Breed Behaviour and Enrichment
Herding breeds were originally developed to perform what task? Does this make them more or less likely to need enrichment?
Moving and controlling livestock. Yes, these breeds need more mental stimulation than most due to their super hyper-vigilance brains/instinct
Adding something desirable after a behaviour to increase its occurrence is an example of this
Positive reinforcement
What training cue is often easiest to teach first?
What emotion most commonly drives aggression in veterinary settings?
Fear
True or False: A wagging tail always means a dog is happy
False (what else could it mean?)
Which breeds are more prone to digging – and why?
Terriers and dachshunds, due to what they were bred for = hunting animals in burrows (terrier - "going to ground" and dachshund - "badger dog")
Removing pressure from a leash when a dog walks correctly is which learning principle
Negative reinforcement
What is the primary goal of behaviour modification?
To eliminate unwanted/incompatible behaviours with more appropriate ones
Why should treats be used in many veterinary visits?
To create positive associations and reduce fear.
A dog repeatedly licks its lips while no food is present. This is an example of which of the Four F's?
Fidget
This describes activities that promote mental and physical well-being and should occur as often as possible, especially during times of physical inactivity (post-surgery, winter, crate training)
Enrichment
Giving a dog a treat when it sits is an example of what?
Positive reinforcement
Pairing a clicker sound with treats until the dog responds to the clicker alone is an example of:
Classical Conditioning
A dog freezes during handling. What should this indicate to staff?
The dog is stressed and could escalate to aggression. Always try to minimize fear.
When the white of the dog's eye is visible, often indicating stress, fear, or discomfort, this is referred to as what?
A whale eye
Give 3 examples of enrichment for dogs
Puzzle feeders, Snuffle mats, Food toys, Scent games, Chase, Hide and seek, Training sessions, Walks etc.
What famous scientist is associated with classical conditioning?
Ivan Pavlov
What should immediately follow a click during clicker training?
A reward (treat, ball, praise etc.)
What does FAS or FASC refer to?
Fear, Anxiety, Stress or Fear, Anxiety, Stress, Conflict
Name two body language signs associated with fear
Tucked tail, Flattened ears, Wide eyes/whale eye/dilated pupils, Cowering/hiding, Trembling, Making themselves smaller, Avoiding eye contact etc
Lack of enrichment can contribute to which behavioural problems?
Destructive behaviour (digging, chewing), Excessive barking, Separation Anxiety, Stereotypic behaviours
This learning theory focuses on the consequences of behaviour
A dog stops reacting to the doorbell after hearing it repeatedly with no consequence. This is:
Desensitization
A dog learns that the exam room door opening predicts a nail trim. This is an example of:
Classical conditioning
This one of the four "F"s can be mistaken for play or even "the zoomies"
Flight