Training and Behaviour Guide for Vet Professionals
AT DOGS T RUST DOG SC HOOL W E G I VE E X PE R T A DV I C E A N D P R AC T I C A L T R A I N I N G TO HEL P OW N E R S A N D T HE I R DOGS U N DE R STA N D E AC H OT HE R B E T T E R A N D TO HEL P T HE I R PU P PY O R DOG F I T H A P P I LY I N TO T HE I R L I VES . Up to 6 dogs per class with 2 experienced trainers waiting to help owners and their dogs. Fun classes, set up to make owners and their dogs feel relaxed and able to learn. Positive reward-based training – we teach owners how and why.
A focus on building a positive bond and helping dogs learn the essential skills to cope with everyday domestic life. Lots of information to help owners understand their dog and prevent future problems.
Whatever the age of the dog, and whatever owners need help with, we guarantee a friendly and understanding welcome. Owners will see significant improvements, and will have fun along the way.
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DOG SC HOOL LOC AT I O NS
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P RE VE N T I N G U N N EC ESSA RY EU T H A N A S I A A N D R EL I N QU I SHME N T OF DOGS F O R REHOM I N G Veterinary practice aims to alleviate suffering and optimise welfare, however vets might at times find themselves in the professionally compromised position of being called upon to euthanise physically healthy dogs for behavioural reasons.
It’s heart-wrenching to accept that most dogs euthanised under the age of three are done so as a result of behaviour problems likely to have been entirely preventable 1, 2. Problematic behaviour also results in dogs being given up. Consistently 1 Boyd, c., Jarvis, S., McGreevy, P., Heath, S., Church, D., Brodbelt, D., & O’Neill, D. (2018). Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Animal Welfare, 27(3):251-262 2 O’Neill, d., Church, D., McGreevy, P., Thomson, P., & Brodbelt, D. (2013). Longevity and mortality of dogs owned in England. The Veterinary Journal, 198:638-643
one quarter of all the dogs taken in by Dogs Trust each year are given up on behavioural grounds. We work tirelessly to rehabilitate and rehome dogs whose anxieties, fears and phobias might have been prevented. But there’s good news – our national network of Dog Schools provide evidence-based training classes for puppies, adolescents, rescues and adults aimed specifically at preventing problem behaviour, keeping dogs in lifelong homes and preventing unnecessary euthanasia.
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DOG SC HOOL C L A SSES P RE VE N T P ROB L EM AT I C B EH AV I OU R Our classes teach the skills that dogs, and owners need to lead safe, confident and happy lives. For puppies, this can prevent many avoidable behavioural problems that might arise through a lack of appropriate early experiences, such as separation-related behaviours, noise sensitivities and anxiety or fear, including apprehension about being handled or meeting new people and dogs.
Using positive reinforcement, and rewards the dog really likes, means we create strong, trusting relationships between owners and dogs.
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Delivered by our professional, experienced and friendly team of coaches, Dog School classes ensure owners learn to: •
recognise and understand canine communication
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prevent problems developing
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meet their dog’s individual needs
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use evidence-based training methods to teach their dogs the lifelong skills that will help them lead happy lives within our human world
Using positive reinforcement, and rewards the dog really likes, means we create strong, trusting relationships between owners and dogs. This helps keep dogs in their
homes for their lifetime whilst being wonderful pet dog ambassadors within their local communities. Owners learn how to teach their dogs to walk nicely on lead, settle down in busy places, come whenever called, be polite around food and visitors, cope when left alone or when there are strange noises, and to be comfortable and confident around other dogs. Classes are limited to just six dogs and always have at least two coaches in every class, so owners are fully supported – and we make sure that training is always fun for everyone and we give the extra care needed to ensure everyone reaches their potential!
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DOG SC HOOL C L A SSES PL AC E S PEC I F I C EM PH A S I S O N VE T E R I N A RY H A N DL I N G
At Dogs Trust we understand and appreciate just how emotionally challenging a visit to the vet can be for dogs, as we’ve had to give expert guidance in many cases to help dogs overcome their fear of both being handled, and the veterinary environment itself. This type of problem can have a lasting impact on a dog’s behaviour throughout life, potentially resulting in both relinquishment and euthanasia where dogs unfortunately become dangerously unable to tolerate being handled. 8
Classes include teaching dogs to enjoy settling in places such as the waiting room, meeting new people, being handled for an examination and having stethoscopes placed on their chests. Dogs are also positively encouraged to wear Elizabethan collars and muzzles. Owners learn how to introduce the veterinary environment in a positive way, to build a lasting positive association.
prepared for examination and medicating if necessary. Owners should also be equipped with the skills to recognise when their dogs are becoming distressed and react appropriately to alleviate the situation without behaviour ever escalating to fear-motivated aggression, intended to keep oneself safe by driving away whatever is frightening.
