What is a behaviour problem a sign of?
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Ordinary species typical behaviour
Mating is a normal behaviour but sometimes the match causes problems for the owner!
2. Attempt at coping
Some dogs struggle to cope with excessive confinement
3. Reinforced behaviour
Many animals learn to do certain behaviours to gain the attention of their owner. This dog would lick itself until it had sore feet.
4. Pathophysiology (disease)
This dog would chase its tail, careful investigation revealed a broken bone in its tail which when treated stopped the behaviour
Factors to consider in the assessment of behaviour problems
Owner factors
- personality
- perceptions
- expectations
- relationship
Patient factors
- pathophysiology
- developmental experience
- training
- adaptiveness of the behaviour
- coping behaviour
- environment and management
In summary, behaviour problems arise as a result of the interaction of factors relating to the animal with those relating to the owner