Who is a zoopsychologist and when should you contact him

Who is a zoopsychologist and what does he do

Zoopsychology studies the mental aspect of animal activity. It is closely intertwined with ethology - the science of their behavior. In Russia, there are no specific educational institutions where future zoopsychologists are trained. This specialty can only be mastered in courses, already being a veterinarian or dog handler.

The mission of a zoopsychologist is to protect the owners and their pets from problems. Help to establish contact and understand the causes of anomalies in the behavior of the animal, to find the source stress and get rid of it to make life with a four-legged friend more comfortable and easier.

In addition, a specialist can share recommendations for the care and maintenance of a pet, tell about stages of accustoming to walks and a tray, trips, prepare people for the appearance of a dog or cat in the house. Especially if these are puppies or kittens, which are restless at first.

Which animals most often need the help of a zoopsychologist?

First of all, these are animals that were taken from shelters, especially dogs. It is harder for them to adapt to new conditions, schedule and rhythm of life. Therefore, when taking a dog from a kennel, try to consult with a zoopsychologist. It will help to find contact, monitor the behavior of the animal and correct it if necessary.

Cats adopted from a shelter can also have problems - for example, getting used to the litter box. They can also peel wallpaper, mark territory, and behave aggressively towards their owners. In such situations, the help of a zoopsychologist will also not be superfluous.

Concerning domestic dogs, then severe stress in them can cause an attack by another animal during a walk. After that, there may be a fear of the street and communication with other pets. This is bad: animals of the same species must interact with each other.

A zoopsychologist will help the dog begin to perceive other individuals calmly and even play with them.

An animal behavior specialist may be needed if the owner has died and the dog or cat has begun to feel miserable. The same behavior can manifest itself when several animals live in the family and one of them dies, and the related relative becomes depressed. A zoopsychologist will definitely help your pet survive stress.

What to do before visiting a zoopsychologist

If you are concerned about any of the animal behavior, first you need to visit a veterinarian and undergo a complete medical examination: examination, tests, ultrasound. This will help rule out diseases that may affect it. If the pet is healthy, but questions still remain, then you should make an appointment with a zoopsychologist.

Below we have listed the most common situations that may be the reason for contacting a specialist.

What dog behavior can be corrected by a zoopsychologist

Diaper training problems

Not every puppy can quickly get used to the diaper. If the owners have thoughts that this process is dragging on and they are doing something wrong, you can contact a zoopsychologist.

The specialist will tell you exactly how the owner should act. For example, under no circumstances should he scold a dog for being unclean.

Before the puppy appears in the house, you need to cover one room with absorbent diapers. He must spend most of his time here. It is worth letting him out for a walk around the rest of the home only when the owner can watch him.

At the same time, you need to monitor the behavior of the pet - as a rule, dogs begin to sniff strongly, spin around themselves before going to the toilet. Noticing this, it is worth taking the puppy to the diaper.

Any sign of attention to it should be encouraged, and any slip should be ignored.

In the rest apartments or at home, it is better to remove any carpets for a while, as the puppy may not yet distinguish them from diapers. In general, it is worth showing patience in this matter.

Aggressive fight for food

Food aggression is not a form of dominant behavior. Most often, it is a sign of fear, low self-esteem of the dog, a consequence of negative experiences with previous owners, as well as a reaction to a new animal in the house.

Such aggression can manifest itself suddenly when the owner approaches the pet at the time of eating. In this case, the animal may growl, bark, try to bite, look menacingly, or even rush, as if saying: "Go away, don't touch."

The zoopsychologist will explain that in no case should you take away food. First, it's dangerous. Secondly, it harms the relationship with the pet.

Also, you can not punish the dog for such behavior. Thus, the owner, as it were, confirms the fears: the animal warnedand the man got even angrier. The stronger the punishment, the more aggression the pet will show in the future.

In addition, a zoopsychologist will help you choose the right behavior strategy. So, a specialist may advise demonstrating "dog" signals of reconciliation: freeze, look away, wait until the animal is silent. After that, praise, give a treat.

