Shelter Dog Mod Squad: Identifying and Modifying Canine Behavior Problems

1. Which of the following is most important when training a jumpy mouthy dog?

The dog must sit in order to gain access to anything the dog wants.

Spray the dog with a spray bottle every time the dog tries to jump on you.

Limit the dog’s exercise so that the dog is more motivated for training sessions.

If the dog grabs your clothing or arm, yell at the dog to teach him to let go.

2. To limit liability risks to your shelter when adopting out a dog who is aggressive toward other dogs, you should:

Provide full disclosure about the dog’s behavior.

Attempt to ensure that the adopter is physically capable of handling and managing the dog.

Send the dog home with safety/training tools which allow the adopter to more easily manage the dog.

Follow-up with the adopter regularly, to ensure things are going smoothly in the home.

All of the above.

3. Essential components of the interview and counseling process of finding a home for a pet with a behavior problem is:

Making certain the adopter is an experienced animal trainer.

Making certain the adopter has previously owned a pet with this type of problem.

Minimizing the pet’s problem behavior so the adopter is encouraged to adopt the dog.

Making certain the adopter has realistic expectations of this pet’s likely behavior, once in their home.

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5. Important components of training staff to modify problem behavior include all of the following EXCEPT:

Learning about canine body language.

Learning about safe use of behavioral tools.

Teaching staff to objectively assess canine behavior.

Learning about basic principles of behavior modification.

Learning what breeds of dogs are predisposed to certain problem behaviors.

6. ________ is an adaptive physiological and behavioral response to a real threatening stimulus.

Fear

Panic

Phobia

Terror

Anxiety

7. When performing intake interviews with people relinquishing their pet, it is important to:

Record the conversation.

Ask yes/no questions whenever possible.

Ask open-ended questions whenever possible.

Stare at the person intently, to show them you are paying attention to the honesty of their answers.

8. Treating dogs who are fearfully aggressive toward people is BEST accomplished by:

Initially avoiding circumstances where aggression may occur.

Alpha rolling the dog every time the dog behaves aggressively.

Teaching the dog to stay in a down-stay whenever it is near people.

Exposing the (muzzled) aggressive dog to as many friendly people as possible, at the same time.

Using an aversive (prong collar, never physical punishment like hitting) every time the dog behaves aggressively.

9. For behavioral evaluations, reliability measures ___________ of results.

Validity

Truthfulness

Predictability

Consistency

Standardization

10. Which of the following medications is the best choice for providing short-term relief of anxiety?

Fluoxetine.

Buspirone.

Trazodone.

Clomipramine.

Acepromazine.

11. Which of the following is LEAST important, in terms of ensuring adequate shelter dog welfare?

Vaccinations.

Sanitary environment.

Positive reinforcement training.

Positive interaction with people.

The ability to eliminate away from their kennel/enclosure.