Zoopsychology

It is easier to prevent problems in a timely manner than to correct them later. According to a study conducted in the United States, 68% of owners face behavioral problems within the first month after acquiring a puppy, 20% return the puppies within the first two weeks, and in 90% of cases, the reason for return is behavioral issues. Therefore, it is important to seek consultation early to determine how suitable the planned breed is for you and what its needs are (often unmet needs are one of the causes of future problems), how to prepare your home, how to properly socialize and train the puppy, and what is necessary to raise a healthy dog and live many happy years with it.

When preparing to get a kitten, it would also be valuable to find time for preparation and consultation with a specialist. Traditionally, cats are treated with less responsibility than dogs, but in recent decades, many studies and new approaches have emerged that can significantly improve the welfare of house cats. A happy, calm cat will contribute to peace and happiness in the family.

If a puppy or kitten suddenly appears in your home, for example, taken from the street, these animals often have health problems that need to be addressed by visiting a veterinary clinic. Remember that all changes can cause great stress to the animal, which will later affect its behavior. Therefore, in such cases, it is important to start working with a behavioral specialist as early as possible, in parallel with the treatment.

• Plan where in your apartment or house the pet will have its designated space and what equipment is needed to make this space safe and functional;
• Consider in advance how you will feed your pet;
• Plan the daily and sleep routine, understand how much and what kind of activities (physical and mental) your pet will need, and how much rest they will require;
• Recognize that arriving in a new home will be stressful for the animal and think about how to reduce this stress;
• Learn about the specific needs of your future pet, considering its breed, age, and previous living conditions.

All dogs and cats in any shelter, even the best ones, experience stress. One manifestation of this stress is called freezing or immobility. In this state, the animal exhibits absolute obedience, which is often mistakenly interpreted as a normal state, good behavior, and a healthy psyche. However, this is a significant mistake, as these animals are the most likely to develop severe behavioral disorders. To ensure proper adaptation of shelter animals, the help of a behavioral specialist is absolutely necessary.

For example, if the dog was not properly trained previously or was trained without good results. By using modern humane training methods and Scandinavian approaches in dog training and welfare, there is an opportunity to improve your relationship with your dog and its behavior in various life situations. Since each family has a different situation depending on the personalities of both the dog and the people, an individualized training program is created.

This four-week course consists of a dog welfare diagnosis and three in-person sessions in any city district by agreement. Before each session, there will be a brief preparation or theoretical part online. The program includes: basics of stress and principles of anti-stress measures to maintain the dog’s mental well-being in any environment, fundamentals of “happy walks,” learning comfortable communication methods between humans and dogs, principles of conflict-free interactions between dogs and avoidance of obstacles, and the dog’s ability to relax when the human is resting (e.g., in a café).

The basic program consists of a situation diagnosis, a brief theoretical material study online, and a practical session in any city district by agreement. If there are specific behavioral issues, such as the dog pulling on the leash, attacking other dogs, or not behaving as you would like, we will work on resolving these problems. Often, “bad” behavior is related to the dog’s elevated stress level, which arises from other areas of life. In such cases, we will delve into the situation and try to change it, thereby also changing the dog’s behavior. The number of sessions/training required depends on the specific situation.

In recent decades, the role of dogs and cats in families has changed, and many people have come to understand that their pets are individuals with their own personalities and needs. Modern science on animal behavior helps build relationships based on understanding and respect, thereby improving the quality of life for both animals and humans. A consultation with a specialist can help determine if all of your pet’s needs are being met, if it experiences stress in daily conditions, and what modern methods are available to ensure a long and happy coexistence.

The service includes a pet welfare diagnosis, preparation of recommendations, and two weeks of support for implementing them in daily life online. If practical sessions/training are necessary, additional meetings will be scheduled.

For Dogs:

– Pulling on the leash, making calm walks impossible;

– Showing aggression towards other animals or people;

– Urinating or defecating indoors;

– Barking excessively;

– Unauthorized hunting of other animals;

– Causing damage in the home;

– Biting family members;

– Itching or any other chronic skin problems;

– Intense licking or grooming, damaging fur and skin;

– Chronic gastrointestinal problems;

– Regularly chasing their tail;

– Chasing invisible insects;

– Not wanting to be left alone at home;

– Disobeying the owner;

– Frequently running away;

– Fears and phobias (e.g., fear of loud noises);

– Conflicts with other pets;

– Any other behavior that seems incomprehensible, strange, or incorrect.

For Cats:

– Urinating or defecating outside the litter box;

– Scratching, biting, or attacking people;

– Not getting along with other pets;

– Scratching furniture or wallpaper;

– Meowing excessively;

– Causing damage in the home;

– Constant fearfulness;

– Self-injury (intense licking, pulling out fur, damaging skin);

– Any other behavior that seems incomprehensible, strange, or incorrect.