Canine Behavior

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on canine behavior issues, their causes, and management solutions.

Problem A

Dogs bark to alert humans but are not taught to sit and be quiet before greeting visitors.

Solution A

Clients should acknowledge the dog's bark, ask it to sit and be quiet, and reward its calm behavior before opening the door.

Problem B

Dogs lunge at or through doors and jump on entering people; humans tend to pull the dog back by the collar.

Solution B

Clients should ask the dog to sit quietly or use a gentle physical cue against its chest to back it up.

Thermoregulation

Dogs may dig to cool off or to create warmer spaces in cold weather.

Solution for Diggers

Provide digging options like buried toys, plastic pools with water, and elevated feeding stations.

Canine Breeds

Breeds like Jack Russell Terriers have been bred to dig and track earth-dwelling animals.

Dogs who dig

Dogs may dig to thermoregulate during hot weather or due to their specific breed instincts.

Jumping Behavior

Normal behavior in smaller or herding breeds encouraged through play; clients may find it cute but can become problematic.

Modification for Jumping

Clients should teach the dog to sit quietly before interacting with visitors.

Redirected Aggression

Aggression directed at a third party when the dog is thwarted from an initial target.

Food-Related Aggression

Aggression exhibited when a dog is near food items and may growl or bite if approached.

Possessive Aggression

Aggression manifested when a dog owns or is near non-food items, often resulting in growling.

Impulse-Control Aggression

Out-of-context aggression where dogs react aggressively to control their environment.

Treatment Approach

Focus on managing triggers, utilizing behavior modification, and, when necessary, medication.

Social Behavior

Dogs communicate through various signals; poor signaling may indicate underlying anxiety or aggression.

Cognitive Assessment

Dogs assess threats and reactivity based on environmental cues and their learned experiences.

Management Techniques

Separation of aggressive dogs, head collars for control, and avoiding situations that trigger aggressive responses.

Learning & Behavior Training

Teaching dogs to calmly and appropriately interact, especially in potentially provoking situations.

Veterinary Role

Veterinarians should assess for underlying medical or behavioral conditions contributing to aggressive behavior.

Child Interaction

Caregivers should supervise dogs and young children to minimize risk of aggressive interactions.