Animal Behaviour

This module will cover the topics of domestication in dogs and cats and give an appreciation of the development of interaction between humans and these species. The ethology of dogs and cats will be discussed and related to the challenge for these species when living in a domestic environment. The development of puppies and kittens will be described and related to emotional motivations and behavioural responses at different stages of development.  

Key learning objectives 

•  Describe the domestication of the dog and cat
•  Describe the normal behaviour of the dog and cat
• Recognise the behavioural development of puppies and kittens as it relates to their role as companion animals  

This module will introduce the concept of emotional health in dogs and cats and emphasise the bilateral relationship between physical and emotional health. The importance of chronological history taking in behavioural medicine will be discussed and information about how to take a comprehensive history and recognise the relevance of the various components of the history will be given. The role of environmental optimisation in companion animals will also be covered.

Key learning objectives

•  Recognise the concept of emotional health in dogs and cats
•  Describe the interplay between emotional and physical health
•  Recognise the distinction between clinical and social/environmental causes of behavioural presentations
•  Demonstrate how to take a behavioural history and recognise the relevance of the components of that history
• Recognise how events in the animal’s life relate to their emotional health and behavioural responses

This two-day session will cover the subject of unwanted behaviours in companion animals. It will consider why cases of so called “aggression” are often the ones of most concern to owners and professionals and explain how these behavioural signs relate to the overall emotional health of the patient. The main causes of so called “aggression” and the general principles of dealing with clinical cases will be discussed along with important safety and legal aspects. The course will include case-based discussion sessions. Key Learning Objectives:

•  Differentiate between the motivational causes of so called “aggression” in dogs and cats
• Identify the importance of other behavioural responses to negative emotional motivations and explain how these relate to the responses of repulsion and confrontation
•  Recognise the safety and legal aspects of “aggression” problems 

See Module 3 In addition to: 

Key learning objectives 

• Describe the motivations for and potential prevention of commonly presented forms of confrontational and repulsion behaviour in companion animals
•  Recognise the difference between predatory behaviour and “aggression”
•  Describe the influence of species-specific ethology on behavioural presentations of confrontation and repulsion
•  Describe general and specific approaches to cases where repulsion or confrontational behaviours are being demonstrated toward owners, familiar and unfamiliar dogs or cats and unfamiliar people

This two-day session will cover the subject of fear-anxiety related behavioural presentations in dogs and cats which do not involve a repulsion response (covered in modules three and four). The fear-anxiety emotional system is triggered by the perception of threat which is either anticipated, real or perceived. These modules will examine some of the common non repulsion related behavioural presentations which are associated with this motivational system.  It will deal with the identification, management and treatment options for these cases and give advice about how they can be approached within the context of the general veterinary practice. 

Key Learning Objectives:

•  Recognise the role of the fear-anxiety system in common presentations of behavioural signs in companion animals
• Recognise the multifactorial influences on the development of fear-anxiety motivated behaviours including genetics, early rearing and past and current social and physical environments
•  Differentiate between fear-anxiety and other potential emotional motivations for similar behavioural signs in dogs

See module 5 in addition to:

Key learning objectives :

• Differentiate between fear-anxiety and other potential emotional motivations for similar behavioural signs in cats
•  Describe the relationship between fear-anxiety and pain emotional motivations and the influence of pain on companion animal behaviour

This module will consider the tools available in behavioural medicine. There will be a discussion of the role of nutrition in behaviour through considering the potential influence of nutritional input but also the effects of feeding behaviour and gastrointestinal function. Medication will be considered with general information given about drug classes and potential indications including short term management and longer-term modification of behaviour. A broader overview of the tools used in dealing with behavioural cases will include the role of communication, understanding of learning theory and appropriate use of equipment.  Key Learning Objectives:

•  Describe the potential influence of feeding and gastrointestinal function on behaviour
• Recognise the potential role of medication in behavioural cases
•  Explain the potential role of pheromone therapy in behavioural cases
•  Explain the potential for nutritional input to influence behaviour in cases of cognitive decline and negative emotional bias
•  Recognise the need for a multi-factorial approach to behavioural cases

Module eight will cover the integration of behavioral medicine into general practice and highlight the need for behavioral knowledge in order to make veterinary visits as positive as possible for patients, owners, and practice staff.

Key learning objectives 

• Recognise the important role of behavioural medicine in general veterinary practice
• Explain the application of behavioural knowledge in order to make veterinary visits as positive as possible for patients, caregivers and practice staff.
•  Construct and implement a stress audit in general veterinary practice