Demystifying Dog Behaviour for the Veterinarian

The behaviour textbook that's been missing! - Dr Mandy Roshier, University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, UK

This practical guide for busy veterinarians demystifies the apparently complex nature of canine behaviour while simultaneously emphasising its importance. Authored by acclaimed veterinary behaviour consultant Kendal Shepherd, the book provides practical knowledge of dog behaviour and an understanding of how to talk about it with clients. Shepherd shows how this can enhance the relationship between owner and pet and between dog and environment, including the vet surgery, as well as improve the vet’s own sense of fulfilment and enjoyment of practice.

From a discussion on the true nature of obedience to stressing the importance of behavioural indicators when assessing pain and mental welfare and finally by reminding vets of their obligations under Dangerous Dogs legislation, the emphasis is on the prevention of aggression throughout.

Packed with anecdotes drawn from real-life cases, easy to read and understand, the principles explained can be effortlessly assimilated into the average consultation without the need for lengthy report-writing.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

PART 1 - Dogs and vets

Chapter 1. What is a dog?

Chapter 2. Do’s and don’t’s of behaviourally aware general practice

Chapter 3. ‘Do as I do’

Chapter 4. What is obedience?

PART 2 – Dogs and owners

Chapter 5. The Ladder of Aggression

Chapter 6. How to ‘speak client’

Chapter 7. Avoiding conflict

i. Between dog and human

ii. Between humans

Chapter 8. The wisdom of children

Chapter 9. The educational value of analogy

Chapter 10. Walking a mile in a client’s moccasins

PART 3 – Dogs and the law

Chapter 11. Vets and the law

Chapter 12. Legal cases to illustrate behavioural principles

    Overdependence on physical control

    Misunderstanding of obedience

    Significance of veterinary history

    Bad human behaviour

    Redirected aggression

    Misdirected play

    Conflict with police

Chapter 13. The dilemma dogs face

Post-script

Reviews

    Demystifying Dog Behaviour for the Veterinarian is a down-to-earth handbook designed to firstly help veterinarians understand their canine patients by seeing the world from the dog’s perspective, and secondly how to safely and humanely handle them. Kendal debunks all the common detrimental myths on dog behaviour including the dreaded dominant dog concept. This well-referenced text is chock-full of practical tips and anecdotes from Kendal’s wealth of case-studies (as a veterinarian, behaviour veterinarian and expert legal witness for the UK courts) to help the busy veterinary practitioner. A must read for all vets truly interested in safeguarding the welfare of the dog.

    -- Valerie Jonckheer-Sheehy, EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine, Head of Behaviour and Welfare IVC Evidensia, The Netherlands

    The behaviour textbook that's been missing! An extremely valuable resource for the first opinion veterinary professional, at all stages of their career and training. Kendal provides welcomed illumination on this topic using a unique combination of shared life experiences from her perspectives as an early career vet, through to veterinary behaviourist and expert witness work, with case-based accounts, and references to just the right amount of theory. Essential tools are provided to aid vets in their canine observations and interactions, helping support their clients, and promote the mental health component of welfare. Although aimed at vets, this accessible text has many transferable messages and practical advice, and will appeal to a wider audience whose interest is in enhancing their canine understanding.

    -- Dr Mandy Roshier, Associate Professor in Anatomy and Behaviour, University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, UK

    Demystifying Dog Behaviour for the Veterinarian not only reflects on best veterinary handling of dogs, but makes owners consider how they can help their dogs too. It's refreshing for the author to use references, but also acknowledge how the veterinarian’s handling methods might change as their experience and understanding advances. Well worth a read!

    -- Chelsie Bailey, BSc Animal Behaviour & Welfare Science, UK

    Kendal brings her wealth of experience as a veterinarian, clinical animal behaviourist and legal expert to this book, which is a must read highly accessible text for any veterinarian in general practice. The excellent use of illustrations, analogies and anecdotes leads the reader form the background of dog-human interactions, through to practical tips on managing dogs in veterinary practice. The inclusion of case reports provides contextual relevance to further add to the practical use of this book which will make any practitioner more behaviourally aware and thus improve the welfare of the dogs under our care.

    -- Kevin J. McPeake, BVMS PGDip(CABC) PhD AFHEA CCAB DipECAWBM(BM) MRCVS, EBVS®, European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine, Lecturer in Clinical Animal Behaviour, UK

Dr. Kendal Shepherd, BVSc., MRCVS, qualified from Bristol University in 1978. With extensive experience in small animal practice, she was the first veterinary surgeon to be accredited by ASAB as a certificate clinical animal behaviourist in 2005. She is heavily involved in the behavioural assessment of dogs under both sections 1 and 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and also accepts instruction in welfare cases. Her particular interests are: promoting the need for vet/medic co-operation in thorough and expert investigation of all dog bite incidents, including fatalities, the routine education of children regarding dog bite prevention; and the encouragement of all veterinary professionals to routinely safeguard the behaviour of their patients in all the cases that they treat.