If you know you’re consulting with a Dog School graduate you should see a difference in their behaviour! Dog School dogs should be better
All this means happier vet visits for everyone: the dog, the owner and your practice team!
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DOG SC HOOL’S C PD P ROG R A MME F O R V E T S , N U R SES , A N I M A L C A RE A N D REC E P T I O N T E A MS Let us take care of your in-house behavioural CPD needs by delivering short, informative seminars that include professional discussion as well as photographic and video analysis – perfect for ‘lunch and learn’ sessions!
We are able to deliver sessions on a variety of vet-practice related topics including:
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understanding how pain affects behaviour
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training new behaviours in vet practice – being medicated and wearing Elizabethan collars or muzzles
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body language, warning signs and how to respond to reduce anxiety
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low-stress handling techniques
And our very popular…
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recognising the difference between fear and anxiety
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delivering successful and evidence-based puppy socialisation events
DOG SC HOOL C A N A L SO HEL P YOU CO N N EC T WITH CLIENTS We also regularly offer seminars for dog owners and the general public. Promoting these within your practice could provide a valuable opportunity to establish client-practice bond, as well as supporting Dogs Trust with delivering important messages aimed at responsible dog ownership and preventing problematic behaviour.
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teaching owners how to prepare for and settle in a new puppy
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teaching people how to recognise, interpret and respond to dogs’ communication
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how to prevent signs of fear and anxiety effectively, particularly useful around bonfire night
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T R I GG E R STAC K I N G : HOW A DOG’S B EH AV I OU R C A N B E A FFEC T ED DU R I N G A VE T V I S I T Dogs learn through every experience, so finding a vet visit unpleasant means they’re likely to expect their next appointment to be unpleasant too.
The point at which dogs tip from tolerating any given situation to being completely unable to cope, is often referred to as their ‘threshold’. If a dog is highly aroused – with excitement just as well as fear – they move closer to their personal threshold and are likely to become more reactive to stimuli than usual. Some dogs will have naturally lower thresholds than others, but unfortunately these dogs are likely to find life a little more challenging. Considering all the various triggers that might excite the sympathetic nervous system, it’s always possible that dogs have experienced many en route to the consultation and
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arrive nearing their threshold. For example, an overnight visitor, being starved for a blood test, a motorbike backfiring on the way, a rabbit in the waiting room… triggers will be individual between dogs. As triggers stack up it’s clear why a dog might now react much more profoundly to being examined by someone unfamiliar1. It’s well worth asking owners ‘what has your dog done today?’ before you start your examination, being mindful that handling itself might trigger further arousal to a point at which a dog can no longer cope. 1 Overall, K. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioural Medicine for Dogs and Cats. St Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.
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Happy Vet Visits: Tips for Owners 1
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Relax in the waiting room
Help your dog to LOVE the clinic
Teaching your dog to settle down calmly, no matter where they are, will make waiting times much more relaxing for everybody!
Popping into your vet practice when it isn’t busy will help prepare them for the occasional time they need to receive treatment.
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Learn to recognise what your dog is telling you
Don’t tell your dog off for growling
By watching and understanding your dog’s behaviour you can manage their experiences and ensure these are as good as can be.
Understand that growling indicates that a dog is feeling very uncomfortable and wants whatever is happening to stop right away.
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Teach your dog that being examined is okay
Introduce strange things slowly and in a fun way
Use tasty treats to teach this at home. Start by touching your dog somewhere they enjoy having a fuss. Keep it brief by only touching them for 3 seconds and giving them a treat straight away.
Use whatever your dog loves - treats, toys, a gentle fuss – to teach them that new things like ear or eye drops, tablets or flea treatments are okay.
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Teach your dog to cope alone
Keep calm and carry on!
