Sabtu, 26 April 2014
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Dog Psychology: Creating Positive Treatment Associations
A very early discovery about canine learning is the dog's tendency to generalize responses to strong stimuli. Therefore, the first stranger who must create stress and discomfort for a puppy, even if it is mild, can do a big favor for other strangers if the experience has a happy ending.
Most dogs tolerate veterinary treatment well; these dogs generally have an inhibitable type of nervous system and/or passive defense reflexes. However, the excitable and/or active defense reflex types may not tolerate treatment well can be a threat to the personal safety of those who must handle them. How can a veterinarian and staff members spot potential problem dogs and avoid the behavioral consequences of stimulus generalization? The solution lies in the practitioner's handling of the pet, and the client's behavior relative to treatment.
That dogs, and even people, can learn to tolerate painful stimuli is well known. If a painful stimulus is reinforced quickly with one that is strongly pleasant, the expected defense reactions are replaced by responses appropriate to the pleasant stimulus. Several veterinarians have put this principle into practice by sticking a doggy treat into their patient's mouth immediately after inoculations or treatment. This helps immediately replace a noxious stimulus (pain) with a positive stimulus (pleasant taste). Though not 100% effective, it has proved helpful.
However, the strongest forces acting on the pup or older dog commence well before treatment, and continue to affect the animal long afterward. These forces are social, emotional, and they are controlled for the most part by the pet's owner. For this reason, the owner's overall attitude toward the pup, its health, and veterinary care must be considered the primary determination in how a dog responds to veterinary treatment.
When an owner goes to a veterinary hospital with a dog that has just been hit by a car, the emotional prelude to treatment is usually steeped in concern, if not outright hysteria. Few clients have the insight to control their emotions in these situations - adopting the calm approach of a trained technician. In these cases it is generally wisest for the veterinarian to treat the injured pet without the owner present, thereby avoiding further emotional stimuli and their influence on the dog.
On the other hand, a dog or puppy experiencing its first visit for routine veterinary care can be conditioned to perceive the entire procedure as one of pleasure when properly handled by the owner. If, during the trip to and arrival at the hospital, waiting in the reception area, meeting the staff and veterinarian, during and (especially) following treatment, the owner is careful to display only happy behavior toward the pet and the external circumstances, the experience will be positive and socially rewarding for the dog. This behavioral routine is not easy for owners predisposed to overly sympathetic reactions toward the pet. However, when the importance of their behavioral example is explained, they usually comply.
Dog Psychology: Creating Positive Treatment Associations
A very early discovery about canine learning is the dog's tendency to generalize responses to strong stimuli. Therefore, the first stranger who must create stress and discomfort for a puppy, even if it is mild, can do a big favor for other strangers if the experience has a happy ending.
Most dogs tolerate veterinary treatment well; these dogs generally have an inhibitable type of nervous system and/or passive defense reflexes. However, the excitable and/or active defense reflex types may not tolerate treatment well can be a threat to the personal safety of those who must handle them. How can a veterinarian and staff members spot potential problem dogs and avoid the behavioral consequences of stimulus generalization? The solution lies in the practitioner's handling of the pet, and the client's behavior relative to treatment.
That dogs, and even people, can learn to tolerate painful stimuli is well known. If a painful stimulus is reinforced quickly with one that is strongly pleasant, the expected defense reactions are replaced by responses appropriate to the pleasant stimulus. Several veterinarians have put this principle into practice by sticking a doggy treat into their patient's mouth immediately after inoculations or treatment. This helps immediately replace a noxious stimulus (pain) with a positive stimulus (pleasant taste). Though not 100% effective, it has proved helpful.
However, the strongest forces acting on the pup or older dog commence well before treatment, and continue to affect the animal long afterward. These forces are social, emotional, and they are controlled for the most part by the pet's owner. For this reason, the owner's overall attitude toward the pup, its health, and veterinary care must be considered the primary determination in how a dog responds to veterinary treatment.
When an owner goes to a veterinary hospital with a dog that has just been hit by a car, the emotional prelude to treatment is usually steeped in concern, if not outright hysteria. Few clients have the insight to control their emotions in these situations - adopting the calm approach of a trained technician. In these cases it is generally wisest for the veterinarian to treat the injured pet without the owner present, thereby avoiding further emotional stimuli and their influence on the dog.
On the other hand, a dog or puppy experiencing its first visit for routine veterinary care can be conditioned to perceive the entire procedure as one of pleasure when properly handled by the owner. If, during the trip to and arrival at the hospital, waiting in the reception area, meeting the staff and veterinarian, during and (especially) following treatment, the owner is careful to display only happy behavior toward the pet and the external circumstances, the experience will be positive and socially rewarding for the dog. This behavioral routine is not easy for owners predisposed to overly sympathetic reactions toward the pet. However, when the importance of their behavioral example is explained, they usually comply.
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