Another option is to start giving the animal only half of the portion, and the second part in the process. meals toss in a bowl piece by piece. At the same time, it is important to stack food, almost without stopping near the dining dog and without looking straight ahead. Also, avoid overhanging postures. Thus, a new association is fixed: the host approaches to give food, not to take it away.

With some dogs, you have to start the exercise with a completely empty bowl so that all the food gets out of the hands of the owner.

Aggression towards other animals while walking

Dogs are carnivores, so aggression and fighting with other animals is normal for them. Also, a similar reaction may occur due to isolation from representatives of their own species. At the sight of a potential rival, the dog will attempt to attack him.

It is completely impossible to eradicate zooaggression, however, a specialist can advise methods to correct the dog's behavior.

For example, he will tell you that the socialization of a puppy should be carried out among like themselvesX. If the dog is afraid of other animals, then you should not try to save him from communicating with them and isolate him. So the problem will not be solved.

You can use the method of counterconditioning to change the emotional perception of the situation or object - other dogs. For example, when a dog appears on the horizon during a walk, you can treat your pet with a treat. In this way, dogs will gradually become associated with something pleasant.

Before starting work, the animal psychologist may also suggest the use of sedatives for animals to relieve arousal.

The problem of adapting to the street

Such a problem can occur with any dog, and especially with one that most of the time spends at home. Many owners believe that walking animals is not necessary or should be done as little as possible. Dogs are accustomed to a diaper and a tray, and as a result, the pet actually runs wild due to the fact that he does not see the world around him.

The zoopsychologist must convey to the owner that the quality of the pet's socialization depends on the frequency of contact with the person and the outside world. He may advise you to walk more often, while changing routes, ride public transport with your dog, visit a veterinarian, a groomer to broaden your pet's horizons. And also explain how to do it gradually, without injuring the animal once again.

Difficulties with separation

Separation anxiety occurs when a dog is overly anxious. separation with the owner. The animal can become very restless, and this is reflected in his behavior.

For example, a dog cannot remain alone in a room, sleeps restlessly, jumps up and follows any movement of the owner, constantly follows him around the apartment, scratching and barking if the door to the room closed. Also, the animal may exhibit destructive repetitive behavior: the pet moves in a circle or from side to side, injures itself - gnaws its paws, tail - without noticing pain.

Another indicator of separation anxiety is damage to property in the apartment when the owners are not at home.

It is also worth paying attention to constantly rapid breathing, increased salivation, refusal to eat in the absence of owners.

A zoopsychologist can help solve this problem. Weaning from the persecution of the owners should occur gradually - literally in steps. For example, for starters, a person should start to sit on the couch away from the dog. Then - calmly and slowly get up and hide from the pet's visibility zone. Over time, you need to increase the duration of your absence.

In this learning process, it is important praise the dog if she is left alone for a while, and offer treats after the owner returns to the room. At the same time, you should speak calmly and slowly. You need to be patient and do this exercise until the desired effect is achieved - when the dog will be calmly left alone.

What behavior of a cat can be corrected by a zoopsychologist

Aggression towards hosts during games

It can be caused by various reasons - from possessive instincts to redirected aggression. When an animal is not able to respond to a situation, another pet, or something that made him nervous, then he breaks down on the one who is closer - the owner.

Cats and cats can begin to behave this way during hormonal surges. Nervous wagging of the tail, dilated pupils, hissing can indicate this. The cat hides in a corner, clings to the ground and literally throws itself at the owners from every corner.

To solve this problem, the animal psychologist may advise first of all to give up the desire to punish.

Cats never do anything for nothing.

By their behavior, they either demonstrate natural instincts, or try to to report about the problem. Overreacting to this behavior will not frighten the animal, but rather reinforce it.

The specialist can offer several ways out of this situation. For example, distract the cat with a fishing rod, do not allow yourself to be bitten, stop pulling your hands towards the animal that has been played out, and so on.

Problems with litter box training

This is the most common deviation in the behavior of domestic cats and it can occur at any age. Kittens urinate in the wrong place, simply because they don't know how and where to do it.

But in adult animals, unsuccessful trips to the toilet may indicate problems with healthTherefore, first of all, the owner needs to show the pet to the veterinarian. If he concludes that there are no physiological abnormalities, the next step may be to contact a zoopsychologist.