Prepare in advance for your dog ever needing to stay in hospital by teaching them to cope without you and to be all by themselves for short periods.
Take time to practise training with your dog. This will help you better understand them and make your trips to the vets a happy experience.
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W HE N I T G OES W RO N G : W HE N A N D HOW TO REFE R A N OW N E R TO A B EH AV I OU R I ST Whenever any dog behaves ‘out of character’ or shows signs of being aggressive, anxious or frightened (which might also manifest as aggression) the first step is to rule out any underlying medical contributor. As pain and physiological disorder can significantly affect behaviour, pathology must be treated before any attempt to modify behaviour. Behavioural advice could prove harmful without an accurate diagnosis.
Membership at the level of Clinical Animal Behaviourist is awarded only through submission of an extensive casebook, and a relevant degree/post-graduate qualification in behavioural counselling. The emotion underlying the unwanted behaviour must be addressed, otherwise there is a risk that the dog will still feel the same, whether frightened or frustrated for example. This is the behaviourist’s 16
priority, who will create a bespoke programme aimed at changing the way a dog feels and teaching an alternative, healthier and safer way of behaving in the future.
The title ‘behaviourist’ is not legally protected. Dogs Trust Dog School only refer to practitioners sourced via the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Membership at the level of Clinical Animal Behaviourist is awarded only through submission of an extensive casebook, a formal assessment of practical and theoretical skills, and a relevant degree/post-graduate qualification in behavioural counselling. ‘Veterinary-Behaviourists’ are Clinical Animal Behaviourists who are also Veterinary Surgeons.
Owners will be able to find someone suitably experienced and appropriately qualified via: http://www.abtcouncil.org.uk/ clinical-animal-behaviourists.html http://www.asab.org/ccab-register Behaviourists located on these registers only work on veterinary referral, to ensure that any underlying medical issue will be addressed, in conjunction with behavioural support.
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F I R ST A I D F O R B EH AV I OU R A L P ROB L EMS Make sure everyone, including the dog, and the environment, are safe! When addressing any unwanted behaviour, identify any potential triggers then avoid these as much as possible – or minimise exposure should complete avoidance be unachievable. This prevents things worsening and stops rehearsal of unwanted, undesirable behaviours like aggression.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for behaviour problems, because they are so emotional, and they can sometimes involve lifelong management.
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This might require owners to keep their dog completely away from anything causing them to become uncomfortable, while organising referral to a behaviourist. For example, baby-gates can be a useful way of completely separating spaces within homes to keep the dog apart from babies, children, other dogs or people they might be worried about.
For dogs who cannot cope alone, this might mean simply not leaving them at all until a behaviourist has been consulted. Dogs presenting a potential risk to people or other animals should also be taught to wear a muzzle. However, although this offers
protection it doesn’t alter a dog’s emotional state, so a behaviourist will still be necessary to create a programme that safely modifies behaviour and helps the dog to feel better. Preventing problematic behaviour is easier than trying to correct it once things have gone wrong and the dog feels frightened, anxious, frustrated, confused and distressed.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for behaviour problems, because they are so emotional, and they can sometimes involve lifelong management. It’s something owners need to be prepared for and why Dog School is working so hard to prevent it in the first place. 19
D I S PEL L I N G T HE DOM I N A N C E T HEO RY “He’s just being dominant!”
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—Methods aimed at controlling a dog’s behaviour with coercion are likely to result in intimidation and fear.
The theory asserts that dogs desire top dog status, which leads them to use aggression to dominate others in order to gain control over their environment. The problem with this is that it is based upon captive wolf behaviour1 2 – not dogs at all! Wolves studied were being kept in a minimally resourced environment that led to them behaving unnaturally, which led to false assumptions being made about not only wolf, but also dog behaviour! Ethologists now refute the findings3 of this biased research and the dominance theory has been dismissed. 1 Schenkel, R. (1947). Expression studies of wolves. Behaviour, 1: pp81-129 2 Mech, L. (1999). Alpha status, dominance, and division of labour in wolf packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 77: pp1196-1203 3 Serpell, J. (2017). The Domestic Dog: its evolution, behaviour and interactions with people. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge
If an owner believes that they need to ‘show the dog that they are in charge’ they might use punishment or discipline that is unpleasant and painful. Methods aimed at controlling a dog’s behaviour with coercion are likely to result in intimidation and fear. While compulsive techniques might stop unwanted behaviour, this is because the dog is too scared to behave, frightened of being reprimanded – particularly as this might be painful. Coercive techniques are not only detrimental to the dog-owner bond but might also actually worsen the behaviour because the dog is now anxious, fearful and unlikely to trust their owner. If an owner needs help with their dog’s behaviour, ruling out medical cause and then referring to a professional for support and guidance is key to making the difference in a positive way.
