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Readings in companion animal behavior
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
ELSEVIER
Applied Animal Behaviour
Science 56 (1998) 83-84
Book review Readings in Companion Animal Behavior, Victoria L. Voith and Peter L. Borchelt (editors), Veterinary Learning Systems, Trenton, New Jersey, 1996, 1st edn., 276 pp., US$5 1.OO (paperback), ISBN l-884254-23-3 (paperback).
This excellent book edited by Voith and Borchelt is a compilation of new and previously published papers by many different authors, and is intended to give a scientifically-based overview of the growing field of companion animal behaviour. The book focuses mainly on behaviour problems of companion dogs and cats, but also includes papers on equine behaviour problems and a single paper on captive primates. The book presents 30 papers divided into 8 sections. The first 4 sections are devoted to general subjects including the history of applied animal behaviour, the biological basis and ontogeny of behaviour, as well as temperament, history taking, learning, psychopharmacology, and endocrinology. The interesting paper by Coppinger and Coppinger on the biological basis of behaviour deals with the differential effects of domestication on the ontogenetic development of behaviour in different dog breeds. The paper argues that the domestic dog shows behaviour that is homologous to that of the juvenile wolf, not the adult wolf. However, the implications for behaviour problems in dogs are not elaborated. The papers on history-taking in a small animal practice are very useful because successful behaviour therapy requires a precise description of the behaviour problem, the circumstances in which it is displayed, the history and individual characteristics of the companion animal, as well as the household in which the animal lives. Furthermore, by standardizing their interview forms behaviour therapists are able to compare results and evaluate the effect of different forms of therapy. It is essential that all therapists designing behaviour modification programs understand the basic principles of learning. Consequently, the book presents 5 papers on learning. The paper on behaviour modification, obedience and agility training gives a good overview of the different forms of training procedures. The following paper on learning gives a relatively condensed but clear presentation of basic principles. A separate paper deals with punishment - a concept that is often misunderstood and misused in the popular literature. The paper on modification of unruly breeding behaviour in stallions might have been better placed in the sections on specific behaviour problems. 0168-1591/98/$19.00 Published PII SO168-1591(97)00058-O
by Elsevier Science B.V.
84
Book review
The paper on behavioural pharmacotherapy is condensed, but gives a good overview of psychopharmacologic agents commonly used in human medicine including their pharmacology and mode of action, side effects, and applications to behaviour problems in animals. It is emphasized that the therapist should develop a thorough knowledge of a few behaviourally active drugs rather than a less complete knowledge of many similar drugs. The paper on endocrinopathies is very condensed and probably the most difficult to read for non-veterinarians. The next 3 sections cover the most common problem areas in companion animal behaviour: (1) anxieties, fears, and stereotypies, (2) feeding and elimination, and (3) aggression. The papers provide good descriptions of the different forms of problem behaviour. These should help the therapist in establishing a proper diagnosis and selecting an appropriate therapy. In many of the papers it is emphasized that drugs should be used only temporarily to facilitate behaviour modification programs. However, because such programs require a time-consuming continuous evaluation by the therapist and may be difficult for some owners to implement, some therapists may be tempted to use an extended prescription of drugs. Therefore, a paper would have been welcome on the ethical aspects of adapting companion animals to modem human societies and the use of drugs to alter normal behaviour of companion animals. Other topics that might have merited separate chapters are the influence of human-animal relationships on behaviour problems, and preventive measures including puppy obedience classes. The final section includes 5 miscellaneous papers on canine and feline behaviour, environmental enrichment for captive primates, and euthanasia decisions for animals with behaviour problems. The paper on euthanasia discusses many considerations that may help the therapist in facilitating the owner’s decision to have a companion animal euthanized, for example when the animal poses a serious risk to family or strangers, when the animal itself is suffering, or when different forms of therapy have been unsuccessful. In conclusion, the book is well written, comprehensive and highly recommended for readers interested in companion animal behaviour. The book would also provide excellent reading for graduate students and undergraduates in applied animal behaviour. Because of its sound scientific basis, the book will be very useful for behaviour therapists and should be found in every small animal practice. JORGEN DAMKJER LUND Division of Ethology and Health Department of Animal Science and Animal Health Royal Veterinary and Agricultural Uniuersity DK-1870 Frederiksberg C (Copenhagen) Denmark
ELSEVIER
Applied Animal Behaviour
Science 56 (1998) 83-84
Book review Readings in Companion Animal Behavior, Victoria L. Voith and Peter L. Borchelt (editors), Veterinary Learning Systems, Trenton, New Jersey, 1996, 1st edn., 276 pp., US$5 1.OO (paperback), ISBN l-884254-23-3 (paperback).
