University of Adelaide animal behaviour expert Dr Susan Hazel on common pet problem fixes
Looking for ways to help a badly behaved dog or cat? Adelaide animal behaviour expert Dr Susan Hazel explores common pet problems and how to fix them.
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“Mad dog” Toppi was supposed to be the ideal companion for an autistic child.
But her bad behaviour initially saw her sent back to the breeder she was purchased from with her tail between her legs.
The breeder then sent her to Ruth Bell of Remarkable Behaviour at Green Hills Range, near Macclesfield, who recently accepted the challenge of training the curly-coated retriever.
“It was quite a shock when I got her. I’d never seen such a mad dog,” Ms Bell said. “She couldn’t walk on lead. When you held the lead, she would lie down and start rolling like an alligator.
“She was so scared and overwhelmed by everything and if you touched her head, she screamed fearfully.”
But with consistent boundaries, praise for desired behaviours and diversions away from unwanted behaviours, Toppi is now a completely different dog.
So much so that Ms Bell is now training her for her originally-intended purpose as a therapy dog.
Ms Bell and other experts say understanding dog psychology is key to raising a happy hound.
But there are two very different schools of thought on the subject of what makes a dog tick.
Behavioural veterinarian Dr Eleanor Parker at AdelaideVet warned owners against trainers who talk about “pack leaders” and promise to teach every dog who’s the boss.
Rather than yelling “No”, yanking on a choker chain and forcing a dog into submission, qualified trainers reward desired behaviours with food treats, praise and pats, she said.
But Dr Parker said some dogs were predisposed to significant fears and phobias, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorders and needed medication. She recently treated a german shepherd pup that “suddenly started trying to attack its own tail, and it would chase its tail and scream and be in a state of absolute distress”.
“It was constantly trying to attack its tail and if the owners tried to actually stop it from doing so, it would lash out and bite them,” she said.
Adelaide University senior lecturer in animal behaviour senior lecturer Dr Susan Hazel said there had been a shift away from traditional “dog obedience” schooling to more positive training methods in recent years. “The negative methods work, that’s why people continue to use them, but they have fallout, so it’s more likely that dogs will go on to have behaviour problems like aggression,” she said.
“It also destroys the relationship you have with the dog so they don’t trust you. An anxious dog may shut down completely and then sometimes people erroneously think ‘Well my dog’s behaving now’. It’s very sad and there are still unfortunately trainers that use those methods.”
Positive Dog Training owner Sharon Crichton often steps in to help when councils have issued control orders for excessive noise or aggression.
She tries to find the underlying reason for unwanted behaviour and addressing that. “That way we keep the relationship intact, because getting cross with a dog and yelling at the dog generally has fallout,” she said.
“It weakens the bond we have with the dog and it can make dogs more fearful in the long run. Sometimes it turns into aggression, just because some dogs don’t cope very well with humans being horrible to them.” She said that if puppies were exposed carefully, early, to other dogs and situations there was less chance of fear-based behavioural issues.
PAW PATROL: FIXING TOP ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS
In cats and dogs it is important to recognise their normal behaviour and to work with, rather than against, it to prevent problems.
In puppies and kittens there is a critical socialisation period and if they are not exposed to different environments and people they may always be anxious and not know how to interact.
Dr Susan Hazel says knowledge of how animals learn and appropriate force-free training from a young age will prevent many behaviour problems. If any problems are severe, seek veterinary advice.
PROBLEMS WITH DOGS
1. Barking – a normal behaviour but if excessive can be a nuisance to you and neighbours. Providing more exercise, training, and enrichment can help. If persistent, seek professional advice.
2. Digging – again a normal behaviour. A young dog may grow out of it. Providing extra exercise, toys and other enrichment and training can reduce the problem.
3. Chewing – usually only a problem in younger dogs. Providing toys and food to chew on can prevent chewing on other things. If excessive or in an older dog, seek professional advice.
4. Fear and anxiety – can be genetic or related to dogs not being well socialised as puppies. Force-free training can help.
5. Noise phobia – most common are thunderstorms and fireworks. If extreme seek help from a vet.
6. Separation anxiety – if a dog “destroys the house” or tries to escape when no one is home, these can be signs of separation anxiety. Good dog trainers can help with methods to reduce the risk of this developing, especially if you start early.
7. Aggression to humans – including growling, snapping and biting. Many dogs that show aggressive behaviours have underlying anxiety and it is important to get a proper diagnosis. Training with aversive methods (eg shouting or electric collars, which should never be used) can increase the risk of dogs showing aggressive behaviour. If problems are minor, a good dog trainer can work with you to alleviate it. More serious aggression should never be ignored and consulting with a veterinarian with an interest in behaviour and a dog trainer experienced in dealing with aggression is advised.
8. Aggression to other animals – again may be due to underlying anxiety. If severe, such that you can’t take your dog for walks, seek help from a good dog
trainer.
