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- Positive Human Leadership- |
Defining Behavior Modification terms
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It's
important
that you
know what to
expect
during your
pet's
behavioral
treatment
plan. You
will be an
important
factor in
your pet's
success.
Here are a
few terms
that need
further
explanation
to help you
participate
in this
program.
Extinction
Burst
--
When a
pet has
learned
a
behavior
and been
rewarded
in the
past,
and the
pet
parent
now
ignores
it,
the pet
often
intensifies
the
behavior
trying
to get
the
expected
result.
The pet
has a
hard
time
accepting
the new
reality
where
that
behavior
no
longer
works
(produces
the
expected
effect
or
outcome),
The
increase
of a
behavior
before
it
phases
out is
called
an
extinction
burst.
Be
prepared
for
behaviors
to get
worse
before
they get
better.
Triggers
--
Anything
you can
identify
that
causes your
pet to
show
unwanted
behaviors,
is
called a
trigger.
Use a
behavioral
diary to
keep
notes on
how your
pet
responds
to you
and the
environment.
All
episodes
of
unwanted
behavior
should
be noted
with an
observation
of what
happened
just
before
that
behavior.
Markers
--
Pets
tell us
with
their
body
language
how they
are
reacting
or
responding
to a
"trigger".
For
example,
when the
dog sees
a cat,
it's
eyes
dilate,
lip
curls
up,
teeth
are
bared,
ears
come
forward,
fur on
the back
and tail
goes up
which
are all
signs of
impending
aggression.
You will
learn
how to
better
identify
anxiety,
agitation,
aggression,
relaxation,
contentment
by
reading
your
pet's
body
language
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Try
to give any command only
once, then insist on compliance.
If necessary, go to the
dog and gently move his
body into position while
repeating the command. |
Mass
Effect
--
To help
you get
faster
results,
a key
strategy
in a
behavioral
treatment
plan is
to
"throw
the
book" at
the
problem
and
cover
all
possible
bases
that may
help to
improve
the
behavior.
This
mass
effect
strategy
may
include
using
medications,
behavior
modification,
and
manipulating
the
environment.
Plateau
Stage
--
A
"Plateau"
stage
is
when
the
problem
appears
to
be
resolved
for
a
set
period
of
time.
This
stage
typically
occurs
after
implementing
the
"mass
effect."
The
problem
is
now
under
control,
with
all
existing
recommendations in
effect.
After
a
set
period
of
time,
typically
30
days
to
50
days,
the
test
is
to
remove
one
treatment
strategy
at a
time
so
see
if
there
is a
relapse
in
the
pet's
behavior.
The
Duration
of
this
plateau
period
is
determined
by
the
original
frequency
of
the
problem,
and
the
difficulty
in
achieving
the
successful
outcome.
Successful Outcome -- A successful outcome is defined differently for each case, based on the Pet Behavior History Analysis. It is up to the pet parent and the Veterinary Behavior Consultant to define what is acceptable. The higher the bar for the definition, the lower the prognosis percentage. If the client's expectations are not reasonable, then pursuing treatment and case management may not be worth it.Example: Cat has 2 to 3 urinations/day outside of the litterbox to start. If the "successful outcome" is defined as, "uses the box 90% of the time, not using the box 3/month, then the prognosis may be 80% chance of meeting this goal. If the goal is not using the box no more than 1/month, the prognosis drops to 40% likelihood of success. If the successful outcome is defined as, "no further accidents" during the behavioral treatment period, it may not be realistic to proceed.
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