The specialist will figure out what exactly is bothering the cat, and tell you how to deal with the problem. For example, the case may be in the wrong tray size. An adult animal is clearly not suitable for a product for babies, and a six-week-old baby is unlikely to be able to master a tray with high sides designed for adult cats.

Also, a zoopsychologist will tell you how to accustom a pet to a tray. And he will also explain to the owner that this process is not always fast, so you should be patient and give the animal time.

uncleanliness

For example, when a cat walks past the tray, but at the same time next to it or chooses a place that was not assigned to it.

It may be associated with puberty, a change hormonal background, diseases of the genitourinary system. Thus, the cat is trying to demonstrate that she is ill.

Also, such behavior may indicate stress caused by the appearance of a new family member or another pet - the animal is trying to block their smells with its marks. Well, or everything can be even simpler: a tray or filler is not suitable for a cat. Because of this, she begins to “walk past” and dirty the doors.

In such situations, it is better to immediately turn to specialists: first, to veterinarian, then, if necessary, to a zoopsychologist.

Self-diagnosis of problems is often a "finger hit in the sky."

The owner of the pet can find a similar case on the Internet, try to solve problem with the help of the advice of "experts" and get a zero result, since the reason was different.

By contacting a specialist, you can save time (sometimes precious), as timely treatment and behavior correction can quickly solve the problem.

Damage to furniture

claws play a very important role in the life of a cat: they are necessary for survival and communication with the outside world. From time to time, the pet has to sharpen them. But he can do it in inappropriate places. Upholstered furniture usually suffers, on which the owner and the cat itself sleep or often sit: sofas and beds, armchairs, dining chairs. Also, the animal may be attracted to wallpaper and other wall coverings, door frames, laundry baskets, and more.

The reasons why a cat spoils them can be different: from fighting for territory to getting rid of stress. It can be difficult to cope with such behavior on your own - it is better to consult a specialist.

The zoopsychologist will find an individual approach to the cat and tell you exactly how to act. For example, if the house does not scratching posts, he will certainly advise the owners to purchase it. He may also advise temporarily covering the furniture with a material that cannot be caught on. And glue the torn wallpaper, as protruding pieces of paper provoke vandalism.

In addition, the specialist will tell you that you do not need to scold the cat for spoiled things. Ignore bad behavior and encourage good behavior, such as giving treats when your cat uses a scratching post. It is also worth diversifying the life of a pet: add more intellectual games and puzzles and make sure that he is comfortable at home.

How a zoopsychologist can make pets friends

Often there are situations when in a family where one animal already lives, hosts decide to get someone else. However, increasing the number can lead to a lot of problems. Especially when the first pet is already an adult: a new friend can cause jealousy, anger and aggression. And in this case, the help of a zoopsychologist can be more than ever helpful.

Consider this example: the owners already have a dog, and they decide to take the cat off the street. The specialist will tell you how to "make friends" with new neighbors. For example, he may advise you to start accustoming the dog to the “yes - food” command.

It works like this. The owner says yes and gives the dog a treat. You can sit on the floor, put food nearby, call your pet, put on a leash and fix it in order to control possible jerks towards the cat.

For cats but you need to prepare a place at a safe height from which he can see the dog, but remain untouched. For her, too, it is worth preparing a treat. Eye contact of pets is best stopped immediately.

Acquaintance and rapprochement of animals should take place gradually, so you should be patient.

The exercise should be repeated until the cat and dog begin to calmly react to each other. Until that time, it is best to make sure that they are not left alone.

When the Animal Psychologist Can't Help

An animal psychologist is powerless when bad behavior is due to health problems. If animal experiencing pain, spasms, hormonal surges, behavioral correction will not help. In these cases, medical treatment by a veterinarian is necessary.

Also, a lot depends on the owners - their understanding and desire to work on the behavior of the animal. Unfortunately, quite often the owners do not follow the plan for its correction and after a while apply again.

During the next meeting, it turns out that no recommendations from the methodology for proper communication with animals have been implemented. In such situations, the zoopsychologist is powerless.