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OU R B ES P OK E T R A I N I N G AND B EH AV I OU R W EBS I T E At www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk you’ll find pearls of wisdom from Dogs Trust’s behaviour and research team on an ever-expanding range of related topics – from debunking the dominance theory myth to understanding what your dog is telling you, and specific advice on problematic behaviour such as aggression, separation-related distress and noise sensitivities. It’s the perfect place to signpost any owner needing information on dog behaviour and training.
The website also links to all our Dog Schools across the country, as well as helpful, informative and easy-tofollow video tutorials and blogs on how to teach dogs a wide variety of skills that will help them lead happy, adaptable lives!
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We only promote positive and kind training methods that strengthen the owner-dog bond and ensure that living and learning together is always fun!
www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk
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G E N E R AT I O N PU P Many important welfare conditions such as GI diseases, epilepsy, leg injuries, diabetes and behaviour problems are influenced by multiple factors, so we’re collaborating with the University of Bristol with this exciting birth cohort study that aims to understand what influences behaviour, health and welfare throughout a dog’s life.
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Generation Pup has the great advantage of collecting information about dogs throughout their entire lives so the ages at which diseases first occur and which factors might have contributed to their development can be identified. We’ll be able to analyse whether aspects such as environment, social interaction, diet, exercise or daily routine may be important in the development of a range of health and behaviour conditions which impact quality of life. Knowledge of important risk factors can be used to develop strategies to reduce the
likelihood of associated diseases and behavioural problems affecting dogs in the future. We’re aiming to recruit 10,000 puppies from across the UK and owner participation is crucial for the success of the study. Puppies must be 16 weeks of age or less when enrolling. Data about dogs enrolled on the Generation Pup study will be gathered using owner-surveys. However, in addition owners may also grant access to vet records as well as providing faecal, hair and buccal samples.
You can help by publicising Generation Pup and encouraging puppy owners to enrol. For a recruitment pack or more information please get in touch:
www.generationpup.ac.uk generationpup@dogstrust.org.uk 07434 843 460
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T HE W I DE R RE AC H OF DOGS T RUST VE T E R I N A RY SE RV I C ES
Emergency Trust Fund
Shared Adoption Scheme
Contributes to treatment costs in emergency circumstances for owners receiving means-tested benefits or in other financial difficulties, following application from vet practices within 72hrs of the incident.
Provides financial assistance to owners rehoming Dogs Trust dogs with an ongoing condition. The shared adoption scheme is entirely funded by charitable donations. www.dogstrust.org.uk/SAS
emergencyfund@dogstrust.org.uk
UK neutering initiative
Hope Project
Provides subsidised neutering for vulnerable dogs at participating veterinary practices.
Homeless dog owners can apply for free veterinary care.
campaigns@dogstrust.org.uk
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hopeproject@dogstrust.org.uk www.dogstrusthopeproject.org.uk
Freedom Project
Dogs Trust Worldwide
Provides free foster care for dogs whose owners are fleeing domestic abuse. freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk
Youth and adult education programmes, stray dog population control via mass neutering, veterinary team training provision, mass rabies vaccination projects.
www.dogstrustfreedomproject.org.uk
www.dogstrustworldwide.com international@dogstrust.org.uk
Canine Care Card
Puppy Smuggling
Guarantees that, in the event of the card-carrier’s death, their dog will be cared for and found a new home.
Underwriting the quarantine costs of illegally imported puppies to facilitate their seizure and guarantee their care and adoption.
ccc@dogstrust.org.uk
www.dogstrust.org.uk/ puppysmuggling/
Want to volunteer on an overseas project in India, Malawi, or Bosnia? www.dogstrustworldwide.com international@dogstrust.org.uk
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For further training information, including leaflets and 'how to' videos visit
www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk 28
