Monday 18 March 2013

How to Prevent Canine Behaviour Problems



One of the primary reasons behind euthanasia of dogs is behavior problems. Every month hundreds if not thousands of dogs are euthanized or re -homed or abandoned due to canine behavioural problems. 

This leads to need for providing behavioural services by veterinarians. Providing behavioural services will benefit both pet and his owners, as it will improve the quality of life for dog and owner. Most behavioural problems lead to disrupt the bond and lead to reduction in pet ownership. Situation even gets worse when behavioural problems push the relationship at breaking point. In such a situation due to lack of appropriate advice the animal is re –homed or euthanized. 

In such condition role of veterinarians become so important in preventing canine behavior problems. Veterinarians should work closely with prospective owners in selecting the right breed. Inappropriate breed selection may lead to these behavioural problems which will result in early surrender of pets to rescue societies or at worse euthanasia of pet.

Advising clients on breed selection is a difficult job. Different breeds have different, more-or-less predictable behaviour characteristics. It is important to help prospective owners choose the breed or type of dog that will best suit their personal and family circumstances.  

A survey had been conducted by the Anthrozoology Institute at Southampton University. This survey is based on 49 most common breed of dogs according to certain traits and they divided the 49 breeds into eight groups depending on their scores on the three factors:
Aggressivity – a tendency to aggression and/or dominance.
Reactivity – which included demand for affection.
Immaturity – a tendency to remain puppy – like even when the dog is adult.

Canine Behavioural Problems

Canine Behaviour and Characteristics According to Dog Breed -

Group: 1
Characteristics: Aggressivity – high; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – low
Typical Breeds: Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman
Other Breeds: Bull Terrier

Group: 2
Characteristics: Aggressivity – high; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – high
Typical Breeds: Jack Russell, Corgi, Cocker Spaniel
Other Breeds: West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Fox Terrier, Border Collie

Group: 3
Characteristics: Aggressivity – average; Reactivity – low; Immaturity – low
Typical Breeds: British Bulldog, Chow
Other Breeds: Great Dane, Airedale

Group: 4
Characteristics: Aggressivity – average; Reactivity – high; Immaturity – low
Typical Breeds: Toy and Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua
Other Breeds: Papillon, Miniature and Standard Dachshunds, Pekingese, Lhasa, Apso, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu

Group: 5
Characteristics: Aggressivity – low; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – high
Typical Breeds: English and Irish Setters, English Springer Spaniel
Other Breeds: Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, Labrador, Boxer

Group: 6
Characteristics: Aggressivity – low; Reactivity – low; Immaturity – low
Typical Breeds: Greyhound, Basset Hound
Other Breeds: Whippet, English Pointer

Group: 7
Characteristics: Aggressivity – low; Reactivity – high; Immaturity – low
Typical Breeds: King Charles Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Other Breeds: Shetland Sheepdog

Group: 8
Characteristics: Aggressivity – average; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – average
Typical Breeds: Samoyed, Standard Poodle, Rough Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Miniature Schnauzer, Beagle, Border Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Scottish Terrier
Other Breeds: None

Note: - Breeds according to behavioural characteristics. 

We hope you would have got solutions to such dog problems. Get more solutions from our pet tips and try the natural herbal dog shampoo.