This excellent book edited by Voith and Borchelt is a compilation of new and previously published papers by many different authors, and is intended to give a scientifically-based overview of the growing field of companion animal behaviour. The book focuses mainly on behaviour problems of companion dogs and cats, but also includes papers on equine behaviour problems and a single paper on captive primates. The book presents 30 papers divided into 8 sections. The first 4 sections are devoted to general subjects including the history of applied animal behaviour, the biological basis and ontogeny of behaviour, as well as temperament, history taking, learning, psychopharmacology, and endocrinology. The interesting paper by Coppinger and Coppinger on the biological basis of behaviour deals with the differential effects of domestication on the ontogenetic development of behaviour in different dog breeds. The paper argues that the domestic dog shows behaviour that is homologous to that of the juvenile wolf, not the adult wolf. However, the implications for behaviour problems in dogs are not elaborated. The papers on history-taking in a small animal practice are very useful because successful behaviour therapy requires a precise description of the behaviour problem, the circumstances in which it is displayed, the history and individual characteristics of the companion animal, as well as the household in which the animal lives. Furthermore, by standardizing their interview forms behaviour therapists are able to compare results and evaluate the effect of different forms of therapy. It is essential that all therapists designing behaviour modification programs understand the basic principles of learning. Consequently, the book presents 5 papers on learning. The paper on behaviour modification, obedience and agility training gives a good overview of the different forms of training procedures. The following paper on learning gives a relatively condensed but clear presentation of basic principles. A separate paper deals with punishment - a concept that is often misunderstood and misused in the popular literature. The paper on modification of unruly breeding behaviour in stallions might have been better placed in the sections on specific behaviour problems. 0168-1591/98/$19.00 Published PII SO168-1591(97)00058-O
by Elsevier Science B.V.
84
Book review
The paper on behavioural pharmacotherapy is condensed, but gives a good overview of psychopharmacologic agents commonly used in human medicine including their pharmacology and mode of action, side effects, and applications to behaviour problems in animals. It is emphasized that the therapist should develop a thorough knowledge of a few behaviourally active drugs rather than a less complete knowledge of many similar drugs. The paper on endocrinopathies is very condensed and probably the most difficult to read for non-veterinarians. The next 3 sections cover the most common problem areas in companion animal behaviour: (1) anxieties, fears, and stereotypies, (2) feeding and elimination, and (3) aggression. The papers provide good descriptions of the different forms of problem behaviour. These should help the therapist in establishing a proper diagnosis and selecting an appropriate therapy. In many of the papers it is emphasized that drugs should be used only temporarily to facilitate behaviour modification programs. However, because such programs require a time-consuming continuous evaluation by the therapist and may be difficult for some owners to implement, some therapists may be tempted to use an extended prescription of drugs. Therefore, a paper would have been welcome on the ethical aspects of adapting companion animals to modem human societies and the use of drugs to alter normal behaviour of companion animals. Other topics that might have merited separate chapters are the influence of human-animal relationships on behaviour problems, and preventive measures including puppy obedience classes. The final section includes 5 miscellaneous papers on canine and feline behaviour, environmental enrichment for captive primates, and euthanasia decisions for animals with behaviour problems. The paper on euthanasia discusses many considerations that may help the therapist in facilitating the owner’s decision to have a companion animal euthanized, for example when the animal poses a serious risk to family or strangers, when the animal itself is suffering, or when different forms of therapy have been unsuccessful. In conclusion, the book is well written, comprehensive and highly recommended for readers interested in companion animal behaviour. The book would also provide excellent reading for graduate students and undergraduates in applied animal behaviour. Because of its sound scientific basis, the book will be very useful for behaviour therapists and should be found in every small animal practice. JORGEN DAMKJER LUND Division of Ethology and Health Department of Animal Science and Animal Health Royal Veterinary and Agricultural Uniuersity DK-1870 Frederiksberg C (Copenhagen) Denmark