Welcome to Napoleon Veterinary Clinic Behavior Site.
In our everyday lives, pets have become part of our family. However, just like any relationship, communication can become difficult. Since animals and humans don't speak the same language, it becomes difficult for us to tell our pets that their normal behaviors, such as barking or scratching are not acceptable in our homes. For this reason, Dr. Terri Fedderke is available at our clinic for Behavior Consultations. Dr. Fedderke studied behavior medicine her senior year of veterinary school and has completed numerous hours of continuing education in this field. If you feel that you and your pet would benefit from talking with Dr. Fedderke, please contact our office for an appointment.
NORMAL BEHAVIOR MAY BE A PROBLEM
THE GENTLE LEADER PROMISE COLLAR
NORMAL BEHAVIOR MAY BE A PROBLEM
Do you go on family outings and take "Fido" with you? Have you recently had your family picture taken only to include "Fluffy" sitting next to brother Bill? On a chilly night, do you allow "Boots" under the covers so that she can keep warm? Years ago such behaviors were not as common as they are today. Pets were creatures kept outdoors to minimize the mice population and deter strangers. Through the years, however, as society has changed, our thoughts have also changed on how pets should be treated. Unfortunately, when we bring Callie or Patches in from the outside, we not only bring in their warmth and affection, but also some other behaviors not so pleasing to most humans.
In America, cats have become the most popular pets in our homes. The more cats there are, however, the more behavior problems we see. Spraying is very common among intact males. This is a normal behavior that allows them to mark their territory. Unfortunately, this is a very displeasing behavior among homeowners. The strong smell of the urine is very unpleasant and unwanted in our homes. However, if this behavior is addressed early in the cat's life, we have a better chance of eliminating it.
Other normal behaviors in cats that are not accepted in our homes are activities such as scratching, clawing, biting and hunting. These behaviors can be curbed with proper behavior modification. Even the cat that has stopped using the litter box after years of regular use may either have a medical reason for doing so such as a urinary tract infection or a behavioral reason. Again, behavior modifications may help these cats.
Another animal that shares our hearts and homes is the dog. In the wild, dogs live in packs or groups. Within each group, a social structure exists dictating to each dog where they fit in within that group. Members of the pack achieve their ranking and dominance through aggressive behavior. Although domesticated dogs do not live in packs, the instinct to use aggressive behavior to become dominant within their living environment may still be strong in some dogs. This can lead to dominate dogs in our households and potential dog bites to family members. Although normal, this behavior is not acceptable in standard homes especially if children live there.
Other normal dog behaviors may be abnormal in our homes. Such behaviors include barking, chewing, scratching, digging, etc. Many of these behaviors can be changed with proper education to the owner.
Many animals are put to sleep because of behavior problems, some of which have been described here. In fact, pet-behavior problems account for more euthanasias than any medical condition. Many other pets are either abandoned or dropped off at animal shelters because owners just can not tolerate their behaviors any more. At times, more than 70% of these animals are put down because there are not enough homes.
Although behavior therapy for your pet may sound silly, it is becoming very popular. Only after humans and animals learn to talk the same language will many of our problems go away. Until then, talking with someone who is trained in animal behavior can help reduce a lot of stress and unwanted problems. Realize that if you stop Fuzzy, the best cat you have ever owned, from scratching up your furniture, or Rex, your loyal companion, from destroying your flower garden, how much more wonderful your lives together may be. If you curb these behaviors early in your pet's life, the years of happiness can be many. Especially, if you own a young dog that likes to nip, proper behavior modification early in life may prevent a serious bite later. No problem is too small nor is it too early to start. Actually, cats and dogs are socialized early in life and that determines their personalities as adults. Being so, many behaviors are not outgrown, making early intervention essential for a long and happy relationship between you and your pet.
If you feel that one of your pets may benefit from a consultation, call our office. Dr. Terri Fedderke studied behavior medicine while in veterinary school and has completed many hours of continuing education in this field within the past three years. Her training has been a benefit to many patients and owners. For more information or to set up an appointment to discuss any behavior problem, call our office at 592-6876.
