Behavior Problem Solving Flashcards

A dog suddenly becomes destructive and house-soiling after a household move. The most likely cause is:

Answer: Stress from environmental change

Dogs do not act out of spite; abrupt environmental changes commonly cause stress-related behaviors.

Which is a sign that a dog's aggression may have a medical rather than behavioral root?

Answer: Sudden aggression coinciding with pain when touched

New aggression linked to being touched in a painful area suggests a medical issue requiring a vet check.

The best way to interrupt mounting behavior in a socially excited dog is to:

Answer: Calmly redirect to an incompatible command like 'sit'

Redirecting to an incompatible behavior such as sit calmly interrupts mounting without escalating arousal.

A dog fearful of thunderstorms paces and hides. A helpful management tool is:

Answer: Providing a safe den and using desensitization to recorded sounds

A safe space plus gradual sound desensitization helps a storm-phobic dog cope over time.

What is the primary risk of using a shock collar to stop barking?

Answer: It can create fear and aggression through painful associations

Pain-based tools can cause fearful or aggressive fallout and damage trust.

A dog that nips during play needs to learn:

Answer: Bite inhibition through play stopping when teeth touch skin

Ending play the moment teeth contact skin teaches the dog to control mouth pressure.

Which describes 'trigger stacking'?

Answer: Multiple stressors accumulating until the dog reacts

Trigger stacking is the buildup of several stressors that pushes a dog past its coping threshold.