Prevention Is the Best Medicine

week 9

What is the primary goal of companion animal behaviour?

To promote, support, and protect the human–animal bond.

What physiological benefits occur during human–animal interactions?

Reduced HR/BP, lower cortisol, increased oxytocin, beta-endorphin, prolactin, phenylacetic acid, dopamine.

What is an assistance/service dog?

A dog trained to perform tasks/work for a person with a disability.

Give examples of service dog tasks.

Alerting to seizures, guiding the blind, alerting those who are deaf.

What is easier—preventing or treating behaviour problems?

Prevention.

What are the components of prevention?

Proper pet selection, meeting animal needs, understanding learning, consistent structure.

What is the sequence leading to trust?

Rules → Structure → Consistency → Reliability → Predictability → Trust.

Are dogs and cats moral?

No—they lack a concept of right/wrong.

What causes “guilty” behaviour in pets?

Response to human cues, not understanding wrongdoing.

How do dogs learn undesirable behaviours?

Through owner reactions and inconsistent reinforcement.

What three major things keep dogs happy?

Curiosity (exploration), olfactory stimulation, socialization.

What is the critical socialization window?

3–12 weeks.

What are goals of socialization?

Develop social skills, comfort with novelty, positive experiences.

Why crate train early?

Provides safe space, prevents unwanted behaviours, aids housetraining.

How large should a crate be?

Big enough for the puppy to stand, turn, stretch, lie down.

What surfaces do dogs naturally prefer for elimination?

Porous surfaces (grass, carpet, bedding).

Why is punishment ineffective in housetraining?

Teaches dogs not to eliminate in front of people.

How long can a puppy hold its bladder?

1 hour + age in months (when inactive).

How do you prevent separation anxiety?

Gradual alone time from day 1; reward calm behaviour; special treat only when alone.

Should owners reinforce anxious behaviour?

No—ignore anxious attention-seeking.

When is the window to prevent noise phobias?

10–18 weeks.

What methods help?

Desensitization soundtracks, exposure to normal environmental noises.

How should dogs learn handling?

By associating touch with treats.

How do you prevent resource guarding?

Teach “trade-up” so giving up items is rewarding.

Why is puppy food aggression a “red flag”?

Predicts human-directed aggression later in life.

What behaviour benefits come from spaying?

Eliminates maternal aggression; estrus-related aggression.

Behaviour benefits of neutering?

↓ roaming (90%), ↓ marking (50%), ↓ mounting (67%), ↓ testosterone.

What factors should owners consider when selecting a pet?

Expectations, experience, lifestyle, family ages, breed characteristics.

Socialization with dogs occurs when?

3–8 weeks.

Socialization with people?

5–12 weeks.

Exposure to novel stimuli?

10–18 weeks.

When is social maturity?

1.5–3 years.

What should owners know at 8 weeks?

Puppies learn rapidly; individual differences; owners can reinforce undesirable behaviour; begin manners and socialization.

What should owners know at 12 weeks?

Importance of avoiding miscommunication; puppy classes; rule structure; bite inhibition; exposure to novelty.

What is the purpose of rule structure?

Establish consistency and predictability → trust.

What is “Nothing in Life Is Free”?

Dog performs a behaviour before receiving resources.

What should owners focus on at 16 weeks?

Solidifying communication, rule structure, socialization, leash control.

What happens at social maturity?

“Teenage” behaviour, testing boundaries, behaviour problems may emerge.

What should owners look for in a trainer?

Reward-based, positive reinforcement, head halters, APDT.

Warning signs?

Shock, prong, choke, positive punishment.

Factors to consider when choosing a cat?

Lifestyle, indoor/outdoor, number of cats, allergies, kitten vs. adult.

1 behavioural problem in cats?

Elimination disorders.

What percent improve with litterbox management alone?

50%.

What is the litterbox rule of thumb?

1 box per cat + 1 extra.

Ideal litterbox setup?

Large, open, non-scented clumping litter, 1.5–2 inches deep, daily cleaning.

Why do cats scratch?

Normal marking behaviour.

How to prevent unwanted scratching?

Provide proper posts, trim nails early, use deterrents, redirect.

How to prevent feline play aggression?

Daily interactive play, avoid using hands, environmental enrichment.

Steps when introducing a new cat?

Confine to one room, provide essentials, scent swapping, gradual visual exposure, supervised interactions.

What product may help reduce aggression?

Feliway.

What are the foundations of behaviour prevention?

Early training, consistency, confidence-building, trust, and understanding environment