Introduction

Pets are an integral part of today's society and people keep pets for many reasons including companionship, sport, prestige and security. Pets provide many benefits to their owners, both physical and emotional, as well as add to the social capital of society.

Over 50% of new puppy owners at the first consultation and 62% of clients that attend the veterinary hospital for any reason ask questions about behaviour. However, the advice given is not always up to date nor scientific but based on myths or misconceptions. Therefore, the behaviour of pets leads to many pets being surrendered or euthanased each year with behavioural problems being the major cause of death of dogs aged less than 1 year. The average age of dogs in Australia is estimated to be about 3.5 years while for cats it is 5.6 years, which is well below their potential biological age.

The most common reasons for the surrender of dogs to a shelter include not attending obedience classes (68.1% more likely to be surrendered), being sexually intact (30.9%), eliminating inside regularly (19.3%) and not receiving veterinary attention (65.7%). Another survey found that 25.6% of owners surrendering their dog did so because of their behaviour with the most common problems being boisterousness (10%), aggression directed towards people (7.7%) and inter-dog aggression (9%).

Studies have shown that house-soiling is the most common reason for surrender of cats, followed by problems with other pets and aggression.

Dogs and cats were more likely to be relinquished if there was another pet in the household, especially if the other pet had been acquired in the previous year. If the dog was acquired from a shelter this increased the risk of the dog being relinquished for behavioural reasons.

On the positive side, puppies that attended puppy socialisation classes, wore head collars as puppies, responded to basic verbal cues and were handled frequently as puppies were less likely to be surrendered.

Behaviour Problem or Problem Behaviour?

Behaviour is complex and there are three main factors that influence how a dog may behave at any given time: genetic predisposition, learning and the environment. The genetic or inherited component predisposes a dog to behave in a certain way and influences the behaviours that are expressed at any given time. Dogs learn from every interaction they have with people, dogs, other animals and the environment. So, all previous experiences, good or bad, are influential. The socialisation period (which occurs between 3 and 12 weeks of age in dogs and 3 and 7 weeks in cats) is a particularly important and impressionable time. Finally, the environment or current situation in which the dog or cat lives at any particular time will also influence the behaviour that is exhibited at that time.

In general, when dogs or cats exhibit unwanted behaviours they fall into two categories. For example they can be normal dogs doing behaviours that we don't like, such as jumping up on people. These dogs have poor manners and need training to help them learn good manners. We need to give them guidance about the behaviours we want them to perform and then reward them when they get it right. So we might teach them to sit rather than jump up on people or lie quietly on a mat rather than get under our feet when we are cooking dinner. These behaviours are usually classified as problem behaviours.

Normal behaviours of puppies such as digging, chewing and barking cannot be eliminated entirely. In fact, it is possibly detrimental to the pup's welfare to try to do so. However, they can be modified to a more socially acceptable behaviour by altering the time, place or duration. Owners need to understand why the dog may be behaving in this way and how to respond accordingly. Teaching basic good manners can be very helpful for these dogs. Puppy Preschool® classes and the equivalent for kittens, Kitten Kindy®, are not only good practice builders but help owners manage normal behaviours.

The other reason that many dogs and cats exhibit unwanted behaviour is that they may have a physiological abnormality such as an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is caused in part by a problem with how the brain functions and processes information and it is a medical problem - just like diabetes is caused by a problem with how the pancreas functions and processes sugar. Anxiety can arise from feeling uncertain about what is going to happen next. Anxious pets have trouble predicting the outcomes of events and perceive many normal events as threatening. Even when the outcome of an event is pleasant they are often so anxious they cannot take in that information.

Anxious pets do not cope with changes, however small those changes may appear to us. So anxious pets exhibit unwanted behaviours because they can't help it. It is estimated that about 20% of the canine population have a mental health disorder such as an anxiety disorder which is not dissimilar from the figures quoted for the human population. Although teaching manners may be helpful it will not be enough for these dogs as they have an underlying medical condition and thus are classified as behavioural problems.

Studies have shown that puppies with anxiety can be identified at the first veterinary examination and that the anxiety persists into adulthood. It is the veterinarian's professional responsibility to recognise these puppies and kittens that are outliers in the spectrum of normal behaviour.

Treatment

Dogs and cats with behaviour problems such as anxiety disorders need a carefully implemented treatment plan. It has three key areas: environmental management, behaviour modification and medication. The veterinarian should recognise puppies and kittens that have behaviour problems and recommend early treatment for these pets, and referral to a veterinary behaviourist may be necessary.

A common misconception is that dogs just need training and to be shown who is boss to stop them barking or being reactive. This can actually be detrimental for anxious dogs and can make their behaviour worse in the long term. Dogs do not have fixed dominance hierarchies or dictatorial pack leaders who control everything. They are much more relaxed about things and are happy to follow the individual who knows the location of the best food, water, resting and playing places. Many dogs, especially dogs with anxiety disorders, find assertive and 'dominance style' handling very confusing and frightening. Dogs, especially anxious dogs, need careful, kind and consistent handling to help them feel safe and secure in a stable environment. The veterinarian should treat these puppies or advise early referral as they would with any other medical problem.

A veterinary nurse who is well trained in behaviour is an invaluable resource in veterinary practice. The veterinary nurse can provide advice to clients on house-training, chewing, scratching and litter box care etc. in a nurse consultation that is scheduled and charged for as is a veterinary appointment. Veterinary nurses can run Puppy Preschool® and Kitten Kindy® classes that address many issues that confront the new puppy or kitten owner.

Conclusion

It is the role of the veterinarian to identify whether the behaviour is normal or not and then to provide appropriate up-to-date advice on the best way to manage these behaviours so the pet stays in the household and does not become another statistic in the shelter.

The veterinary profession has a major role to play in decreasing the risk of pets being surrendered or euthanased. From the studies on the reasons for pet relinquishment it is apparent that veterinary advice needs to focus strongly on behavioural advice. Although traditionally the emphasis has been on preventative physical health care it is evident that behavioural advice should always be incorporated. The behavioural advice needs to include not only how to select a suitable pet but also where to source the pet, the effects of adding another pet to a household, house-training and the importance of socialisation and manners training for puppies and kittens.

References

1.  Duxbury M, Jackson J, et al. Evaluation of association between retention in the home and attendance at puppy socialization classes. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2003;223(1):61–66.

2.  Godbout M, Palestrini C, et al. Puppy behavior at the veterinary clinic: a pilot study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2007;2:125–138.

3.  Patronek GJ, Glickman LT, et al. Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter. Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association 1996;209(3):572–581.

4.  Salman M, Hutchison J, et al. Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to 12 shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2000;3(2):93–106.

5.  Seksel K. Preventing behavior problems in puppies and kittens. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 2008;38(5):971–982.