Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
Module 4 - Section - 2 - Questionnaires & PrePlanning Part 1
Module 4 - Section - 2 - Questionnaires & PrePlanning Part 1
Please read through below and once finished contact the office to arrange a Skype session.
This is where behaviour starts to get fun and you start to apply the knowledge you have gained and this, your next step is Questionnaires.
While training both Charmaine and Scotty went out with as many behaviourists as possible and we suggest you do the same. This was not just to increase our knowledge it was to observe how different people worked and to see what would suit us best, and we both ended up taking bits and pieces and finding our own way of working.
One of the conclusions that Scotty came to very quickly was that Questionnaires had to be part of the manner in which she worked and this was for Puppy School, Obedience Lessons and Behaviour problems.
Using a questionnaire first and foremost saves wasting the client’s time asking questions which could take well over an hour. It also allows us to really study the answers and see if there are any patterns or underlying causes of the behaviour – something you would not have time to do if the questions were answered at the consult.
Interestingly, it also highlights inconsistencies which you can question when with the client. Yes questions do still have to be asked, especially when you see the dog/s and the interactions, but having a full background allows you to keep these to a minimum and get on with the job you are there to do – changing the behaviour from the unacceptable to acceptable.
Aspects of the questionnaire are:-
What we also found as I was working is that one questionnaire is just not enough, especially with fear and reactive behaviour, With behaviours such as these there are normally further questions to ask, so having spearate questionnaires for specific situations and behaviour will make you more efficient.
You are now going to start learning how to analyse questionnaires and what you are going to be looking at are the following and this will always be done in a Summary format. These are the main points below and as you go through the questionnaire you can simply add in under the different points:-
What is the Behaviour Concern/s to be addressed? – The reason we are asking this is for you to look at the specifics that pertain to the behaviour concern. You will come across other concerns (or possible future concerns) and these you will look at (v) below to list them.
Keeping in mind the behaviour concern you were called in for helps to make you focused.
Possible factors contributing to the behaviour -Summary (one sentence on average) of what factors you believe contributed to the concern/s occurring. When presenting to client these can be combined
Aims - Summary (headings only) of your aims – this will be to change the behaviour and help you to remember what has to be done. Also easier to see what modifications will be needed. As mentioned above you can also have a heading for Improving Human/Canine Social Structure and Increasing Mental and Physical Stimulations if need be.
Behaviour modifications you would consider bringing in to achieve your aims – summary only. These are often related to the possible contributing factors for current behaviour and would be placed under the Aims.
Questions you would like to ask the client – summary for your own records.
Other behaviour aspects to be worked on of any areas you would suggest to client to work on at a later stage and why you believe these areas need to be worked on.
The one aspect we are not working on at this stage is the History - this will be dealt with in a separate section.
We find that putting a large red dot next to each area that incorporates any of the above is a help – one can instantly see areas easily. We have supplied a summary of the above at the end of the questionnaire to show you what it would look like when completed.
While training both Charmaine and Scotty went out with as many behaviourists as possible and we suggest you do the same. This was not just to increase our knowledge it was to observe how different people worked and to see what would suit us best, and we both ended up taking bits and pieces and finding our own way of working.
One of the conclusions that Scotty came to very quickly was that Questionnaires had to be part of the manner in which she worked and this was for Puppy School, Obedience Lessons and Behaviour problems.
Using a questionnaire first and foremost saves wasting the client’s time asking questions which could take well over an hour. It also allows us to really study the answers and see if there are any patterns or underlying causes of the behaviour – something you would not have time to do if the questions were answered at the consult.
Interestingly, it also highlights inconsistencies which you can question when with the client. Yes questions do still have to be asked, especially when you see the dog/s and the interactions, but having a full background allows you to keep these to a minimum and get on with the job you are there to do – changing the behaviour from the unacceptable to acceptable.
Aspects of the questionnaire are:-
- Behaviour Concern - We know according to client exactly what the behaviour modification/s to be tackled are. If client has listed multiple concerns this will allow you to ask which are the most important, as it may not be possible to tackle all in one consult. You are there to work with the concern/s the client has listed ONLY - do not get involved on additional points being brought in unless they are relevant to the behaviour problems you are working on. A second session can be arranged.
- Possible Reasons for the behaviour - you can gauge the possible reasons for the behaviour occurring. Not only does this give the client an understanding of same, it also awards you the opportunity of educating at the same time.
- What are your Aims? By both you and the client knowing exactly what you are aiming for will help formulate your modifications. Your aims will be simply to change the behaviour and this is where your will start your headings. On average you will have a heading for Improving Human/Canine Social Structure as on average this point always needs to be dealt with. Here you can put in your House Rules unless they pertain to a behaviour that needs to be changed. E.g. Dog is jumping up, so one of your aims will be Preventing Jumping Up. Here you would put in your Work to Earn – Specific. You can also have a separate heading such as Mental and Physical Stimulation and if daily walks, mental stimulation etc did not fit in under any of the other headings, they could go in here.
- Modifications - You can put together a rough plan of action you think you will bring into place based on what your Aims are – this may, and often does change once you have seen the situation. These will be placed under the headings for aims. This lets you know exactly where to place things and will save you a huge amount of time putting your report together.
- I find that reading through the questionnaire at least twice gives me the opportunity of more lateral thinking as to what could have caused the behaviour, ideas to help the dog, and there is no pressure of having a client in front of you – this can be done at your leisure.
