Introduction

People have owned pets for over 12,000 years. Most of us cannot imagine our lives without animals. There have been numerous studies showing the many physical and psychological benefits of animals to people. Yet today we are becoming increasingly disconnected from animals. As our social demography changes, fewer people are involved in agriculture or have regular contact with animals in any form. As we move into cities and apartment-style dwellings, fewer people have regular contact with pets. Despite the benefits pets bring to people, many jurisdictions have introduced more restrictive laws about pet ownership, and for some, pets are becoming harder to own. So the pets we own have to be even more socially acceptable than their ancestors. A veterinary practice should be instrumental in this process. The future of pets in our society depends on us.

Today the largest cause of death of pets remains euthanasia due to behaviour problems. Most dogs and cats do not live to their full age potential with the average age of dogs estimated to be only 3.5 years while for cats it is 5.6 years.

The concept of running Puppy Preschool® and Kitten Kindy® is to help pets become more socially acceptable for their owners as well as the community in which they live. It is best thought of as teaching pets good manners. However, these classes are really designed for owners so that they can better understand their pet.

These classes are specifically designed for the owners of puppies aged between 8 and 14 weeks of age and kittens aged between 8 and 12 weeks of age to help them understand the many aspects of raising a puppy or kitten and then living with a pet in the family. As the classes cover physical as well as behavioural health of the pets they can play a major role in helping the pet become a sociable and manageable pet and so stay within the family.

What is Good Behaviour?

'Behave' is defined in the Macquarie dictionary as 'to act in a socially acceptable manner'. Behaviour is influenced by three main factors. These are:

 Inherited predisposition to exhibit a particular behaviour

 Previous experiences and learning from these

 Environment at the time

What is the Difference: Behaviour Problem or Problem Behaviour?

Issues that owners have with their pets can be categorised into two main areas - problem behaviours and behaviour problems. Both can be seen at a young age and the earlier they are managed the better for the welfare of the pet.

Behaviour problems and problem behaviours may be presented to the veterinary clinic when an owner finds it difficult to live with a pet's behaviour. The behaviour may be worrying, dangerous, offensive or annoying for the owner. Although these two categories are not totally mutually exclusive, classifying the unacceptable behaviour(s) in this way determines not only the advice that should be given but also helps decide whether referral is necessary and if so, referral to the most appropriate person.

Problem Behaviours

Problem behaviours can be considered as behaviours that are normal for the pet to exhibit but are unacceptable to the owner or the community. They generally occur due to lack of understanding of the behavioural needs of pets, through lack of training of the pet, insufficient training of the pet or inappropriate training. These problem behaviours generally respond to improved training and/or management strategies.

Behaviour Problems

They can be considered as behaviours that may be normal or abnormal but are excessive in duration and or intensity, or are exhibited in response to stimuli that should not elicit this response. They are detrimental to the pet as well as the owner and or community. Examples include aggression, compulsive disorders, self-mutilation and phobias. Treatment involves three key areas: environmental management, behaviour modification and often medication.

What is Socialisation?

Socialisation is defined as a special learning process where an animal learns to accept the close proximity of members of its own species as well as that of other species. Therefore animals that are well socialised are more likely to be able to live in harmony with others.

Puppy Preschool®

Puppy Preschool® is specifically designed for owners with puppies aged 8–14 weeks to help them become sociable and manageable pets. They are NOT obedience classes for younger dogs. Puppy Preschool® aims to help prevent problem behaviours, recognise behaviour problems, educate owners on the art of raising a puppy and then living with a dog in the family, as well as establish a close bond between the puppy, the owner and the veterinary hospital.

This is one of the most important stages in a dog's life as everything the puppy learns and experiences will have a great effect on how he behaves as an adult. Puppies have a sensitive period of development (the socialisation period) that occurs from about 3 weeks to 3 months of age. From earlier studies it is known that dogs that have been isolated during this time are more likely to be hyperactive, aggressive, difficult to train, antisocial and fearful. To develop into normal, friendly and confident adults, puppies need to be regularly handled and to be exposed to novel situations in a non-threatening way. For example puppies that are not exposed to other dogs during the socialisation period are more likely to develop aggressive or fearful responses to other dogs.

Dog owners also need to be educated and taught how to look after and manage their pets. Most dogs are kept as companions and it is for this reason that puppy classes are an essential part of teaching owners how to teach their puppies basic good manners. As it is estimated that one in six dogs may have an anxiety disorder, these classes also allow the early detection of behaviour problems.

Kitten Kindy®

Although the advantages of puppy training are now well established and accepted, many people still do not appreciate that kittens also benefit from such classes. Cats require socialisation with members of their own species as well as humans and dogs if they are to become social members of the household. Studies have shown that early handling of kittens in a gentle, non-threatening manner is just as important for cats for their normal development.

Kitten Kindy® is an early socialisation and education programme designed to help owners and kittens start off on the right track. Kitten Kindy® helps prevent problem behaviours, allows early recognition of behaviour problems, and educates owners on raising a kitten and then living with a cat. Classes help establish a close bond between the cat, the owner and the veterinary practice.

Kitten Kindies® are for kittens under 12 weeks of age to help them develop into manageable and social adult cats. As the socialisation period of cats ends at around 9 weeks of age, kittens should be no more than 14 weeks old when they finish the classes. Kittens more than 14 weeks old may be more likely to fight rather than socialise with the other kittens.

The classes teach owners about normal feline behaviour as well as how to play and interact appropriately with their kittens. They focus on teaching owners how to prevent problem behaviours as well as on other preventative medicine issues.

Planning Classes

For maximum benefit the classes should be held at your veterinary hospital. This way the pets and their owners meet the staff and become familiar with the hospital.

Classes need careful planning. They should be fun, and provide a safe and relaxed environment for learning, for both pets and owners. They should be run by the most experienced people that are familiar with learning theory and canine/feline behaviour.

The classes should:

 Educate owners on socially responsible pet ownership

 Inform owners about normal canine/feline behaviour

 Explain to owners how to train their pet

 Allow puppies/kittens to socialise in a safe and controlled situation

 Teach puppies/kittens to accept gentle handling

 Teach puppies/kittens good manners

 Teach puppies/kittens to be calm on cue

 Provide solutions to common issues such as house-training, biting, scratching, jumping, chewing etc.

 Encourage ongoing training for dogs

 Help owners to have realistic expectations of their pets

 Build a strong bond with the practice

Benefits include:

 Early detection of behaviour problems

 Better behaved adult pets

 Better educated owners

 Better educated veterinary staff

 Increased self-esteem for staff

 Increased practice profits

 Increased client visits

References

1.  Godbout M, Frank D. Excessive mouthing in puppies as a predictor of aggressiveness in adult dogs. IVBM Proceedings Capetown, 2011.

2.  Landsberg G, Hunthausen W, Ackerman L. Handbook of Behaviour Problems of the Dog and Cat. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2007.

3.  Seksel K. Training Your Cat. Brunswick, Victoria: Hyland House Publications, 2001.

4.  Seksel K. How to conduct puppy socialization & training classes. Western Veterinary Conference, 2006.

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