To translate the above instructions into reality, a few basic instructions for clients are often quite useful.
1. Once the triggers for unwanted behavior have been identified, they need to be avoided unless the intensity is controlled and the pet is being taught to avoid responding to them. Avoidance can take many forms; to increase compliance the practitioner should discuss several options for doing so and then work on making it easy to implement.
2. Not all pets need to be in all places. If a pet has routinely shown discomfort or unwanted behavior in a situation or location, it should be avoided. Giving the owner permission to leave the dog at home (versus being in situations where unwanted responses occur, such as going to soccer games, the store, or outdoor cafe) or to confine the pet during certain situations is essential.
3. Simple control devices can work wonders. Leashes, head collars, body harnesses, crates, and baby gates all allow us to control where the pet is and often what they do.
4. Focus on the new behavior: It is much more productive to spend time discussing what the pet should do rather than focusing on what the pet should stop doing. This allows a program to be tailored to each individual situation.
5. Having basic control commands is key. Commands can vary with each individual pet; remember, commands provide clarity about what to do, but may or may not change the underlying emotional state.
6. Change is slow. Help the client understand how to assess changes in behavior. Will it be a change in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a problem behavior? And remind the client that the behavior may not go away entirely but, instead, be more controllable. There will always be situations in which an animal is at risk for repeating unwanted responses.
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Changing problem behaviors can be accomplished much more easily when the pet owner understands basic principles of behavior and can look at the situation from the animal’s perspective. In addition, if owners understand the specifics of behavior techniques and how to handle inevitable setbacks, they will have the tools to create positive outcomes for both themselves and their pets.