9. Obsessive-compulsive behaviours (OCD) – including spinning, tail chasing, fly biting, sucking on a toy or sucking on part of the body. Some breeds are at higher risk of developing OCD, including german shepherds, dobermans, border collies and Jack Russell terriers. It is recommended to seek a vet’s advice.
10. Doggie dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction) – similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. This is more likely in older dogs, and up to 40 per cent of dogs that live to 14 years might be affected. Signs can include getting stuck behind furniture, being restless at night, and increased anxiety. Vets can help to maintain quality of life in older dogs.
PROBLEMS WITH CATS
1. Marking – usually spraying of surfaces, such as curtains. Can be due to conflict with other animals, or medical problems. Seek advice from a veterinarian.
2. Inappropriate toileting – may relate to not providing enough litter trays indoors (should have one toilet tray per cat plus one), having them in the wrong place (should be in quiet area) or not cleaning them regularly. Medical problems and social conflicts can also cause inappropriate toileting.
3. Fear and anxiety – can be genetic or due to lack of socialisation when young. If the cat was not exposed to people as a kitten they may never like to be held. Positive interactions and giving them space are the best options.
4. Separation anxiety – some cats suffer when left for a long time. Consult with a vet to rule out medical problems.
5. Overgrooming – can be related to anxiety or obsessive behaviour. If due to conflict with another animal, changing the environment can help.
6. Aggressive to people – can occur normally during play, with innate hunting behaviours, or due to not liking being petted. If cats have not been well socialised they may never accept petting and this needs to be respected. Provide plenty of toys and high places for cats to have time out.
7. Hunting behaviour – cats naturally display hunting behaviours and will kill wildlife. This is easily prevented by keeping cats indoors, which is also better for the cat as they will not get into fights with other cats or be hit by a car.
8. Excessive vocalisation – can be a normal behaviour in some breeds or a sign of a medical problem or anxiety.
9. Conflict in the household – many cats end up being relinquished because there are two or more cats that do not get on. Giving the cats different living spaces can work.
10. Cognitive dysfunction – like dogs, some cats can show signs similar to dementia (eg vocalising, inappropriate toileting) as they age
– Dr Susan Hazel is senior lecturer in animal behaviour, welfare and ethics, and program co-ordinator BSc (Animal Behaviour) in the School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Adelaide University.
TAMING THE TIGER: MAX THE CAT BURGLAR
Kate Johnson received “public nuisance letter” from the local council about her son’s 8-year-old bengal cat, Max, who she describes as a “cat burglar”.
“Apparently he would break into people’s houses and attack their pets and them,” Ms Johnson said.
“He is beautiful looking, but he sure is a jerk!”
The Kingswood family tried changing his diet, offering scratching posts and toys, and even moved from a unit to a big house with more room indoors, but he still takes any chance he gets to escape.
While dog attacks and other canine-related complaints tend to garner more headlines than cats – except endless council debates over cat bylaws – at least dogs are more easily trained to overcome their behavioural problems. Cats, as everyone knows, are more independent-minded.
Behaviour problems in cats can be treated, but some, like hunting and straying, are best solved by keeping them indoors.
Cat-run installers are run off their feet at the moment as more owners seek to confine their moggies, as The Advertiser recently reported.
They say motivation for owners is more often about keeping their pets safe than protecting other cats or native wildlife.
Sometimes it’s for compliance with council bylaws that have introduced cat curfews between certain hours, or prohibit cats from causing a nuisance.
Recurring cat complaints can also be addressed by councils under the Local Litter and Nuisance Act.
But the Dog and Cat Management Board says it is a good idea to discuss any problems about a neighbour’s cat with the owner first, as they might not be aware and they can then address it.
Behaviour problems are even harder to fix when cats have been mistreated.
When the RSPCA seized 118 ragdoll cats from appalling conditions at Lewiston in May last year, it was clear they would need a great deal of support before they could be offered for adoption.
“Most of these cats had never been handled,” a spokeswoman said.
“It took tonnes of patience from skilled ‘cat whisperers’ to coax these animals out of their shells. The physical harm caused by chronic neglect can often be fixed, but the psychological harm is much harder to overcome.”
A 66-year-old woman was later convicted in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on nine counts of ill-treatment of an animal and one count of failing to comply with the state’s Standards and Guidelines for Breeding and Trading Companion Animals.
Many cats went to foster homes before they were ready to find a long-term home.
Sheridan Grace initially provided foster care for Gus and documented his journey on Instagram, from the first moments cowering inside a crate, to accepting a pat only while under furniture, to the first time he gave her a gentle head-to-head bump.
She said when she returned him to the RSPCA shelter ready for adoption, she went home and “cried all weekend”, then decided to adopt him herself.
But he still won’t come out when there’s anyone new in the house.
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