: Karen L. Overall, VMD, MA, PhD, DACVB
manage potential problem behaviors. SUGGESTED READING
• Anxiety can be recognized in puppies at their Brammeier S, et al: Good trainers: how to identify
first veterinary visit. one and why this is important to your practice of
• If behavior problems persist, refer to a veterinary medicine. J Vet Behav Clin Appl Res
veterinary behavioral specialist early in 1:47-52, 2006.
development. Most dogs do not grow out
of problems, but instead problems can ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
become worse with time. READINGS
Prevention Godbout M, et al: Puppy behavior at the veterinary
clinic: a pilot study. J Vet Behav Clin Appl Res
• Offer pre–pet selection advice, especially 2:126-135, 2007.
pertaining to breed personality, size, groom-
ing, and exercise needs.

www.ExpertConsult.com