Animal Behaviour Clinic
The Animal Behaviour Clinic was established in 1994 by Dr Orla Doherty as an animal behaviour referral, consultancy and education provider dedicated to improving understanding of animal behaviour and welfare and investigating and resolving problem behaviours in a range of animal species. The behaviour of a dog, cat or horse is governed by many factors. Our job, at the Animal Behaviour clinic, is to assist owners in arriving at a better understanding into the behaviour of the animals they are working or living with, and also, the impact of the owners interactions on the animal’s behaviour.
In advance of attending the Animal Behaviour Clinic, your vet will help to identify and advise on any clinical problems that might be influencing your animals undesirable behaviours. Once all health issues have been ruled out, we at the Behaviour Clinic will help you resolve the problems that you are struggling with in your cat, dog or horse.
Dogs And Cats
What type of behaviour problems does the animal behaviour clinic address in dogs?
Aggression, both towards family members but also strangers, other dogs in the household and other dogs encountered while on walks. Aggression is a serious problem, and is of particular concern where there are children or elderly people within the household, as the risk of injury is high.
Barking excessively, also whining / howling. This is a particular problem in suburban areas, as neighbours often become annoyed, and relationships between neighbouring households are put under pressure.
Indoor soiling Most dogs can be successfully toilet trained. However indoor soiling is a common problem, and one that is of enormous frustration to owners. Fortunately, most toilet problems can usually be rapidly resolved.
Destructive behaviour, such as chewing at furniture, doors, electrical cables, digging up plants shrubs, flowerbeds, etc. can incur enormous expense for the owners. Destructive behaviour occurs for a number of reasons, and is also highly resolvable in the majority of cases.
A range of behaviours such as pulling excessively on the lead, refusing to come back when called (particularly if the dog escapes out the front door!), continually looking for a game/ a rub/ to be let out/let in, stealing food from worktops, chasing vehicles, mounting inappropriate objects, (such as the owners leg) are all behaviours which are treated during our weekly clinics.
What type of behaviour problems does the animal behaviour clinic address in cats?
Indoor Soiling: Cats frequently eliminate (urinate, defecate) and spray urine outside of litter trays, often against and on furnishings, on carpets or other floor coverings.
Aggression: Aggression can be displayed towards other cats in the household, towards the owners, often at a high level and with very little warning.
Scratching and urine spraying: often carried out as a form of marking, but becomes problematic when carried out indoor surfaces such as furniture.
Excessive self grooming, often caused by stress, can result in loss of hair and developing bald patches on the cat’s body.
Excessive vocalization, changes in patterns of social behaviour and a range of other behaviour changes can indicate an underlying problem that needs to be resolved.
Horses
Major advances have been made in recent years in the area of studying horse psychology and learning. Techniques used in horse training can now be assessed in a more scientific manner, and replaced, where necessary, with approaches which make better use of the horse’s learning abilities. The result is more efficient training as the horse progresses more rapidly with lower levels of stress and the use of techniques which align more closely with what is known about the learning capabilities and limitations of the horse.
We offer consultations on a range of problematic behaviours in the horse.
Problem behaviours addressed in the handled horse include:
Loading problems / Barging / Difficulties being caught / Pulling back when tied
Problem behaviours addressed in the ridden horse include:
Lack of response to leg aids / Tension / Bucking / Rearing / Refusing jumps / Napping (refusing to go forward) / Spooking (showing fear responses to a range of things) / Rushing fences
Equine Behaviour Consultation
Prior to the initial consultation, you will complete and return a detailed history form or questionnaire, which will give us an outline of your horse’s background, the problems you are experiencing, previous approaches taken to treat the problem and any other relevant details. During the consultation, which lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, this information will be discussed, along with other relevant information gathered during the consultation. This will include information about your horses health, training history, day to day management, nutrition, previous training methods used, etc. We will observe while you are working with your horse both on the ground and under saddle. This will allow us to assess the problems you are having and any factors that may be influencing your horse’s behaviour.
When a diagnosis has been reached, we will outline our findings and recommendations to you. Where time permits, we will demonstrate training methods recommended to overcome the problem behaviours you are experiencing. A written outline of recommendations will be given to you following your consultation.
We also offer seminars, workshops and clinics, where owners can attend with their horse for more in-depth education on how the horse’s mind works and why problems develop. Content includes: Individual or group lessons, often with top level riders and trainers, seminars outlining the latest scientific developments in the area of training horses.
Telephone Phone
(00353) 087-2641762
Email: info@animalbehaviourclinic.ie
Website: www.animalbehaviourclinic.ie