Punitive measures should be the last resort

Recently, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), issued a position statement and guidelines on the use of punishment for disciplining animals, in response to reality TV shows like "The Dog Whisperer".

Currently airing on the National Geographic Channel in the US, the dog whisperer, Cesar Millan - touted as the "Dr Phil for dogs" - goes around rehabilitating problematic dogs with his unique disciplinary techniques.

The AVSAB acknowledges that "punishment can be effective in specific cases, but it must be used carefully due to the difficulties of performing it properly compared to positive reinforcement and due to its potential adverse effects".

Punishment, it cautions, "should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals".

At the moment, we are editing a podcast by Dr Uwe Gerecke about behavioral products for companion animals.

He says that behavioral problems in companion animals are acquired disorders, which occur as a reaction to inappropriate husbandry conditions, isolation or deprivation of social interaction.

But he also points out that what the owners perceive as behavioral problems are probably not problems at all, but simply a normal behavior for the species. Cats like to mark their territories and dogs like to chew on things.

"Owners's expectations have changed over the last 30 years, and consequently changing the lifestyles of especially pet dogs and cats," he explains. "Many companion animals today have little opportunity to express their normal repertoire of social reproductive and hunting behavior. As a result of this, many owners have no idea what the normal repertoire of the respective species really is."

Dr Gerecke's take on the use of drugs is pretty similar to that of the AVSAB's.

Only resort to these measures after an accurate diagnosis on the underlying behavioural problem, and if the owners, with the help of the vets, have a good idea about the safety of drugs chosen.

Note: Dr Uwe Gerecke also did a podcast on Nutraceuticals in the Animal Health Industry for Animal Pharm.