- It allows you to make a list of points you would like to clarify or questions to be asked.
- You know what the breed of the dog is and also any other dogs. This assists you is learning more about the breeds before you see the client – this can help with possible reasons for the behaviour and also that of any other dogs, if they are part of the problem.
- Especially when starting your career as a behaviourist where you may be a bit nervous, it allows you to go in feeling more confident as you have done your homework. We I believe it gives a more professional appearance.
What we also found as I was working is that one questionnaire is just not enough, especially with fear and reactive behaviour, With behaviours such as these there are normally further questions to ask, so having spearate questionnaires for specific situations and behaviour will make you more efficient.
You are now going to start learning how to analyse questionnaires and what you are going to be looking at are the following and this will always be done in a Summary format. These are the main points below and as you go through the questionnaire you can simply add in under the different points:-
What is the Behaviour Concern/s to be addressed? – The reason we are asking this is for you to look at the specifics that pertain to the behaviour concern. You will come across other concerns (or possible future concerns) and these you will look at (v) below to list them.
Keeping in mind the behaviour concern you were called in for helps to make you focused.
Possible factors contributing to the behaviour -Summary (one sentence on average) of what factors you believe contributed to the concern/s occurring. When presenting to client these can be combined
Aims - Summary (headings only) of your aims – this will be to change the behaviour and help you to remember what has to be done. Also easier to see what modifications will be needed. As mentioned above you can also have a heading for Improving Human/Canine Social Structure and Increasing Mental and Physical Stimulations if need be.
Behaviour modifications you would consider bringing in to achieve your aims – summary only. These are often related to the possible contributing factors for current behaviour and would be placed under the Aims.
Questions you would like to ask the client – summary for your own records.
Other behaviour aspects to be worked on of any areas you would suggest to client to work on at a later stage and why you believe these areas need to be worked on.
The one aspect we are not working on at this stage is the History - this will be dealt with in a separate section.
We find that putting a large red dot next to each area that incorporates any of the above is a help – one can instantly see areas easily. We have supplied a summary of the above at the end of the questionnaire to show you what it would look like when completed.
Summary
Behaviour Concern as per Client
Snaps at big dog especially over food and toys
Possible Contributing Factors for the behaviour
(Combined from the questionnaire). Pups was adopted from a shelter and was an only pup. This leads us to believe that no early socialization or bite inhibition exercises were done and pup did not learn to share and did not attend puppy school. Additionally as Mitsi appeared to be starving, resources, such as owner, food, toys etc would have been of major importance, therefor Mitsi has become a resource guarder
Aims- these are what we want to achieve – and Modifications would be the ‘how to’As per the questionnaire:-
Aim - to raise the owner in the combined human/canine social structure which will make Mitsi feel more secure and reduce the resource guarding.
(Modifications - however in the report to client we would not call them modifications, rather at the end of the sentance above we would put in 'How we are going to ahieve this" and then list them as below. In the report these would become sub headings with full modifications for client.
( Considered Modifications – how we achieve our aims)
- House Rules (Ignoring, Attention, Work to Earn)
- Owners reactions and how this can impact
- Away exercise
- What to do if Mitsi ignores client
Aim - To stop the Resource guarding of owner, toys and food.
( Considered Modifications – how we achieve our aims)
- Bringing in one of the Avalon Pure Behaviour Spray – Resource Guarding and to also reduce stress
- Management of all resources – toys etc controlled by owner and given separately
- Dogs to be fed separately when Work to Earn finished
- Owner to become higher in social structure by Work to Earn- Specific - full day ration of food by hand where possible
- If other people in the home – they to take over majority of dogs care including above
- Swap Exercise
- Exercises for Dog on Dog Resource Guarding including food bowl exercises
- NRM to be brought in for resource guarding
- Possible Time Out if NRM does not work – dog may have to wear collar in house for a week or two when over home
Aim To increase dog’s mental, emotional and physical stimulation
( Considered Modifications – how we achieve our aims)
- Daily stimulation by way of at least 15 minute walks (as resource guarding toys/food etc, unless somebody else in house to put dog separate, cannot use for stimulation. If somebody else is then bring in.
- Two basic TTouches and Acupressure massage
Questions to ask client – We ask the majority of these at session unless it will make an impact on what we think I may bring in as modifications.
- We want to find out where the ‘snapping’ behaviour is concerned – has an actual bite happened. Also we want to find out the clients response – this will go in with notes on client’s interaction and reaction to behaviour.
- Is there anybody else living in the house? If so can this person take over part of the dogs care?
- Dog in bed – where does other dog sleep – is there any resource guarding here? If so then management would have to be brought in to prevent this by way of dog sleeping on floor. iv. Client says dog possessive over her – require full details
- Licking – Pica – recent or when started plus what does owner do when dog does this
- Client to elaborate on comment ‘not really’ for does dog pester for attention
- What does the ‘bulling’ of other dog consists of. Here I would set up a situation so I can see how serious the situation actually is.
Separation Anxiety – 2nd session with Alone Time Training definitely needed
Storm and Noise session
Possible session for rehab work to strange dogs
Assignment
Now try the questionnaire below by yourself. Don’t worry about being wrong, this is a major learning curve. These questionnaires are from client's so the spelling and grammar is not always perfect.
If you don’t know how to insert the red dots and comments – you can put your comments in red in the appropriate sections. You can print this out from the webpage or upload the pdf and then print out. If you are battling, please just contact us and we will email to you in Word format.