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The Gentle Leader Promise Collar
There are many different behavior problems that may arise from owning a dog. Many of these problems need to be addressed and treated in order for everyone involved, including the dog, to live together peacefully. One such example is in families where the dog is the leader, it's only a matter of time before a challenge to the dog results in a disaster like a dog bite. Another example is where family members can not walk their dog without themselves being pulled down the road. Behavior problems do not just go away, either. So millions of people park the dog in a far corner of the back yard, tied to a chain, or casually drop off their dog in the country, where they think some farmer will take in the poor animal. Still others take the dog to the shelter. A large percentage of the animals in most shelters are euthanized within days.One alternative to behavior modification is the gentle leader promise collar. The promise system is a double collar, with one loop around the neck, and another around the snout. It looks like, and works like a halter used to train a horse. Pull on the lead attached to the control ring, and you have complete control over the dog's head. The theory is that if you control the head, you control the body. The promise system is much more humane than any other training system. It gently guides the dog to follow instructions. There is no choice in the matter for the dog, so the dog obeys. Reinforcement is positive without yelling, tugging or choking. One of the benefits of the promise system is that when you make a correction, it is with a very gentle pull on the lead. This pull automatically turns the dog's head toward you, giving you the dog's attention. With many dogs, maintaining attention is one key to maintaining control. The halter also works with the dog's instincts. Dogs tend to pull against pressure. If your dog is wearing a regular collar and leash, or even a choke style training collar, he will pull forward as you pull back, leading him to gag and choke. You are not in control, and your dog is coughing and sputtering. Attention is lost, and the lesson is a failure. The promise system can be used to teach your dog all of the basic obedience commands: sit, stay, come, heel and down. It also can be used to control unwanted habits such as digging, jumping, barking, begging, chewing, stealing, and general unruliness at home, on the street and in the veterinarians office. Techniques for working on all of these behaviors is in the comprehensive manual included with the promise system. If you are interested in further information on this collar, please contact our office for an appointment.
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Feline housesoiling is a common problem. It is a condition where the family cat stops using his or her litter box. It can result in the cat's demise when the frustrated owner feels the problem cannot be resolved.
The reasons why a cat might eliminate away from the litter box are numerous. If the cat abruptly starts urinating and defecating outside the box, there is probably something wrong. The number one reason why a cat may stop using the litter box is medical, not behavioral. Since there are a variety of medical problems that can lead to housesoiling, it is important that all possible medical causes be ruled out at the start. If this step is neglected, attempts to guide a cat with a medical problem back to the litter box will likely be doomed to failure.
Litter box avoidance is often the first sign of a cat with a lower urinary tract disorder. It is likely that the pain associated with urinating deters the cat from wanting to use its box. Instead, the animal will seek other places to do its duty trying to avoid the discomfort that it associates from the box. Excessive urinations due to conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes may result in a litter box that is constantly soaked and unacceptable to the pet. Diarrhea, constipation and colitis are other problems that can result in discomfort during the act of elimination and cause litter box avoidance.
Spraying is another reason why a cat may not use a litter box. Spraying is a normal marking behavior in which the cat backs up to a vertical surface and directs a stream of urine toward it. The amount of urine deposited is usually smaller than when a cat empties its bladder during normal urination. This behavior is typically used by the cat to delineate its territory. It often occurs when the pet perceives its domain has been invaded, or during stressful situations. Unneutered males and females in estrus are most likely to spray, although 10% of castrated males and 5% of spayed females may spray on occasion.
Other reasons that may abruptly cause a cat to stop using a litter box may be the accumulation of waste, strong disinfectant odors or an unacceptable litter. The box may have been moved to an area with high traffic or the cat may have been disciplined, medicated or frightened near the box. Harsh punishments for any reason might cause the cat to eliminate in secluded areas in order to avoid family members.
Most owners use punishment in an attempt to change the pet’s behavior. This approach is rarely effective and often makes the situation worse. This is especially true if it is harsh or delayed, or when anxiety is an important factor in the development of the problem. No matter what the circumstances might be, the cat should never be swatted or physically punished. The owner should be cautioned against rubbing the cat’s nose in the mess or roughly handling it and placing it in the litter box. If the pet is caught eliminating in an inappropriate area, the owner can squirt it with a water gun or make a noise just loud enough to gently interrupt it. An attempt should be made to do this without the cat being aware that the owner is giving the correction.
The initial step is to find out first if there is a medical reason why the cat is not using the litter box. This can be accomplished with proper diagnostic testing at your veterinarian’s office. After all medical reasons have been ruled out, only then can the cat be diagnosed and treated for a behavioral problem.
There are many steps that can be taken if there truly is a behavioral reason why your cat has stopped using his or her box. To discuss these steps, contact your local veterinarian for an appointment.
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