Description: This book provides up-to-date information about animal behavior as well as practical advice on how veterinary practice professionals can manage undesirable animal behavior and give down-to-earth, appropriate and trusted advice to owners. This book: covers the important aspects of behavior in dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents, parrots and birds, as well as how this behavior has adapted to the domestic environment; discusses the role of the veterinary practice in improving the emotional experience of animals attending the veterinary practice, including practice design, socialization classes for young animals and effective communication with owners; and covers the clinical decision-making process in managing the signs of undesirable behavior, appropriately handling pets in the practice to minimize distress, as well as: behavioral first aid, referral to a specialist, medical influences on behavior and decisions about euthanasia.
Brief description: Rachel is Director of Canine Behaviour and Research at Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog charity. She is a RCVS and an EBVS(R) European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine and an EBVS(R) European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare, Science, Ethics and Law. She has research interests in canine welfare science, including identification of risk factors for undesired behaviours. Rachel also oversees community programmes aimed at preventing behaviour problems, and the behavioural rehabilitation of dogs in rehoming centres.