10 Steps to a Better Behaved Pet

1. 10Steps to a Better Behaved Pet Presented by Dr Cam Day Animal Behaviour Veterinarian Cam Day Consulting Ph 07 32550022 Email drcam@pethealth.com.au www.pethealth.com.au

2. Is Pet Behaviour Important? • Pet behaviour is important because: • Pets with behavioural maladies represent 70% of animals surrendered to shelter • Pet behavioural problems are a common reason for euthanasia of pets • Pet behavioural problems can severely injure or kill the pet • Pet behavioural problems can injure or kill people, and other animals

3. These dogs were uncontrollable This cat eats sheets! This dog bit a child His owners still love him dearly and put up with his problems. (They love him more than material possessions!!) Surrendered Euthanased Escaped and hit by car. KILLED This dog has serious noise fears

4. # ONE Stop your pet teaching itself bad behaviours The more your pet performs an annoying behaviour, the more likely your pet will do the same thing again. Your pet is reinforcing its own behaviours – its probably happy doing so but you are not. Link to ‘Changing Moods’ Membership needed to view some files

5. Stop your pet teaching itself bad behaviours • When attempting to change a pet’s behaviour, try to avoid all situations that will create the unwanted behaviour because if the pet misbehaves, it is teaching itself to misbehave the same way again later. • Q. So, why is your postman an expert dog trainer? • Try taking the problem away from your pet or, take your pet away from the problem. • If your dog barks at the front fence, construct a midway fence • If your cat scratches your child while they are playing together, remove the cat from your child by giving your child a feather on a string as a cat toy. The cat's energy and 'spikiness' is directed to the feather not fingers. Link to fencing information Membership needed to view some files

6. # 2Don't try to cure aggression by being aggressive Dogs which are aggressive are over‑aroused. The last thing they want is to be pushed more out of control by being yelled at or hit. If your dog is aggressive, act like a statue. Let the aggression evaporate and allow the dog to calm down. It won’t take long. When it is calm, try a simple command like SIT. Reward the resulting calm behaviour with a GOOD DOG voice or even a food treat. Click the photos for info on aggression

7. # 3A dog that barks when you are at work is often bored out of its big brain. Your bored backyard dog will benefit greatly if you provide it with a rich lifestyle while you are away at work. Try giving Pooch a Kong toy or a roller treat ball stuffed with food or even a frozen bone before you leave. Just be sure any food given is part of its overall diet so you don’t create a tubby puppy. Or give your dog a GoDogGo Fetch Machine!! Link to the No Bored Dogs Routine Membership needed to view some files

8. # 4A dog that barks when you are away may have an anxiety disorder • If your dog is:- • Very sensitive to you leaving • Hyper-attentive when you get home and • Exhibiting bad behaviour when you are not home • ….then it could have a separation anxiety, noise phobia or a panic disorder. • CAREFUL TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL • Medications or pheromones are often needed LINK to Separation Anxiety Details Membership needed to view some files

9. # 5If your pet has an annoying behaviour, try to minimise punishment • Punishment is overused and often pushes animals further out of control. • Instead, work on a system that creates the behaviour you want and then reward this behaviour • so your pet can see more value in behaving than misbehaving. • There are ways and means to achieve this using cognitive therapy and IQ testing your dog at the same time!! • Electric stimulus collars need to be used with utmost caution and only under proper advice Link to Behaviour Modification Information Membership needed to view some files

10. # 6Dogs, cats and birds that are fearful have great difficulty learning • Solving fear-based behaviours can be difficult. • Don't create fear and then try to • make your pet cope with it. • It will learn very little because it is pushed into a defensive or flight mode, not a learning mode. • Create a situation where your pet is calm and happy • The slowly introduce the stimulus that caused the fear while still maintaining your pet’s happiness. • (Progressive Desensitisation) • Then you will progress. Link to Dogged by Fears

11. # 7If your cat stops using its litter tray, be sure it is not suffering from a medical disorder Many cats that break their litter tray habits have a lower urinary tract infection. Visit your vet but if the problem persists, it can usually be managed behaviourally. Keeping the litter trays clean is vital and using the right litter is important LINK to House Soiling Solutions Membership needed to view some files

12. # 8If your dog is annoying visitors, get it away from visitors before they arrive It’s too difficult to manage a rambunctious pet and to greet your visitors simultaneously. Place your dog in a comfortable room (e.g. the laundry) with a Kong or bone before the visitors arrive. Then introduce your pet to the visitors later when you, the visitors and your pesky pooch are ready to deal with the outcomes. Use TIME OUT if the dog continues to be a problem Link to Attention Seeking Solutions Membership needed to view some files

13. # 9If you have a new puppy or kitten, be sure to take it to a Puppy Preschool or Kitty Kindy • At a well-run pet preschool your pet can learn to get on with: • other pets and… • with people other than you. • The convenor of the preschool will also teach you all about caring for your pet, and about training. Link to New Puppy Information

14. # 10If your cat attacks you, it may be playing • Play behaviour and aggression are very close with cats • and both make humans bleed • Try giving the cat things to play with that don't bleed!! • A 'fishing rod' made from a bamboo garden stake • A piece of string and a cork to which two feathers have been stuck • Such devices don’t train the cat that human flesh is a play thing. Link to No Bored Cats Routine Membership needed to view some files

15. More Information From Dr Cam Day Free Ten Tenets of Dog Care Brain-E-BookFree Frightful Noises E-book (Trial Version)Memberships with PETHEALTH.COM.AUHow Dr Cam and help with your pet’s behaviour solutionsAssess your pet’s behaviourContact:Cam Day ConsultingPH 07 32550022Email drcam@pethealth.com.auPO Box 8406WOOLLOONGABBA QLD 4102FAIRFIELD CONSULTING ROOOMS59 FAIRFIELD ROADFAIRFIELD QLD